Hall of Famer Joe Namath doesn’t think Jets backup Tim Tebow has the skills to be the starter for the team. (Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images)

Hall of Famer Joe Namath is hoping New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez stay healthy the entire season, because he can’t imagine backup Tim Tebow taking the reins.

Namath once again said Tebow has a great work ethic, but questions his skills and doesn’t think Tebow is even a suitable back-up.

“God forbid something happens to Sanchez. See, this is where I’m confused. I don’t think the second guy really is Tebow,” Namath told ESPN.com.

Tebow had only 11 yards on five carries in the Jets opening day blowout of the Buffalo Bills and has completed 47 percent of his passes over his career.

“I don’t think he can consistently play the quarterback position as we know it as opposed to the Wildcat without improving his passing accuracy,” Namath said of Tebow. “You’ve got to be more accurate than that today, and Tim’s got a big motion. He’s working on it, and he can improve it. So that remains to be seen.”

It had been hours — nay, days — since we’d heard Joe Namath open his mouth and fire away, so this was long overdue: The former New York Jets quarterback is not a fan of bringing in the newest New York Jets quarterback. Namath wasn’t on board with the Jets’ trade yesterday for Tim Tebow.

“I think it stinks,” Namath told USA Today.

Namath has long defended Jets starter Mark Sanchez as the team’s franchise quarterback going forward, standing up for the much-scrutinized QB even when rumors surfaced of replacing him with Peyton Manning. Namath thought Sanchez’s job was secure when the team signed Sanchez to a $40.5 million extension two weeks ago, but now the Tebow trade has thrown him for a loop.

“That’s not a pat on the back. That’s a slap in the face,” Namath said. “If I were there, I’d be pissed off about it. Still go to work and try to make things work, but not be happy about it.”

The Jets have said publicly that Sanchez will be their starter going forward, and Tebow is only a backup. Namath supports that decision, saying he still thinks the former USC Trojan has what it takes despite a disappointing 2011.

“I believe Sanchez will be good enough, and is good enough, to lead them to a championship,” Namath said. “But it takes more than just a QB.”

There’s a growing sentiment in the tri-state area that Peyton Manning should be the next quarterback of the New York Jets, but that sentiment is far from unanimous. Jets legend Joe Namath says the team should stick with Mark Sanchez, according to Metro New York.

“These guys — the Jets — thought Sanchez was a championship quarterback,” Namath said. “Has that suddenly changed now? I haven’t heard that. Let them come out and say it. I haven’t heard that, and I don’t think they should.”

Sanchez completed just 56.7 percent of his passes last season and threw 18 interceptions, leading to a disappointing 2011. The Jets went 8-8 and missed the playoffs for the first time in Sanchez’s career.

But Namath wants to stick with Sanchez, who was the No. 5 overall pick in the 2009 draft and led the Jets to two AFC title games in his first two seasons.

“Mark’s going to be around a while,” the former QB said. “His demeanor was angry last year with all the things going on behind the scenes. His feelings were clearly hurt. I hope they work through all that because I’m rooting for him. I don’t see Peyton coming to the Jets.”

Legendary New York Jets quarterback Joe Namath said Thursday that he was “stumped” by the hiring of former Miami Dolphins’ coach Tony Sparano as offensive coordinator for the Jets.

“I’m stumped. I am stumped,” Namath said Thursday on 1050 ESPN New York. “Aye, aye, aye, aye. Let’s ask the world: Do you like the choice of Tony Sparano as offensive coordinator?”

Namath made the suggestion that Sparano — who was fired by the Dolphins — only got the job because he was a disciple of Bill Parcells.

“This is the football fraternity, the coaching fraternity, the GMs, with their friends and all,” Namath said. “That’s basically what I think about Tony getting that job. But credentials as an offensive coordinator? I don’t see it. I hope he’s a great one, but I don’t see it.”