Tebow still rooting for struggling Sanchez

Tim Tebow threw his first official pass as a New York Jet Sunday and — if you think the nine-yard completion whetted his appetite for more — he isn't letting on.

The Jets backup made another sporadic appearance in Jets green and white and — despite the 34-0 loss to the San Francisco 49ers and starter Mark Sanchez's abysmal outing — Tebow is not going to fan the flames of the Jets quarterback controversy.

"I just want to do the best I can with whatever role that they give me, provide enthusiasm and energy every time I get the opportunity, but also from the sidelines or wherever am," Tebow said.  "I'll be a good teammate, encourage guys and when, given opportunities , just try and make the most of them."

If Tebow sounds like a broken record, it's because he has been singing that same refrain since he was traded to the Jets and he is still behind the team starting Sanchez.

Still, the sight of Colin Kaepernick being used six times in the 49ers' Wildcat formation and running for a touchdown must have had Tebow chomping at the bit.  But he knows it's head coach Rex Ryan's call.

And it sounds as if Sanchez's third straight sub-par performance — culminating with yesterday's 13-for-29 for 103 yards and an interception fiasco — won't change Ryan's mind about using Tebow.

"I don't think that's the answer," Ryan said of then potential quarterback switch.  "I think Mark's the answer at quarterback.  But time will tell."

That's a big "but."

It's impossible to gauge the effect Tebow's little used Wildcat will have on the Jets.  Yesterday, he completed his nine-yard pass to TE Dedrick Epps, who fumbled it and hurt his knee on the play.  Tebow gained two yards on one play and he was sacked in the shotgun for a loss on another. Not exactly Kaepernick Wildcat numbers but Tebow did end up with a QB rating of 104.2.  Huh?

As for his role on the Jets offense,  Tebow insists he will do anything it takes to help Sanchez.

"It's a supporter, a friend, someone that obviously we've been competing every day, but our relationship is a lot deeper than just that," said Tebow.  "You root him on, you encourage him ... whatever I have to do to help him, I'm going to do it."

That noise you hear under the chants of "Tebow-Tebow" is the sound of Tebow singing Kumbaya all alone.