Here’s some more fun from ESPN’s chat on the NFL yesterday. Thanks again to zenlaw for digging this up.

Justin (Queens, NY): Have you heard/read anything on Kellen Clemens progression? I live in the sports media mecca of the world and haven’t seen a thing on him.

Eric Edholm: Right now, New York people are geeked about a different Clemens … Jets are still pleased with Kellen. They gave him a couple shots at the No. 2 spot at the end of the year, and they expect him to fill that role this year. You can almost bank on Pennington getting hurt, so he could play. All systems still go on Clemens.

Brian Bassett: Sure it’s quiet regarding Kellen Clemens, but that’s to be expected when any rumor was put to bed early in the offseason because of the announcement on Pennington being the starter in 2007. The media doesn’t really gravitate towards stories like that since it’s hard to sell papers on backups with no scandal. I don’t have any “scoop” here, but here’s what comes to mind regarding Clemens: (1) The passing over of Brady Quinn is a clear indication that they think Clemens is the QB of their future. (2) The release of Patrick Ramsey, was a telltale sign that they would like him spend more time understanding the offense, rather than running the scout team this coming season. (3) Clemens had stated that at the end of last season his head was swimming. He needs at least another year to digest and understand how an offense works to be the heady QB they want him to be. The hiring of QB Coach Brian Daboll will stabilize the offense independent of Schottenheimer’s tenure with the team, so his work won’t eventually be in vain. Barring injury to Pennington, I think the earliest Clemens hits the field fulltime would be in 2008, but that will depend on Pennington.

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Mike(NYC): What are your thoughts on the Jets bringing back former 1st round bust Andre Wadsworth? Do you think he will make the team?

Eric Edholm: Probably not. I’d love to see it, but he’s a strange fit in a 3-4 and is years removed from playing.

Brian Bassett: 6′4 270 is a bad size for an OLB? Really? Gosh I thought that exactly what 3-4 teams are looking for! Wadsworth ran a 4.40 at his Combine in 1998 … but that was 1998 … however many surgeries ago and six years from even playing ago … has he kept any of that speed? How quick does he play with pads on? I think Wadsworth might surprise, and he has the character for which Mangini looks. Beyond that, it’s possible there is a sliver of space for him on the roster, but I think a lot will do with whether Barton is on the team by the beginning of camp, and how well UDFA Mark Zalewski performs, who should be in the running for a roster spot, if not a practice squad spot.

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