National Football League

Jets expect Tebow to play 20 snaps

Published Mar. 25, 2012 1:00 a.m. ET

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New York Jets coach Rex Ryan expects quarterback Tim Tebow to be far more involved than regular NFL backups, saying Sunday that the new recruit could play up to 20 snaps per game.

"Tim is going to be a major contributor to our football team," Ryan told the NFL Network.

"With the Wildcat specifically, the great thing is you don't know if we're going to run it one snap a game or 20 snaps a game -- you have no idea. Every week it could be different. That's some of the preparation problems he gives you."

The comments came a day before the Jets hold a massive press conference to introduce the former Broncos star and on the same day owner Woody Johnson defended the trade as a football-only move, insisting it was no publicity stunt.

Asked why the team decided to take the unusual step of holding a press conference for a backup quarterback, Johnson said, "It's basically in response to the news media that wants to follow it. It's an interesting story, I guess, and they want to do that."

Johnson did, however, concede that the arrival of Tebow -- an extraordinary athlete, personality and bona fide marketing phenomenon -- did bring a certain panache to the NFL franchise, FOX Sports reported.

"He'll be a good addition for the team," Johnson added Sunday at The Breakers hotel in Palm Beach, Fla., where NFL owners have gathered for their annual meetings.

"From a football standpoint, he adds flexibility, versatility, he's a great athlete -- he's a big athlete. He can do a lot of things besides play quarterback."

The Jets acquired Tebow and a seventh-round pick from the Broncos on Wednesday for their fourth- and sixth-rounder in this year's draft.

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