New York Jets

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Former Alabama and New York Jets punter Greg Gantt, who might be best known for having two punts blocked in a 17-16 loss to Auburn in 1972, has died. His sister, Patricia Gantt, said Mr. Gantt died Wednesday of complications of heart disease and diabetes. He was 59. Mr. Gantt led the Southeastern Conference in punting for three seasons from 1971-1973 and also kicked long field goals for the Crimson Tide. He is tied with two other kickers for the longest field goal in Cotton Bowl history, a 50-yarder against Texas in 1973.

In what is almost becoming as predictable as a Super Bowl guarantee from Jets coach Rex Ryan, there were some negative words lobbed from the New York Jets facility toward the Patriots on Thursday. Cornerback Darrelle Revis led the way, and explained why he referred to Bill Belichick as a "jerk" on ESPN a few months ago. "I gave my honest opinion," Revis said. "You guys know me very well. This isn't the first time me speaking what I need to speak about something. I talked about the Randy Moss stuff… It's just how I felt.

By Greg A. Bedard, Globe Staff With the 2011 regular season over, the slate of Patriots' opponents for 2012 have been set. Here are the home and away opponents. HOME Buffalo Bills Miami Dolphins New York Jets Houston Texans Indianapolis Colts San Francisco 49ers Arizona Cardinals Denver Broncos (AFC West winner) AWAY Buffalo Bills Miami Dolphins New York Jets Jacksonville Jaguars Tennessee Titans Seattle Seahawks St. Louis Rams Baltimore Ravens (AFC North winner)

The message was the same from the New York Jets' two quarterbacks: We can do this. And, not only that. Both Mark Sanchez and Tim Tebow think they're going to have lots of fun along the way. A brewing quarterback controversy? Not if you ask them. "I think we'll have a great working relationship," Tebow told the sea of reporters at his introductory news conference Monday. "We talked about that, just supporting one another in our roles. I'm excited about that opportunity.

By Zuri Berry, Globe Staff After 105 games, and Sunday's 30-21 win over the New York Jets, the Patriots and Jets are tied at 52-52-1 in their all-time series. Coach Bill Belichick is 15-8 against the Jets while with the Patriots. Tom Brady is 15-5 against the team's AFC East rivals.

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — NFL veteran offensive lineman Harry Galbreath has died. He was 45. Mr. Galbreath was selected by the Miami Dolphins in the eighth round of the 1988 NFL draft after playing for Tennessee from 1984-87. He spent five seasons with the Dolphins, three with the Green Bay Packers, and one with the New York Jets before retiring. The Clarksville, Tenn., native started for the Vols three seasons.

Tim Tebow is coming to New York. Really. After a big false start, the New York Jets pulled off a Tebow-like comeback Wednesday night, getting the quarterback who turned the Denver Broncos from an also-ran into a playoff team last season and became the NFL's most talked-about player — for a fourth- and sixth-round draft pick. Now, Tebowmania is opening on Broadway. And, there's sure to be plenty of drama — just as there was from the moment the Jets pulled off the deal.

DALLAS -- Former NFL lineman James Parrish, who spent time with 10 teams, died Wednesday of cancer. He was 35. The 6-foot-6, 320-pound offensive tackle out of Temple began his pro career in 1992 with the Miami Dolphins. He also spent time with Indianapolis, San Diego, San Francisco, Dallas, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, the New York Jets, Chicago, and Kansas City. He was a member of two teams that went to the Super Bowl -- the 1994 Cowboys, who beat the Buffalo Bills; and the 1996 Steelers, who lost to the Cowboys.

FOXBOROUGH -- The Patriots have announced the release of linebacker Marques Murrell and wide receiver Jeremy Ross today. The team also officially announced the signing of long snapper James Dearth. Here are some details about Dearth courtesy of the Patriots. Dearth, 6-4, 265 pounds, is a veteran of eleven NFL seasons with the Cleveland Browns (1999), New York Jets (2001-2009) and San Diego Chargers (2011). Originally a sixth round draft pick by the Browns in 1999 out of Tarleton State, Dearth has played in 146 career NFL games with one start.

Bill Hampton Jr., a former executive with the Cleveland Browns and the senior director of Pro Leagues for Under Armour since 2006, died unexpectedly after attending the Espy Awards on Wednesday night. He was 51. Hampton, one of four members of his family to work for an NFL team, was vice president of operations for the Browns from 1999-2006, the team said on its Web site Thursday. No cause of death was given. Bill Hampton Sr. was the New York Jets' equipment manager for more than 40 years.

Say this about Tim Tebow: He's excited to be with the New York Jets. He sure said so — over and over and over again. He started with it. He finished with it. He never allowed anyone to get him off message. If was a deft strategy for defusing those piranhas in the New York media, who surely came with snarling teeth, ready to rip him apart, but got nothing more than how utterly thrilled Tebow was to have been deposed by the team he led to the playoffs last season (that would be the Denver Broncos)

Mark Sanchez found out the New York Jets had acquired Tim Tebow on a conference call with team management. Not at all unusual, coach Rex Ryan says. Nothing to read into it. "Mark's job is to play quarterback, not be the general manager," Ryan told reporters Tuesday at the NFL owners meetings. Ryan explained that if a current Jet "has a history" with a player, there might be discussion about adding that player to New York's roster. That was the case when the Jets drafted running back Joe McKnight, a former teammate of Sanchez at Southern Cal. ...

Sprinkling the infield with a little sunshine, a little rain, and a whole lot of fertilizer ... In the wake of their collapse, beating up on the New York Jets is the fashionable thing to do, just as it was to beat up on the 2011 Red Sox. The teams share some similarities, and they still share them entering their respective 2012 seasons. Which is why neither should be dismissed. Let's start with the Jets, who are now being mocked for being so downright stupid as to take on Tim Tebow, whom they acquired from the Denver Broncos for essentially a...

The quarterback hierarchy has been clearly set by the New York Jets. Mark Sanchez is No. 1. Tim Tebow is No. 2. But how long will it last? In acquiring the popular and electrifying Tebow from Denver, the Jets have created the potential for a really messy situation. Sure, things will be fine when Sanchez, who's expected to show significant progress this season, has his good moments. But whenever he struggles and Tebow comes in and gets the offense moving, the inevitable question will be: Are the Jets better with Tebow in there all the time?

By Tony Massarotti, Globe Columnist Sprinkling the infield with a little sunshine, a little rain, and a whole lot of fertilizer ... In the wake of their collapse, beating up on the New York Jets is the fashionable thing to do, just as it was to beat up on the 2011 Red Sox. The teams share some similarities, and they still share them entering their respective 2012 seasons. Which is why neither should be dismissed. Let's start with the Jets, who are now being mocked for being so downright stupid as to take on Tim Tebow, whom they acquired from...

Florida graduate and lifelong Gators fan Mike Beattie followed every development of the Tim Tebow trade. After it finally ended, his wife turned to him and said, "Do we have to start rooting for the Jets?" "I guess so," he responded. And there it is: the definition of Tebowmania. Many of the same people who adored Tebow during his four years in Gainesville, Fla., followed everything he did in Denver. And now that the quarterback has been traded to the New York Jets, they almost certainly will do the same.

SCARSDALE, N.Y. -- Dr. James Nicholas, whose pioneering work on sports injuries included four operations on Joe Namath's knees, has died of colon cancer at age 85, Lenox Hill Hospital said yesterday. Hospital spokeswoman Barbara Osborn said Dr. Nicholas died Saturday at his Scarsdale home. Dr. Nicholas founded the world's first hospital-based center for the treatment and prevention of sports injuries at Lenox Hill in Manhattan, now known as the Nicholas Institute of Sports Medicine and Athletic Trauma.

Plaxico Burress was back in an NFL game for the first time in nearly three years, and he quickly made the impact he predicted. After a three-catch performance, including a spectacular touchdown grab in a preseason win over Cincinnati, Burress' presence clearly will make the New York Jets' offense more dangerous. Santonio Holmes says the combination of him, Burress and Derrick Mason will make for "a long season for whatever defense comes out to play us. " It was only one game, and in preseason at that, but Burress proved he is healthy and motivated — and still...

Tim Tebow is coming to New York. Really. After a big false start, the New York Jets pulled off a Tebow-like comeback Wednesday night, getting the quarterback who turned the Denver Broncos from an also-ran into a playoff team last season and became the NFL's most talked-about player — for a fourth- and sixth-round draft pick. Now, Tebowmania is opening on Broadway. And, there's sure to be plenty of drama — just as there was from the moment the Jets pulled off the deal.

Forget all that Peyton Manning talk. The Jets are sticking with Mark Sanchez. No hard feelings, either. Sanchez's ego is just fine — and so is his wallet. After New York "looked into" pursuing Manning, Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum announced Friday night that the team extended Sanchez's contract by three years. The move ended speculation the Jets could push him aside to make way for the former Indianapolis Colts star who's now a free agent. "I'm going to be the starting quarterback for the next few years here, and that's exciting,"...