From the moment he entered the NFL, Tim Tebow has sought advice on his throwing mechanics from various quarterback gurus.
It's probably safe to eliminate Jeff Garcia from a list of potential teachers.
The former NFL quarterback, who has spent the past few weeks introducing New York Jets incumbent Mark Sanchez to the West Coast offense, blasted Tebow -- a Jets backup -- in an interview with USA Today.
Garcia said the Jets should release or trade Tebow before Monday, the start of the team's offseason program.
"If there's going to be competition at the quarterback position, it's not going to come from Tim Tebow," Garcia told the newspaper in San Diego, where he works as a quarterback instructor. "Having Tebow there [last season] just became a distraction, more of a circus show.
"It's their decision, but from an outsider looking in, having Tebow there doesn't bring anything positive. It just brings distraction. For Mark, the main competition is going to be David Garrard and Greg McElroy."
Tebow said Friday at the Tim Tebow Foundation Celebrity Gala & Golf Classic at the TPC Sawgrass that he will attend the Jets' voluntary workouts.
"Yeah, I'll be there Monday ready to work out and have a great attitude," he said.
The Jets have been trying to trade Tebow, a nonfactor last season, but no team has publicly acknowledged any interest in the popular backup. If they can't trade him before or during the draft, the Jets are expected to release him.
The Jets have declared the quarterback position an open competition. Sanchez has held the starting job for four years, but he regressed last season and was benched for the first time in his career.
Looking to add competition, they signed Garrard, who hasn't played since 2010. They also could draft a quarterback.
"It's nothing I can control and like I've said ever since I was at Nease High School, I really try not to worry about what I can't control," Tebow said Friday. "Just try to have the best attitude, have the best effort, a great work ethic and so far this offseason has been a lot of fun. Been my best yet."
The new offensive coordinator is Marty Mornhinweg, who is installing a West Coast system. Garcia, one of his former quarterbacks, was hired by Sanchez to teach the basic principles, terminology and footwork required of a passer in the offense.
Sanchez, who lives in Orange County, Calif., has been driving to San Diego about twice a week to meet with Garcia. They do some field work, but most of the time is spent in the classroom.
Clearly, Garcia believes his pupil would be better off if Tebow isn't around when Sanchez rejoins his teammates next week.
"When you're a quarterback, you don't need artificial competition, and it's not fair to Tim to put him through that," Garcia said. "If there's a place for Tim that gives him a chance to be a contributor in an offense with another team, let him go be that guy."
Information from GatorNation's Michael DiRocco was used in this report.