Jets Hard Knocks: Timsanity and HBO Would Ruin Rex Ryan's Season Before It Began

You could smell the Hard Knocks pitch as soon as the New York Jets trade for Tim Tebow became official.

As Joe Namath said last month, the Jets of late seem to be disturbingly hungry for publicity. They traded for Tebow shortly after signing quarterback Mark Sanchez to a new contract in a move that few could understand. Back then, Namath told ESPN New York 1050, "I do not agree with this situation. I can't agree with it. I just think it's a publicity stunt. I really think it's wrong."

If he thought that was bad, what would he think about New York headlining the HBO show for the second time?

On Tuesday, Jets owner Woody Johnson said he's heard rumblings that HBO is interested in featuring the team for its training camp documentary, and he isn't ruling it out, according to NBC New York's Richard Rosenblatt. Johnson added that the Jets haven't gotten a "formal invitation," but "when we do, we will take a look at it."

Sure, the Jets can offer HBO a fantastic storyline heading into the 2012 season. Coming off a very disappointing 2011, they have awarded one of the most polarizing players in the sport the coveted position of backup quarterback, much to the concern of the starter.

Yes, watching Tebow and Sanchez duke it out in training camp would be great TV that any football fan would love to see. I would love to see it. But is it a good decision for the Jets?

A hundred percent no. It may be the worst possible decision they could make at this point.

Things would be different if the Jets were coming off a championship season (or even a winning season). It would be different if their performance last year was promising, but it wasn't. The Jets went 8-8 and failed to make the playoffs, and while the Giants went on to win the Super Bowl, the Jets competed for headlines by making a strange trade for a backup quarterback and by fueling suspicion that they will be part of a glorified reality show.

There is no way this show could be good for either Sanchez or Tebow. Sanchez, most likely, is anxious enough as it is. Despite the team's insistence that Tebow has been acquired solely to fill a backup role, the Jets could not possibly justify keeping him on the bench all season if he outperforms Sanchez in training camp.

Sanchez already has that mess to deal with. He certainly doesn't want to do it in front of a camera crew.

The last thing New York needs right now is HBO following it around. There is already going to be enough media attention, speculation and controversy as it is. First and foremost, the Jets need to concentrate on finding a way to win this season and stake their claim as the beasts of the AFC East.

Once they get that taken care of, they can start thinking about the incredibly important question of whether or not to participate in reality shows.