NEW YORK -- Jets players have to wait until April 16, the start of their offseason program, to learn new offensive coordinator Tony Sparano's system and see how the team plans to use new addition Tim Tebow.
But even without any coaching yet, it's clear the Jets plan to get back to ground-and-pound under Sparano. Starting running back Shonn Greene is as excited as anyone.
"I'm looking forward to it a lot," Greene said yesterday at the unveiling of the new Nike uniforms in Brooklyn. "Seeing how Miami did things (under Sparano), running the ball a lot -- obviously I'm a running back, that’s a good thing. Just looking for a brand new fresh start and some new things."
Last year, the Jets veered from their run-first approach early on, only to make a shift a few weeks into the season. Greene got off to a slow start but built steam through the year toward his first 1,000-yard season. Asked if there's anything he can do to get off to a faster start, he said simply, "Get the ball. Just get the ball."
Greene expects to learn new run schemes with Sparano and new offensive line coach Dave DeGuglielmo, who also comes from the Dolphins.
"It just gives me a chance to help the team out a little bit more than past experiences," Greene said. "Putting the ball a little bit more in my hands, so I can do what I do, and also helping our other runners as far as Joe McKnight and Bilal (Powell). Helping them get the ball, too, so it’s a good thing."
Right now, Greene is the veteran in a running backs room that includes him, McKnight, Powell and fullback John Conner. That's a change from his first three seasons, when Greene learned from veterans Thomas Jones and LaDainian Tomlinson.
Tomlinson is not expected to return to the Jets after two seasons with the team. Greene agreed, saying, "that’s what it’s looking like," so he's preparing to be the leader of the room.
"It’s going to (be different) for the simple fact that these past years I had somebody kind of there that was more experienced and knew the ropes, and now it’s looking like it’s just going to be me," said Greene, who has exchanged texts with Tomlinson this offseason. "But we have faith in Joe McKnight and Bilal, so we look forward to showing our talents. Especially the young guys, Joe and Bilal. They’ve got a lot to show."
He added: "I think what we have right now, we are more than capable of getting the job done."
Greene was one of the players who ran the Wildcat for the Jets last season, including one play which yielded a 9-yard touchdown in a win against the Redskins. Tebow will now take over as the Wildcat quarterback, and Greene thinks Tebow's package will benefit the team and put more pressure on opposing defenses.
"I think it will be good," he said. "We did it a little bit last year. Against Washington, it did very well with direct snap and stuff like that. We have the athletes for it, and now we've got Tim. He's very experienced in that field, so it will be a good look for us."
Greene thinks it can be effective even if used as many as 20 times per game, as Ryan has suggested. Sparano's success with the Wildcat in Miami in 2008 and 2009 made Greene a believer. And Ryan's affinity for the Wildcat is no secret, particularly after he asked former offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer to use more Wildcat plays in that Redskins game late last season.
"I think Rex is a big fan of just trying to come up with some tricky plays, period," Greene said. "There's been a couple times he's called some things, and he's tried to put some things in. That’s his twist, he likes tricky plays."
Greene has not yet met Tebow, but he's heard he's a good guy and believes he'll help the Jets win some games this season. Greene also backed starter Mark Sanchez and can't see why he and Tebow won't be able to coexist.
"Why not? Why wouldn’t they be able to?" Greene said. He added: "(Sanchez) is just going to go as he did the past three years, keep working hard, and being our quarterback."
And as for everything that comes with Tebow -- the attention some Jets teammates said would create a circus-like atmosphere -- Greene said, "I don't worry about Tebow at all."
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Ryan has said this offseason that he plans to tone down his style, after coming up empty on last year's Super Bowl guarantee. Greene disagreed with Ryan that the guarantee put undue pressure on the team, but he's skeptical Ryan will stick to his vow.
"Knowing Rex, I'm not buying it," he said. "That just wouldn’t be Rex."
Does he ever think the Jets should simply "shut up and play"?
"At times I did, but it’s just our personality," Greene said. "That’s our team, and that’s how we are built. That’s how it is going to be, and we’ve just got to put it up to ourselves to get the job done after we talk."
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Owner Woody Johnson did not rule out a return to HBO's "Hard Knocks," which Greene said he'd be fine with.
"Hey, if that’s what Woody wants to do, we’ll do it," he said. "I don’t think it played a major role in hurting us or anything like that. It’s just cameras there, we are still going to go through what we do."
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Patriots receiver Wes Welker didn't have a strong opinion on the Jets trading for Tebow.
"Really not too much of a reaction at all," he said at the uniform unveiling. "People get traded all the time."
Unlike Patriots teammate Rob Gronkowski, he didn't deem Tebow the Jets' starting quarterback just yet.
"He's a great player, so like all good players that go to new teams, you never really know how it will affect it," he said. "But he's a good player, and a great competitor, and I'm sure he’ll do some things up there."
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