Clemens Calls It An ‘Awesome Competition’
The QB controversy is heating up, and it sounds like it was Pennington’s day to work with the first team. Pennington had called heads before the first day of camp on a coin flip and it landed heads. Pennington seemingly always calls heads, and that might actually be the first time it was heads in the many years he’s been with the team.
The AP has the real story, and I have quips in italics.
Clemens: “Well it’s been clearly communicated, there’s a quarterback controversy right now, an awesome competition.”
Did you just say controversy as a Freudian slip? Awesome indeed, sir.
Clemens: “I used the wrong word on that. It’s a competition. It really is. Some people will try to make it a controversy between Chad and I. It’s a friendly competition.”
Maybe for you it is.
Pennington: “Everyone knows there were discussions [about a trade] at the Combine.”
Well, not to split hairs, but NOW everyone knows. The question is, who was having the discussions, the Jets’ Brass or was it just your agent Tom Condon stirring the pot as usual?
Pennington: “You know what? This is the place for me to be. I feel good about my situation.”
You had better since Condon couldn’t get you out.
29 Responses to Clemens Calls It An ‘Awesome Competition’
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Tom in Raleigh says:
This whole competition thing strikes me as a bit ridiculous. The only thing I feel it shows is a lack of faith in both QB’s. Clemens did not show enough as a starter to earn the job and Chad’s arm is still as strong as a three year olds (but he has a great completion percentage…so what) I hope Clemens wins.
Like I felt about Herm, I always felt that Chad was okay at best. He never seemed to come through big in the big spot.
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ramble914 says:
Jetski,
I’ve heard some really stupid posts here, but yours takes the cake. Sign Chris Simms because he’ll get the calls from the refs? Why, because his father once played in the league? How about a few other important things, like will he ever be fully recovered from a ruputured spleen, does he have what it takes to be a productive NFL QB. IMO he brings nothing different that what we have in KC, minus the health concerns.
I’ve heard you make this rant before, it was ridiculous then and its just as ridiculous now.
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Butch says:
Bring in Brian Griese too.
He also gets the calls because of his dad.
Sorry, couldn’t resist………..
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Fonzie says:
Bassett:
Why is it so hard for some of these guys to understand that unless Kellen walks on water the only smart thing to do is start Pennington. Don’t they realize that of the 70 or so games he’s started only about a third has been without pain. The problem is he NEVER complains and he NEVER wants out. Even last year he couln’t plant fimly because of a very painful high ankle sprain. Even with all his serious injuries he has led us to the playoffs three out of his seven seasons.
The smartest thing to do? The team has worked the hardest and spent the most money ever to field a winning team NOW. By starting Klemens and he doesn’t win right away, how long do they wait before they sarifice all the hard work, their investment and the season. With Chad they can pull him right away and all the options will be covered.
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lf911sc says:
So what you are saying is because Chad has been injured he should start? Why, he’s still got the injury.
Clemens showed enough, he showed pretty much what you would expect a 1st year starter to show. He played well enough to beat the Steelers, Redskins etc, and at times struggled.
To have expected Manning, when Manning didn’t look like Manning in his first year is dumb.
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I don’t understand why it’s a given that Pennington is the “win now” QB — he was 1-7 as a starter last year before getting benched. Clemens, playing behind the same line was 3-5, and was a few drops (vs. Balt & Wash) from going 5-3. Yes, Pennington was hurt, but obviously not so much that he couldn’t play — and a few of those picks he threw had nothing to do with arm strength and everything to do with bad decisions.
That said, I have no problems with a QB competition — if I remember correctly, when Mangini came to town, every position was supposed to be an open competition with the best player playing. Ideally, a competition will push both players to be their best, and the team will reap the benefits.
Now, that being said, I think Pennington would have to be lights out better than Clemens to win it. I realize that’s not fair, but I think everything we’ve seen from Mangini and company tells you that they are going to give Clemens every chance — clearly, they want him to take the reins and solidify the offense, and the team, for years to come.
If Pennington beats him out, then they are in deep trouble, especially having passed on the better QB talent recently. If Clemens loses, we lose because that means the team will have to draft a QB next year, then we’ll have to wait another 2 to 3 seasons before he’s ready to get it done. I don’t think even if he wins this year, Pennington has that much game left in his arm to carry us over until another QB can be groomed.
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I think the Jets should be “grooming” KC to be the starter this year. That means giving him all the snaps he needs to get ready for the season. It’s been said here to nausium, CP has a limited ceiling, and will only take us so far, so why invest the time and energy in him. He makes perfect sence as the backup, nothing more.
If the Tangini program is to move forward and take the next step, they need to have a QB who they believe gives them the best chance to win in the playoffs. I would have to think that their drafting KC in the early second round would indicate their beliefe that he can be that guy.
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If911sc…….
First of all the only reason the jets not Clemens won the game was because the defense with a new scheme (Ellis at linebacker, 2-5 scheme) the jets were able to throw off Ben Rothelisberger. It was a low scoring game and went into overtime (20-17). The jets lost to Washington 20-17 in overtime and the JETS beat Kansas City 20-17 because the defense stood up so that Clemens didn’t have to chase Kansas CIty in points on offense. So I don’t think that Clemens won those two games against the teams he won by himself. The defense held its own against Washington and help Clemens to try to win in overtime. You just don’t see that the TEAM NEEDED TO LIFT CLEMENS ON ITS SHOULDERS TO WIN THE GAMES in 2007. With Chad in all of his defeats against Cinncinatti, the Giants, and Eagles he posted more points and better stats offensively than Clemens showing he could lift the team whenever it was in a difficult situation. At those times the defense let the team down. This is why we spent so much on defense in free agency and the draft. CLEMENS IS NOT A PROVEN WINNER he hasn’t even shown the pocket presence (too unstable) when the defense is overpowering his offensive line or even in a tight game to lead the jets. He hasn’t even been to the playoffs and won any of the games. He doesn’t shown me the nuts to stay in (Richard Seymour sacked him, New England 2007, bruised ribs) when he is hurt like chad did (Jacksonville 05, Buffalo and the rest of the 2004 season. We need a proven winner with the jets spending all this money 70M + on the draft and free agency. CHAD IS THE MAN.
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You all are so hyped on Clemens because of his arm and believe that he will lead us to the playoffs and beyond because of his durability. It makes no sense for him to lead just with 2 wins under his belt and remember he didn’t win them by himself. The defense woke up and held the points to a minimum.
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Rich G says:
R in CT said best and i cant remember the last time some said
“JETS beat Kansas City 20-17 because the defense stood up so that Clemens didn’t have to chase Kansas CIty in points on offense”
who chases the Chief in points. their Offense is worse than ours
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R in CT,
I think we are both saying pretty much the same thing, that KC should be given the chance now.
However, there is a flip side to our position. Last years limited playing time might have done a world of good for CP, whereby giving his body the rest to recuperate. There is a strong possibility that CP could come out this year a be in very god shape, even throwing the ball with adequate velocity. If this were to happen, then there is no way KC could beat CP in an open competition, because KC’s only advantage was the strong arm and athleticism, so if those are no longer his strengths then CP would be the starter.
If CP were to come in this year in very good shape, he would have to be our starter, because there is no way KC could match CP’s experience and football smarts, not to mention his game management.
If this scenario were to happen would that mean we would have to dump KC? I would say no, why do that, let KC sit another year or two and gather that much more knowledge from watching CP. Then when the time is right KC can step in and play. I don’t think anyone would object if CP came in this year and was fully healed and recovered from his past injuries, and showed some semblance of his 2002 self.
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Bent says: Fonzie: None of those 3 games were 20-17. They were 23-20, 19-16 and 13-10.
As for Chad, he would have won a few extra starts too, if the defense stepped up and held onto the lead / didn’t knock each other out when about to make a game changing interception.
Conclusion, regardless of who the QB is, we aren’t as far away from respectability as the media, most of us and (hopefully) most NFL teams believe.
Chad’s arm strength post surgery was noticeably better in 06 than 07, so I have to agree with the person who said his ankle had an effect.
However, KC is the younger horse, so it would be a boost if he could beat out Chad fair and squard. A task not as easy as some would have you believe, methinks.
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Jetski says:
ramble914,
I’ll be expecting an apology after Simms has an awesome season. When everyone is saying,”Who would’ve thought Simms would have such a great season, especially after suffering a career-threatening injury”, you’ll remember that I did. I’m also predicting that Simms or Cutler will win the Comeback Player of the Year award. -
sjfalcon2001 says:
Why don’t we set up a ring, let Chad and KC wrestle a no holds barred, last man standing, steel cage match and the winner starts. I can see it now… “Chad hits Clemens in the head with a clipboard–wow look at those stats in action!…Kellen rebounds and wait what’s this he’s got a medicine ball…and look at that arm strength as he hurls it at Chad!!! What a cannon arm!! Wait, Chad’s going down–could it be, is he done? But wait Kellen just got sacked by Buffalo’s third string linebacker! Where did he come from? looks like the offensive line let him through the cage door.”
This is getting ridiculous. I know the off season is long and we want to see football NOW and not wait for July, but we’re just beating a dead horse. We haven’t seen either of these guys since December. I welcome the competition as long as it doesn’t stretch into the season and tear the team in half. I don’t care who the starter is, I just want the better player starting. That being said, I’d prefer that KC would step it up because that would clear up a lot of questions and give us a direction for the team one way or another.
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Oh by the way, Jetski,
You’re out of your mind if you think Simms is the answer. He may not even be recovered yet from his injury and he hasn’t played in almost 2 years (his injury came Week 3 in 2006), so how could you say with certainty that he would start?
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Johnny Styne says:
Run-Run-Pass(Receiver Injured on the Play)-Punt
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Craig says:
Bent
“Chad’s arm strength post surgery was noticeably better in 06 than 07″
I disagree, Chad’s arm didn’t look great in 06 he just didn’t have hearbreaking 4th quarter ints. The throw in cincinatti in 07 was the strongest throw he’s ever made. If he can eliminate those game breaking INTS I think he will be in shape to win with a good supporting cast
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jetski,
Don’t hold your breath!
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MCM says:
The discussion is absurd, Kellen Clemens was awful last season. He does not look like a NFL starter. Chad Pennington is a winner, makes smart decisions and behind an improved line the running game can return and his bread and butter of play action passes will allow for a productive offense. Instead of drafting Keller at 30, we should have stayed at 36 and drafted Brian Brohm because we have no QB of the future.
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HOZ THE JET says:
kellen cklemens will be the starter point blank and who ever dont like it will ha ve to deal with it.,when this kid have a big season dont you guys, that are against clemens jump on the BANWAGON later…
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Bandwagon, you must be dreaming? He couldn’t move the ball against KC last season and they are awful. I was supportive of the pick of Clemens but, after watching for a year and a half he still looks lost. We hope he can play but, as of now this team will be 7-9 with him and 10-6 with Chad.
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mcm…you r talking about the team is going 10-6 with chad when was the last time he played a full season?
you can’t win with a qb. being smart on the sidelines kellen clemens is only 24 and his best yrs. are ahead of him dispite the good signs he showed last yr. with the rocket arm and the ability to scramble for the 1st down dropped passes and bad offensive line destroyed him last yr. and you know this….enough said.
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Bent says:
Well, the last time he played a full season was the season before last. Their record? 10-6.
Not saying it will happen again, but it’s hardly outside the realms of possibility. Far more likely than it ever was at that time, anyway.
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The line was bad and KC couldn’t get the ball to receivers which goes hand in hand. He should have progressed and instead looked inept in the 13-10 win against the Chiefs after having played half a season. I hope that he is a star and loved him college but, I don’t want to throw away a season with him making mistakes with nervous feet in the pocket. Chad is smart and steady, and if he wins the open competition he will deserve the job.
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Bent agreed, this is a better until with the moves made then the team mangini inheirited.
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GPlum says:
Dude, enough with Chris Simms already. He’s been out of football for over a year and even back then, he was pretty damn inconsistent. That being said, am I the only person who’d be happy regardless of who wins this “competition?” The person who turns out to be the starter will have earned it by beating out the other QB, so that’s who I want taking our snaps come week 1. Kellen’s measurables and Chad’s intangibles are obviously advantages in each one’s favor, but none of us really knows which of those advantages will put us in the best position to win, especially given all the roster additions. So I’m okay with either one, as long as he’s healthy enough to go.
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dakar says:
im tired of 10-6…i want 11-5 or better…plain and simple…can either 1 of them deliver..who knows…i guess we have to wait and see how the season unfolds for us…just my thoughts…
Sign Chris Simms! The only difference between Manning and Clemens is that Manning gets the calls from the refs, which if you watch sports than you’d know it means everyhing. Manning gets the calls because of his last name/pedigree (his daddy and big bro) and their influence/connections in the league. If the Jets sign Simms than they get all of this plus Simms has at least the same talent as Manning and was playing well. The Jets should take the gamble on his health and trade for him. Mark my words, if they don’t trade for Simms the Jets will regret it when he wins the Comeback Player of the Year award and he’s leading a team like Chicago to the playoffs!