Jets new GM: Sanchez will be competing for QB job

At Thursday's press conference to introduce John Idzik as the New York Jets new general manager, the  incoming GM didn't comment specifically on any Jets player.  But later, on ESPN Radio, it sounded like Idzik had some good news and some bad news for Mark Sanchez.

The positive news for Sanchez — it doesn't sound like you're going to be put on the trading block.

On the flip side for last year's starting quarterback — you're going to have to fight for that same position next season.

Speaking on "The Michael Kay Show," Idzik said Sanchez will be back as part of quarterback competition.

"We're going to bring in competition," said Idzik.  "Mark is a competitor.  He's not adverse to competition.  He'll probably welcome it.  It will make everybody better and that will be our direction."

Jets head coach Rex Ryan took the more direct approach about his fifth-year quarterback.

"I believe Mark needs to erase his hard drive," said Ryan.

Sanchez had a miserable season (18 INTs) and the Jets finished 6-10 but Ryan thinks Sanchez must be chomping at the bit at the prospect of working with a pass-oriented offense with new offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg.

"He's got to be popping out of his skin, as any quarterback would," said Ryan.

The Jets still have Greg McElroy and Tim Tebow under contract behind Sanchez and his $8.25 million guaranteed contract in 2013 but Idzik said all personnel would be evaluated with an eye on cap space.  By the way, Sanchez's deal was orchestrated by ousted GM Mike Tannenbaum.

The Jets could take a shot at Matt Flynn — the backup on Idzik's former Seahawks team — or possibly the 49ers' new second-teamer Alex Smith, both who could put the pressure on Sanchez and maybe take his starting job.

Ryan sounds excited about trading in his ground-and-pound offense for a more streamlined run-and-gun attack.

"I can't wait to get out there and see how our offense will look," said Ryan. "Will it look different? Yes it will."

For some reason, it sounds like bad news for Sanchez.

Kaepernicking craze is the new Tebowing

Tebowmania is so last season.  Planking is so last year.  Kaepernicking is what's sweeping cyberspace now.

In the wake of the San Francisco 49ers 45-31 victory over the Green Bay Packers Saturday night comes Colin Kaepernick's touchdown celebration and the birth of a new Internet craze.

The 49ers quarterback's new ritual of flexing his right arm and kissing his bicep has taken off on social media and growing.

Kaepernick's new signature move came after his explosive 56-yard TD run during his record-setting playoff debut.




Several 49ers fans have posted pictures of themselves Kaepernicking at work, at bars or any other space where you can fit an iPhone and bend your elbow.

An Instagram site was started and it shows some Kaepernickers have even gotten their pets and toddlers involved.

If the pose looks familiar, it should.  It's been done by everyone from Metta World Peace to every pro wrestler since Hulk Hogan but is getting a wider audience.

Hello Pistol offense, goodbye Wildcat.  Just don't sign with the Jets.

Oh wait, that's Alex Smith.

Jim Harbaugh: I thought entire team 'competed like maniacs'

Colin Kaepernick kicked off his NFL playoff career with flying colors Saturday and — after the 49ers quarterback shredded the Packers defense for 181 yards on the ground and 263 through the air — head coach Jim Harbaugh finally had good reason to stop his hand-wringing about replacing Alex Smith with his record-setting QB.

If Harbaugh was breathing easy about making the right choice with his precocious new quarterback and the 45-31 victory, he wasn't gloating about it after the game.

As the 49ers prepare to face the winner of the Seahawks-Falcons game in the NFC Championship Game next Sunday, a solemn Harbaugh gave credit to the entire Niners squad and said it was a "great team victory" and that they "competed like maniacs," at his postgame presser.

Harbaugh is in the NFC title game for the second straight year, and it gives him a chance to meet his big brother, Ravens coach John Harbaugh, in the Super Bowl if everything falls in place.

Asked at what point he found out his brother had won his game against the Broncos, the 49ers coach tried to brush off the hypothetical question but said, "Somewhere in the first quarter, I believe...

"We want to study for the (NFC Championship Game) test," he added.

49ers' Colin Kaepernick scores Wildcat TD against Jets

San Francisco 49ers backup quarterback, Colin Kaepernick, scored his first NFL touchdown by surprising the New York Jets with a Tim Tebow-style Wildcat play.

The Jets head coach, Rex Ryan, the Wildcat's biggest advocate, had been touting the possible challenges his Tebow-led Wildcat would cause opposing teams ever since the former Broncos QB arrived in the Jets camp this summer.

Ironically, Ryan's own defense didn't look ready for the scheme and the Jets ended up being the opposing team in this instance.

The rarely used Kaepernick, a second-year backup, ran the ball in for the seven-yard touchdown to give the 49ers a 7-0 first quarter lead after an eight play, 68-yard drive engineered by starter Alex Smith.

Kaepernick, who has a total of four pass attempts under his NFL belt, came in for Smith for a couple of formations during the game and out-Wildcatted Ryan and his Jets.  The 49ers blockers cleared a nice path for their QB after he took the snap and scooted left.  The Jets' D looked like it had never seen anyone run it before.

On the other side of MetLife Stadium, Tebow threw his first pass as a Jet.  It was complete to Dedrick Epps but fumbled by the tight end.

The 49ers took a 10-0 lead into the locker room at halftime.

Tebow working on mechanics with pitching guru Tom House

New York Jets quarterback Tim Tebow continues to build on his reputation as the hardest working man in football after spending time with former major league pitcher Tom House to correct his throwing mechanics.

Tebow— who has been unrelentingly criticized for his unorthodox throwing motion— spent five days last week working with House at a University of Southern California facility.  The innovative House— who has a doctorate in psychology and is known as a wizard in correcting athlete's arm mechanics— is a volunteer pitching coach for the Trojans and has worked with other NFL quarterbacks in the past including— Drew Brees, Tom Brady and Alex Smith.

It looks like Tebow has now taken his Jets future out of the hands of God and placed it under the bespectacled-eyes of a guru.

House told ESPN that he thinks Tebow "is getting better, but the proof is in the pudding.  Being here at USC is different than being with the New York Jets."

The 65-year old House— a former major league pitcher with the Braves, Red Sox and Mariners in the 70's— uses a 3D video analysis in coordination with traditional training drills to fix any inconsistencies in a player's throwing motion.

The left-handed House must have had his work cut out for himself with the southpaw Tebow, but we'll have to wait and see if his tinkering was a success.  The media was not allowed to watch the pair work out together as per the quarterback's request.

Tebow will be joining the Jets in Cortland, N.Y. Thursday when training camp opens.  His wildcat style is expected to play a significant role in the offense backing up starter Mark Sanchez— including handling most of the downs inside the red zone.