It’s difficult not to feel some sorrow for Kellen Clemens and his unfortunate tenure with the New York Jets.
The young man wasn’t exactly sabotaged, but his run in the NFL has been an arduous one thus far. With decks routinely stacked against him, one has to wonder where his thought process is on the day he was formally notified of his position as the back-up quarterback…again.
After spending the last two seasons in what was billed as an open quarterback competition, it would appear from some angles as if the job he’s been working to earn was intentionally kept just outside his reach.
When Mark Sanchez was drafted, there wasn’t much doubt surrounding the intentions for the fifth-overall draft pick. The Jets were to be his team, and he would eventually receive the starting nod.Head coach Rex Ryan agreed.
Sure, there were some intriguing scenarios and compelling arguments in Clemens’ favor, but none were going to alter the future of the organization. The Jets made sure to never invest themselves too deeply in Kellen Clemens, and that’s why the future rests in the hands of No. 6, for better or for worse.
The idea here is not to suggest that the fourth-year quarterback deserves an extensive pity party. But a little bit of empathy can be a positive thing, no?
The writing was on the wall for Clemens the night Mike Tannenbaum completed the trade for Brett Favre in August 2008. The circus was packed and ready to come to town, and with it was an indictment on Clemens and how the Jets’ felt about his ability to lead the team.
That sentiment ultimately received an emphatic echo when Sanchez was drafted in April.
But this does not signify a complete “Woe is Clemens” scenario.
For whatever reason, he could never distinguish himself from his competition when given his opportunities. That was true against a rookie this summer, and it’s been true throughout his career.
When the job was up for grabs against Chad Pennington, all reports out of training camp revolved around their pedestrian performances; nothing terrible, but nothing magnificent either. In fact, it took an undrafted free agent in Brett Ratliff to generate any kind of quarterback buzz in the pre-Favre era.
Former head coach Eric Mangini appeared willing to hand the keys over to Clemens after benching Pennington in 2007, but Clemens had to help his former coach make that decision. He didn’t.
Favre was acquired, Pennington released, and Clemens may have been taken for an unceremonious ride filled with false hopes and vacant nods of approval.
There are expectations that come with being a starting quarterback. Clemens found a way to do a confident quarterback impression in his dealings with the media, but was never quite convincing enough.
He’d say the right things, but it was always tough to believe him.
Whether or not he received a fair shot at the job is inconsequential at this juncture. He was drafted as a second-round pick, which can be translated as high enough to produce but low enough to not hinge a future upon.
As far as the Jets are concerned, it appears as if all parties involved are content with the decision to go with Mark Sanchez to start the season.
While Sanchez may have very well earned the job outright, it speaks volumes of Clemens’ inability to relieve everyone of any doubts.
Speculation for the heck of it—sound off!
With Clemens being in the final year of his contract, there raises an interesting situation. Do the Jets let him walk, or try and find immediate value for him before it’s too late?
At the present, it’s unreasonable to expect many teams making offers Tannenbaum can’t refuse. But the preseason is young.
One of the most intriguing sidebar-worthy notes of the first two exhibition games has been the extensive look Ryan has had of Erik Ainge. All things considered, is it unreasonable to assume he’s being groomed the immediate backup to Sanchez?
Is it too reckless to assume that the next two preseason games could be Kellen Clemens’ opportunity to audition for another team if Rex feels confident about Ainge?
There’s no five-year, $50M deal with the Jets in Clemens’ immediate future. If all goes according to plan, Sanchez will be the face of the franchise for the next decade.
What would be the purpose of holding on to a quarterback whose contract is about to expire? Especially if said quarterback believes he has starter potential?
Whatever happens next for Clemens is unknown, but in the meantime, could the Jets potentially seek value for him with a quarterback-starved team? The Seattle Seahawks, St. Louis Rams, and San Francisco 49ers immediately come to mind.
Obviously, experience is not a concern for Ryan, so keeping Clemens around under the guise of veteran tutelage, or as an insurance policy, defies logic.
The next two preseason games should determine where Clemens and Ainge fit into the Jets’ plans.
empathy or sympathy? cause from my boat, i can’t empathize. i would love to be just a backup in the NFL. as for sympathy, clemens sure got mine.
i prefer pity
Sympathy? How about disappointment? Clemens was an early second round pick who never lived up to expectations. At minimum, he should have been able to leverage experience and hold off a rookie for at least a year. I think we can pen him into the “bust” column now. I’ll cringe as Sanchez learns on the job while Clemens sleeps on a big pile of money. Sympathy, indeed.
I have been a Clemens supporter, just because I didn’t think Sanchez should have been handed the starting job, but Kellen didn’t seize his chance. Sanchez was always going to win the job if it was close.
That said, if we have hopes of winning games this year, we can’t trade Clemens. This is because:
1. What are we getting for him? A 6th rounder?
2. Ainge isn’t ready. He probably needs one more year of grooming to be a #2.
3. We don’t know if Sanchez is durable. He never got hit in college, he holds the ball too long, the O-line’s health is iffier than last year, and he isn’t the biggest of guys. There’s a chance Clemens will be seeing the field this year.
Keep Clemens and let him walk next year if he wants to.
The process sure leaves a sour taste, though.
The FO always seems to have strange expectations about QBs here. They always seemed mad at Pennington because he didn’t knock Vinnie right out of the saddle, then got hurt. His guts and smarts (what they drafted him for) didn’t seem to be enough somehow. So once he did finally push Vinnie out, they brought Clemens in to push Chad out, because they seemed to decide that Chad wasn’t Elway (news flash!!). Then they got mad that Kellen couldn’t put Chad away on a bad team, so they brought the Packer Guy in to push Chad out and Kellen backwards. Then they lost the Packer Guy and brought in The Rook. Then they set up a competition that never felt as balanced as they said it was. So, when Clemens doesn’t have a HOF camp, he’s toast.
Hopefully, Woody and Tanny can settle on one guy for a while and say, “This is my guy, for better or worse, for the long haul,” and then leave him the hell alone. He’ll flop or he’ll grow. But leave this one alone. They need to go do something else besides obsess over a QB. Woody has a lot of Q-Tips to go sell; Tanny has a lot of potentially unhappy contract talks to deal with coming up after these last couple of off-seasons.
Here’s hoping they finally give a Jets QB a little room to breathe. And to grow. And to do his job.
I find it Ironic, last year we( most of the Jets fan, including me, and the Jets organization) were routing for this guy, now we were routing against him. He should have won the Job last year and he might not be in this position, I think the reason why we got Favre was for numerous reasons, but one I think that can be valid was, KC was losing and CP was winning the QB battle and the Jets figured, if they starting an old QB, why not one with a canon for an arm.
Clemens did not take advantage of the situation. Not having been able to visit Cortland, I had to listen to the reports, like most Jet fans. Was there one day when Clemens looked outstanding? Not that I remember hearing about. Bottom line — he is mediocre.
Sanchez, who is as raw as Sushi, had days where he shined. He threw two TD’s to Brad Smith, in one of the last practices (and that is hard to do). The right choice was made and, if Sanchez gets hurt, Clemens will have another opportunity, with a better O-line, to show that he belongs.
I hate to say it, b/c he’s been a good guy, but J. and nyckage have it right. He should have been able to hold Sanchez off for at least the short-term if he were any good. (That being said, he was 1 McCarreins drop from being .500 as a starter in a year when the Jets were terrible…thanks again Justin!)
i felt sorry for clemens a few years ago when he clearly out played penny in the preseason but ended up as the back up anyways
he didnt show nearly as much as he should have for being in this system for four years. no chance he deserved to be named starter this year
Clemens seems like a really nice guy. This is how he makes his living, so hopefully some team finds him as a useful back-up once his contract is up. Erik Ainge has looked solid, I have no doubt he can be a good backup to the Franchez.
not only is Kellen a fourth year vet who could not beat out the Rookie – but he has been under one Offenisive coordiantor the entire time. Schotty has been given a wide swath by Rex…so who knows Kellen better?
This is NOT a decision made by Tanney… but by the guys who know best: Schotty and Ryan.
The interception V. Baltimore was Case #1 – 1,000.
Kellen spit the bit.
You want Sympathy? Let’s talk Mets & Piti Field.
Rather, let’s go on to Greener Pastures where Kellen Clemens certainly get my Empathy.
I think that he performed well enough in ’07 with a bad team to keep the job over Pennington, but not good enough to survive the offseason against the prospect of bringing in Favre.
Once again (with Favre) in Minnesota, ousting T-Jack, his play is once again not good enough to stave off Tannenbaum from trading up for the number five overall pick. Sanchez’s potential tomorrow was just better than Kellen’s play today.
That said, I do think Clemens has proved that he belongs and will find a home in which he can compete for a starting position. It’s far to soon to say he’s career back up.
Speaking of Back ups, who should the majority of snaps between Clemens and Ainge?
If Rex feels, Ainge has the capacity to play second string, then Clemens is expendible. I’d guess Denver would find him somewhat useful, considering their QB. Do we include in a trade for Marshall.
Never trade David Harris! Rather, offer #1 Pick & Clemens + Brad Smith.
Final Questions. Can we afford Marshall?
Wait! … San Francisco could use Kellen Clemens.
I maen, is Sean Hill the new Jeff Garcia-like “Lil’ Engine That Could” or Alex Smith the Cryan Leaf-like #1 “Who Can’t?”
Somebody get me Coach Singletary on the phone. I’m ready to Drop My Pants… Slashin’ Prices.
Push it. Pull it. Tow it. If it Catches, I’m Buyin’!!!
Clemen’s has been in Shotty’s system, I wonder if he would flourish in a different system, maybe a West Coast System. He still may have an opprotunity here , it;s a long season
I thought Clemens was going to show better than he has. The killer was the little jump pass “pick six” against the Ravens……..the HOP SINGH….as I call it. Clemens HOPS and the Ravens SING, get it!
why dont you try and trade clemens in a deal that involves a wide receiver maybe brandon marshall kyle orton looks horrible in denver over there
I don’t think that Denver is going to trade Marshall. If you look at their wide receivers — we have a way better group than them.
We need a good #1 WR now.
Harvlis,
While I agree that Broncos are not looking to trade Barndon Marshall (yet, may have to), I gotta say that I would take the combination of Bradon Marshall and Eddie Royal over our Jerricho Cotchery and (Yet To Be Decided) WR #2.
That said, I’m totally rooting for David Clowney!
Clemmens i doubt is a NFL starting QB, his comments show that he’s a class act and i feal bad for the guy. hopefully he get a chance to shine without Sanchez getting hurt.
i would take brandon marshall and eddie royal over cotch and ? we need a number 1 receiver now if we get a number 1 to compliment cotch as the 2 and clowney or stucky in the slot the league better watch out what happened to the dwayne bowe talks i would ike to see that happen as well
Dean,
What I meant is that, if they lose Marshall, they will be left with nothing.
Clemens doesn’t deserve any pity. He simply could never make the the Jets believe in his ability to be anything more than a pedestrian QB.
I thought that at best he would get the nod for the first five games, which are tough ones. Then Sanchez would come riding in to save the season against the next stretch which is considerably weaker.
That he couldn’t beat out a VERY RAW ROOKIE is ridiculous. He might get a chance with another team is not unthinkable, but he will at best be a backup.
Ainge will not be Number 2. I cannot see that happening.
Mediocre Quarterbacks Finish Last
They should trade Clemens for Marshall and the Broncos’ entire draft next year. And maybe a backup OL.
You know what? If Favre doesn’t hurt his arm in the Bengals game, Clemens would not even have had a shot to prove anything this year. Then next year he is a free agent. He was actually lucky that Favre got hurt and left and gave him a shot at it, which he did not take full advantage of.
Harvlis, I get it. Thanks!
DSmizzle, Too funny!
I’ve never been a fan of KC. Hell I didn’t even want to draft the guy! It goes to show you that “YOU” don’t give a guy something just because he is some place for an extended period of time, “YOU” have to earn it!!!!
Are you KC fans hearing me? You know who you are… The ones who wanted to anoint him the starter after Favre and Ratliff were gone.
——————
By the way I do feel bad for him, but he was never good enough to claim the spot. I’ve said all along that he never had the confidence, swagger, leadership skills, and talent.
——————
Regardless of how any fan feels for Kellen, truth be told that he was drafted be the future of this team, only to fail.
Its time to set Kellen up for trade bait, may it be alone or in a package. Either way he is NOT going to be a part of this team this year.
Think about it….
Since his rookie season Kellen has never been good enough to step up to the table (on his own). Now that he is the back up again, do you think he wants to be on this team?
(Remember this is the same team that wanted Chad gone, but couldn’t afford to let him go because the Front Office felt they would have a losing season with Clemens. Look the Jets gave up on him, after they saw what they had in 2007).
So the answer is NO!
Professional or not, after 4 yeas of NEVER being a starter but only to be a joke (to teammates, fans, and media), he is probable going to start pissing and moaning just to go some place else and sit on the bench!
Is it better for the team to wipe the stink of KC off of themselves and say good bye! – YES
Could the team trade him for a depth player or a WR (in a bundled package) – YES
Could he start for a team like SF who has no one? – YES
Time to pull the trigger…..
Lets think any Denver or KC trade thought to its end.
Do you think Josh McDaniels – who wants to wear a Hoody in honor of his roots – would ever trade a reciever to the Jets? How about Scott Pioli in KC — he the BFF with Belicheat? No chance is Bowe coming here.
Its not always the QB, alot of times its the system, Schottys system is favorable to QB’s.
I think its another WJ money making thing. KC is not exactly Mr. Excitement and everyone wants to see the media-hyped rookie. I don’t think theres a big gap between how they both played in pre season so far, so why not go with the hype? Why not sell some more jerseys and tickets? Who would buy a KC jersey?
If Kellen Clemens was named the starter today would there be the same buzz in the media?
I don’t think so.
I
If Sanchez gets hurt we’re stuck with Clemens anyway.
Clemens is a decent backup QB in this league — he’ll be good if Mark has a 2 game groin pull or something. Glad he isn;t our Qb for the other 14 games tho.
all he needs is for SOMEONE to BELIEVE in him.
by the way,GREAT article Angel.
I like Clemens unfortunately he’s never made the best of his oppurtunities. It is too bad , I was rooting for him. He seems to have backup QB talent and that may be it. Not everyone is good enough to start. I wish him well in the future.
I dont think the team will be looking to trade KC. Quite frankly what little trade value he may have had went out the window with another terrible camp and preseason. There is more value in seeing him walk and sign elsewhere than trying to trade him now.
That said, if Clemens realizes that the ship has sailed on him getting a chance to be a starter and is willing to accept the backup role I’d suggest the Jets lock him up after the season. If Clemens actually has a grasp and understanding of the offense that is a big help in preparation. If Sanchez pans out Kellen will never be able to replace him, but it would be much nicer to have a guy with 6 or 7 years in a system to play a game or two than having a Quincy Carter or Rick Mirer come in off the bench.
I think the Jets should sign the vet that won’t start for Tampa Bay (either McCown or Leftwich) and cut KC. I just can’t shed a tear for a guy that I don’t even think belongs in the NFL. And, I had to laugh at all the comments that he out-performed Sanchez on Monday. How about knowing the game situation on that horrible INT. Clemens, who is short, but apparently doesn’t know it, stepped up into a wall of taller defenders and OL. He threw a blind pass. Why? With the half almost over, if he takes a sack there the clock runs out. I believe he also got 2 passes knocked down and his TD pass to Clowney was almost fatally underthrown. I expected him to clearly outclass Sanchez after the Ravens’ defensive starters left. Instead, he was mediocre. But, I also expected Clemens to out-perform Sanchez in camp, but KC had 12 INTs to Sanchez’s 5.
Rex made the right move. I’ve been saying that Sanchez should start since OTAs. He is the more physically talented QB, but Clemens for all his “experience” only had 8 shaky NFL starts. So, why give Clemens his 9th NFL start over Sanchez’s 1st when what Sanchez really needs is in-game experience.
As for predictions, I think the Jets will be 2nd in the AFC East and could win 10 games. This team’s defense looks scary. Do the detractors know that Big Jenks and Revis haven’t played? Jenks was an MVP candidate through the Titans game last season. He’s a dominant interior lineman. Match him with Scott and Harris and teams will not be able to run well on the Jets. And, it will be hell to pass on the Jets because of the blitz and Revis takes away the other teams no. 1 WR.
On the offensive side, the Jets will be able to run the ball and do it well. And, with Keller catching 80 balls this season and Leon 50+, who needs better WRs or a blocking TE? The Chargers with Gates and the Chiefs with Gonzo in the Vermeil era had mediocre WRs, but potent running and passing games. Succeeding in the passing game means exploiting match ups and an LB on Keller or Leon is a mismatch. Like passing to Gates and LT or Gonzo and Priest. And, Gates and Gonzo are not good blockers, Gates is actually awful.
But, the key is Sanchez. I have my reservations. He’s not tall enough for my liking, I wish he had started more in college, and he’s wiry, not bulky and bulk helps when a 300 lb lineman hits you. But, he has all the physical gifts (except height), he’s smart and he’s shown leadership qualities. I know lots of folks here have pooh-poohed his TD pass to Leon, but that was a great play. Sanchez has great pocket awareness, so he quickly moved to an area where he had a clear sight line and delivered a perfectly thrown bullet to Leon on a wheel route. Plus, his execution of the screen to Leon was perfect and, after the beating he’d taken, I was happy to see that he drew the defense back to him and delivered a perfect strike. Sanchez is a rookie and he’ll make mistakes (like the pass that was picked by Ngata…looked like Favre against the Fins last year), but he’ll also make some great plays. I think Sanchez has a very high ceiling and I’m excited about watching him mature.
Last point, I want Clowney to start. He is the perfect complement to Jericho. Stuckey is a good guy to spell Jericho or play the slot, but Clowney’s speed will draw the safety and open up the middle of the field more for Keller and Leon. Whatever the record, this will be a fun season. Watching a Rex Ryan defense alone will be worth it.
That little jump pass by Clemens, which I have watched in slow mo, was because B. Smith and Leon bumped during their route. They ran into each other and he didn’t see it so he threw awkwardly to where he thought someone should be.
C’est la vie!
Now go win some NFL games rook!
SackDance,
“But, the key is Sanchez. I have my reservations. He’s not tall enough for my liking, I wish he had started more in college, and he’s wiry, not bulky and bulk helps when a 300 lb lineman hits you.”
I agree with all your points, except I didn’t hate Clemens. But that quoted portion stood out to me, because, like you, I felt Sanchez needed a bit more bulk.
And then I saw that sack up the middle with Gooden having a free shot at Sanchez, and the play ended up being whistled dead. He was wrapped up by a charging linebacker, and he had the strength to stay upright. Made me feel like he’s probably a lot stronger than he looks.
-Angel
Clemens it actually taller than Sanchez. The INT was at least partially excusable as posted above, certainly as excusable than the two (one drop) thrown by Sanchez.
This was never a true competition truth be told, but agree writing was on the wall once the kid was drafted.
In comparison, Chad never started a game for this organization either, until Vinny got hurt.
Did he not step to the plate and earn it or did he never get a chance?
Same story here.
Tampa needs a QB too and is a possible destination, but of course this will be the one player they actually make play out his contract, the one that deserves a change in scenery the most.
Good luck Kellen.
Wise – I wish Clemens luck too, but he isn’t taller than Sanchez. Their measurements at the combine (ie identical conditions) were:
Clemens 6 feet 1 5/8 inches
Sanchez 6 feet 2 1/8 inches
For those saying we should trade Clemens now, please rethink that. Right now, going into the season he makes for a good backup. I would not feel comfortable, yet, with Ainge as the backup. Maybe next year. Now, if they sign a veteran that becomes available, ie McNown, Leftwich, then I could see trading Clemens.
Sack, I agree with everything you’ve said, with the only exception being that Franchez has “very good pocket awareness”. I’m not sold just yet on that. The kid was never touched at USC because he had all the time to throw. If you are discribing that particular play, then fine, I agree. But I’ll reserve judgement until after he is knocked on his ass a couple more times.
I hope everyone is more patient with Sanchez than they were with Clemens, who got to start a grand total of seven regular-season games in his career (I’m not counting the New England game where he played one series before nearly being killed thanks to Adrien Clarke). The Jets were 3-4 in those games and 1-8 in the rrst of their games that year.
I’m not saying he would have turned out to be a Pro-Bowler, or that I’m not optimistic about Sanchez. But Clemens really never got the chance to show what he can do.
Clemens needs to go to another team to realize an opportunity. Its that simple. If we can trade him for VALUE, fine if not, he’ll walk next year anyway! He believes in himself and that is all that matters.
Personally, i believe we should try to package him in a deal for a WR and snag a vet from waiver a-la Brunell, Griese, McCown etc.
Mike Lombardi rubs it in:
I notice the Jets have named Mark Sanchez as their starting quarterback. As I wrote on my Twitter account last week, that decision was quicker than the Tyson-Spinks fight. The Jets had no choice, and it would not surprise me if Erik Ainge ended up as the No. 2. Had Brett Ratliff not been traded to the Browns, he would have been the only formidable challenge to Sanchez. Kellen Clemens may have been a second-round pick, but he’s not an NFL starter.
I posted this on another thread, then I saw this one, where it really belongs:
To me, Sanchez is not ready to start in the NFL right now. He really should not be starting, but his competition, Kellen Clemens, appears in his 4th season that he will NEVER be ready to start in the NFL. I have said since Dirty was drafted that the better QB should start and that a tie should go to the rook. You could make arguments that this one or that one has played marginally better, but by all standards it has been a tie. This is pretty pathetic when you consider that KC has been in the same system, with the same OC for 3 full years as well as this training camp & pre-season. How can he possibly not be playing better than an underclassman turned pro who started all of 16 games in college? The fact that KC isn’t playing better than Sanchez I find to be more of a negative comment on KC than a positive one on Dirty. Sanchez is making the rookie mistakes he should make and looks pretty good for a rookie and should not be starting, except that he has to, because the option to him is not playing any better and has no upside, which at least Dirty has aplenty. It would have been ideal to have Sanchez ride pine for a while (maybe even all season) and learn while a more seasoned vet could hold the fort, especially as the team comes together under a new head coach. Sadly, we don’t have that seasoned vet.
I know all about how Peyton Manning said that he learned so much by being on the field blah, blah, blah, but how many Peyton Manning’s are there? How many guys have Peyton’s maturity (note he stayed in college for that last year even when he could have come out earlier) and have started as many games as peyton in college? How many QBs that are highly drafted (see A. Smith, D. Carr, even R. Leaf) start from day 1, seem completely overwhelmed and shell-shocked and never recover?
I’m not saying that this will happen with Sanchez, but I find the risk of this happening at least as great as the chance that he will excel and handle all that will be thrown at him this year smoothly. Sanchez shouldn’t be the starter but he has to be. Thanks, Kellen. I saw the interview with Sanchez on SNY last night and Sanchez didn’t (couldn’t) answer honestly when Obermeier asked him why he was named the starter. The honest answer:
Clemens sucks.
Sack – I agree completely that Clowney should start. As I said when I called into the TJB radio show the other day, I don’t think the line that he is a “one-trick pony” is true. Last year, he made that great catch going across the middle when he finally got to play. I worry about that a little because of his size but if they draw the plays up right (yes, I know that mean’s Shotty – am I hoping for too much?), they can probably protect him a bit with bunch formations, etc. I like chansi in the slot and why the hell does Smith make a ton of acrobatic catches every year in practice and then none it the games? Apparently, he caught a couple of TDs from Sanchez last week in those last play of the game simulations, so maybe there’s hope, but I’m getting sick of waiting to see it in a real game.
What I worry about with getting vet from waivers is: they will have no time to learn the system if Sanchez should happen to go down early. We signed Mirer in 99 when “Iron Horse” Vinny was QB, I remember Parcells saying how tough Vinny was and that he never gets injured. But he did and Mirer looked lost and that’s exactly what the team did – lose games.
How much better will a vet off waivers be than KC? I would say not much until at least week 4 or 5.
As for 10-6, that would certainly go against current perceptions. One of the sports betting sites released lines for every game of the season:
1. Hou -4.5 NYJ
2. NE -6.5 NYJ
3. Ten -3 NYJ
4. NO -7.5 NYJ
5. Mia -6 NYJ
6. NYJ -4 Buf
7. NYJ Pick em Oak
8. NYJ -1.5 Mia
9. Bye
10. NYJ -2 Jax
11. NE -12 NYJ
12. Car -3 NYJ
13. Buf -2 NYJ
14. TB -3.5 NYJ
15. Atl -1 NYJ
16. Ind -10.5 NYJ
17. NYJ -5 Cin
It’s pretty ugly. Underdogs in 11 of the 16 games, including double digits in two of them. Not to mention listed as a pick em with Oakland.
Sean, you know you can’t count on any of those lines. With the exception of week one, all will change, and possibly dramatically. With that said I do not have any great hopes for the season. To me the season will be a success if the team improves week to week, Sanchez the same. If we know by the end of the year that Sanchez is our guy, then it was a good season. If we know Ryan is a good HC then it was a very good season. Above 500, and playoffs would be gravy.
well said Pete57. I concer..concor..conk…agree!
he is a BUM he had his chance trade him for a bag of football’s.never liked him
seanmac,
We disagree and Vegas lines will change. I just think that the defense will be far better than you and FO project. If Jenks is healthy, teams just won’t be able to run on the Jets and the blitz will force QBs to make mistakes. The Jets already have superior special teams (although I’m a little worried about the punting). So, it comes down to the offense and I think the offense will be average. That’s all it has to be for 10-6. I will say that 7-9 is much more likely than 12-4, but I think the Jets will notch 5 wins by their 9th game, esp. since I don’t see Chad beating a Rex Ryan defense and I think the Bills OL is one of the worst in the NFL. I wonder how all those Vegas lines will change if the Jets beat Houston. Fun fact, the Texans have never beaten either the Ravens or Jets. Last year the Ravens beat Houston in Houston 41-13 and racked up 162 yards rushing and 2 TDs. Todd Heap killed them with 5 catches for 58 yards and 2 TDs. I like the Jets chances.
The bottom line is this, Ainge played great, so now Kellen is expendable. Kellen costs millions, Ainge costs thousands…thus good-bye Kellen. If it were just KC and MS the discussion would be over. Clemens back up, Mark starter, Pizotti an afterthought…but 6’6″, rifle arm, smart, Ainge has shaken the rafters up. He’s the real threat to the Sanchez era…perhaps they move him before he shows how stupid the front office was to draft MS.