Bart Scott Talks Tebow and the State of the Jets

Dec 18, 2011; Philadelphia, PA, USA; New York Jets inside linebacker Bart Scott (57) on the bench against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: William Perlman/The Star-Ledger via US PRESSWIRE

The Mad Backer, Bart Scott, was at the Tribeca Film Festival, and Newsday was able to get a few minutes with Bart to talk Tebow, and the Jets. Here are some highlights:

On the state of the Jets:

“I think we underachieved, and I think thats an understatement, but I think we have a tremendous team and the talent is still there. Were still the team that went to AFC Championship Games two years in a row. We just have to refocus. I told everybody about sometimes when all you know is success you need failure to have a fear of failure and a lot of our young players came in and all they knew was winning and they thought going to the AFC Championship Game you just wake up, put your pants on and it happens.

“I think we didnt have as big a sense of urgency as we needed because whenever we got in a tight crunch we always found a way to get in the playoffs, and thats all we needed. We knew once we got into the playoffs we could strike fire because it becomes a one-game season. Now guys understand, and now theyre mature in the aspect of the fear of losing and fear of walking around the whole offseason being doubted and hearing bad things written about you and people saying you cant do it and I think hunger is there because now people want to prove other people wrong. But now they understand just how special it is to go to the AFC Championship.”

On whether Tebow can help:

“One hundred percent. First of all hes a tremendous individual, and secondly I think he fills a void for us with the Brad Smith role. I think its something that was missing in our offense last year, the threat of that. Teams have to prepare for that and I think were going to teach him how to expand that offense under Tony Sparano, who specialized in it, then with the work weve already done with it in previous years that merges together with a talent like that.

On whether he looks forward to showing people he still has something left in his tank:

“Of course. Its been a lot of questions and a lot of things said about me this offseason, and come opening day Ill answer those questions.”

He is certainly saying the right things. It seems like Bart has the right attitude coming into 2012, which is a change from last year.