Former four-time Pro Bowl quarterback Jeff Garcia has some advice for New York Jets general manager John Idzik: Cut quarterback Tim Tebow loose. And do it now.
"If there's going to be competition at the position, it's not going to come from Tim Tebow," Garcia told USA Today on Thursday. "Having Tebow there (last season) just became more of a distraction, more of a circus show ... from an outsider looking in, having Tebow there doesn't bring anything positive. It just brings distraction."
Garcia played under Jets offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg and has been working out and tutoring quarterback Mark Sanchez the past four weeks.
"For Mark, the main competition is going to be with David Garrard and Greg McElroy," said Garcia, who hinted Tebow has only provided "artificial competition" for Sanchez in his role as a backup.
Let's slow down here a minute.
Tebow never was a viable option, few deny this and most expect at some point he'll become a former Jet. But does Garcia really think a 35-year-old quarterback coming off injury who hasn't thrown a regular-season pass in two seasons and a former seventh-round draft pick with 19 career completions can offer legitimate competition?
2013 NFL Draft: Team needs
Our analysts examine each team's game plan entering the NFL draft, identifying biggest needs, potential fits and more. **More ...**
Sanchez's struggles weren't Tebow's fault or any other backup, past or present. Sanchez's struggles came from poor decision making, terrible throws and an inability to avoid his teammates' backsides.
Garcia's knowledge of the West Coast offense could be a boon for Sanchez, but his personal success or failure in this salient season will have nothing to do with who is or isn't holding a clipboard on the Jets' sideline.
Follow Kevin Patra on Twitter @kpatra.