►THE NFL TODAY’S BOOMER ESIASON SAT DOWN WITH N.Y. JETS QUARTERBACK TANDEM MARK SANCHEZ AND TIM TEBOW

THE NFL TODAY’s Boomer Esiason sits down with two of the most talked about players in the off-season, New York Jets quarterbacks Mark Sanchez and Tim Tebow.  To view complete interview, click and go to CBSSports.com: http://www.cbssports.com/video/player/play/nfl/JNGReetsifU

(Reaction to Sanchez-Tebow)

BOOMER ESIASON:  Two great kids and it's hard to root against one or the other.  I still believe Tim Tebow is in the wrong place for the wrong team.  And simply because it's the New York media.  It has become a circus around here, as you know.  And I do believe this is a referendum on Mark Sanchez.  I also recognize he is angry.  He doesn't like this.  He won't come out and say it.  But I can feel it.  I can hear it in his words and see it in his body language.  I say they're going to be a playoff team, and I think that he's going to lead them to the playoffs simply because they're going to have one of the best offenses in football, and he knows he has to cut down on the interceptions.

They're not going to cut him (Tebow).  Doesn't matter what I say.  They're going to try to use him effectively.  In a perfect world, Sanchez leads him down to the one-yard line, and Tim Tebow carries it in from there.  And Tim Tebow can be effective.  I just hope that Mark Sanchez gets off to a good start, because if he doesn't, it's going to get ugly.

DAN MARINO:  Here's the problem I have.  They obviously don't have confidence in Sanchez that they brought Tebow in there.  And you look at the GM, Tannenbaum, says you need better quarterback play.  The Coach says that also.  I say why don't they bring in a real traditional quarterback that can push Mark Sanchez? ...If something happens, we don't want to see Mark Sanchez get hurt, but if he does, you're going to be in a wildcat offense.

BILL COWHER:  The quarterback situation will play out.  But the question to me is offensive coordinator. Tony Sparano has not called plays since he was in Dallas…This is his first time calling plays, and the offensive line is in a little bit of shambles.  So all the focus is on the quarterbacks, but there are a lot of moving parts to this whole offense.  

SHANNON SHARPE:  The Jets offense last year had the fourth-highest three-and-outs; the Broncos, the second-highest three-and-outs. Completion percentage: Mark Sanchez 56%; Tim Tebow, 45%.  My grandfather used to say two bad cooks shouldn't open a restaurant; two bad quarterbacks shouldn't be on the same football team.

 ► QUICK HITS

(On Tennessee starting Jake Locker)  

DAN MARINO: I totally disagree in starting Jake Locker as their quarterback in the beginning of the season.  You look at their team last year, Matt Hasselbeck went 97.  They were very close to the playoffs.  They feel like because all these other quarterbacks around the league are starting and they're #1 picks that they've got to start him.  I don't think he's quite ready yet and didn't earn it. You think about t they have to play New England, San Diego, Detroit and Houston.  With this young quarterback, they could be 04 and not in the playoffs.

(On replacement referees)

BILL COWHER: I would tell my offensive line and my DBs to get handsy.  I would use my hands.  I would push the envelope a little bit on the rules.  I would make them make the call.  Be ready to adjust, but I would make them have to make some calls.

(On Peyton Manning)

SHANNON SHARPE:  I expect him to be Peyton Manning.  I expect him to be great.  Looking at him in the third preseason game against the San Francisco 49ers with every team game plan, he looks exceptionally strong.  They talked about he was having trouble throwing the ball to the righthand side.  I didn't see any of that.  I don't know that he'll ever be the quarterback that's going to throw for almost 5,000 yards and 48 touchdowns.  But 4,000 plus, 40 touchdowns, he can get to the high end.  

►“INSIDE THE NFL” WITH JASON LA CANFORA

(On New Orleans Saints)

LA CANFORA: In 2010 there were allegations that the team had basically overlooked or covered up the misuse of Vicodin by team employees at their team headquarters.  According to my sources, the DEA has investigated this thoroughly, and feel like they have compelling evidence against the Saints.  And this case has reached a point where federal authorities are working with the team to try to come up with a civil settlement to end the matter.  That would likely include steep fines and penalties, maybe six-figure penalties.  The DA takes this very seriously.  I asked the Saints for comments on my report.  And they just said it's an ongoing, highly classified case. But it sounds like more bad off-field news for them upcoming this season.

Click on to view: http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/video/nfl-on-cbs/uzouhsRV0zdl

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