In minds of NY Jets fans, Tim Tebow looks like No. 1 quarterback, not starter ... - New York Daily News

Ron Antonelli/New York Daily News

All eyes are on Tim Tebow - who isn't exactly your typical backup - at Jets minicamp.

As Tim Tebow and Mark Sanchez walked slowly toward the far side of the field to sign autographs on Wednesday, you realized immediately the illogic of Tedy Bruschi’s advice. Tebow cannot disappear, cannot behave like a polite little backup, as ESPN analyst Bruschi suggested this week. Nobody will let him vanish, even if he wished. The fans by the long, low white fence were chanting for No. 15 on Wednesday, not for No. 6, and there was little that Tebow could do but sign their papers and jerseys.

“I can’t help him with that,” Tebow said, of Bruschi’s suggestion. “That (disappearing) would be pretty hard. Nothing I can do to change it. I try not to let it bother me.”

There is never much Tebow can do about any of this, about his own strange, overwhelming phenomenon. His passes are wobbly, still, and they are not always on target. He is practicing obediently with the Jet scrubs during minicamp sessions, except for a couple of teasing snaps with the A-Team at the close of practice. He is conferring with coaches, hoping to get some idea what Tony Sparano and Rex Ryan want from him, when they are being purposely vague. He is joking with Sanchez, picking his brain.

But disappear? He is no magician, just a pied piper.

“To be honest, I do what I’m told,” Tebow told the cameras and recorders. “And I was told to talk to you. I’m here talking to you, cause that’s what they wanted. That’s something you’d think (Bruschi) would understand.”

Tebow’s singular presence is not always easy to comprehend or explain, however. During 11-on-11s on Wednesday, Sanchez was clearly the superior quarterback. When Tebow underthrew a receiver just 10 yards away, one frustrated fan screamed from the sideline, “C’mon Tim! Holy crap!”

And yet . . . most everybody out there seemed to be rooting for the guy with the stubbornly persistent smile and the unlimited supply of axioms.

“I don’t know my future but I know who holds my future. That’s something,” Tebow said.

He didn’t elaborate on that one. Secular analysts might theorize Tebow was referring to Ryan, though probably not. In any case, Ryan greatly enjoys Tebow’s variety of cheerleading.

Ron Antonelli/New York Daily News

Allegiances between Mark Sanchez and Tim Tebow are divided for 13-year-old Jets fan Vanessa Cirino.

The coach had expressed disappointment in the lack of sheer enthusiasm and joy demonstrated by the offense during drills on Tuesday. Ryan saw more of that on Wednesday, especially from Tebow.

Always from Tebow.

It can’t be all that easy for the former Bronco, even if he draws a large smiley face on everything. Every once in a while, Tebow allows a small sampling of unedited ambition to trip off his tongue â€" like when he talks about working with the backups.

“If you do a good job with them, you should do an even better job with the 1’s,” Tebow said, explaining his motivation.

The Jets’ schedule this season, by coincidence, appears almost manufactured as if to sabotage Sanchez and elevate Tebow. The first half is difficult, with games against the Steelers, Niners, Texans and Pats. Then it turns very soft, which might allow Tebow to turn things around quickly if given the opportunity.

Will he get that chance? It might well depend on whether the Jets are 3-4 or 2-5 after seven games. Tebow wasn’t shown the script when he signed up for this wacky team.

“I didn’t know what to expect, to be honest,” Tebow said. “But it’s been fun. I tried to make the best of it. The locker room’s been great, supportive of one another. Everyone’s been encouraging.”

He’s ready. So is Sanchez, who looks readier at the moment. Both men have gained muscle in the offseason. Tebow will play at around 250 pounds this year, 10 pounds heavier than with the Broncos. He’ll loom large, no matter what.

“I’ll give my heart and soul, even when I’m on the sideline,” he promised.

He won’t disappear, though, no matter what Bruschi says. Tebow won’t shut up unless the Jets order his mouth closed, and that would be very bad for business.