Buzz: Who’s Number Two?
Rich Cimini asked yesterday whether or not there’s another QB controversy underway.
Not only did Kellen Clemens (one TD, two interceptions) play poorly in the preseason, but his throwing elbow “has been a little banged up,” Rex Ryan confirmed. Third-stringer Erik Ainge (four TDs, no interceptions), who took most of the pre-season snaps, is gaining on Clemens. Ryan sidestepped the issue, saying, “I think we have three quarterbacks who can play.” Nevertheless, they still put in a waiver claim on former Patriots QB Kevin O’Connell, who was awarded to the Lions.
I get it, but at the same time, I don’t. Danny Woodhead isn’t now going to be vaulted into the second spot just because he had a great game Thursday. Maybe things will change over the course of the season, but as of Week One when the Jets announce their inactives, if I had to bet, I’d bet that Clemens will be the backup and not Erik Ainge. How someone falls from a battle for the starting spot to the scout team without any trades in a matter of weeks doesn’t seem to make sense to me.
25 Responses to Buzz: Who’s Number Two?
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Unless we sign a vet and are able to trade KC he is the clear #2. Ainge has played well and alot better than people expected. But he is not ready for #2 duty just yet.
Next year when Sanchez is established….Ainge will be ready to take over the back up duites.
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Green Lantern says:
Rich Cimini thinks we are going to make another move before Houston..What you guys think? A lot can happen in a week but I dont think Denver changing their minds, Finding a good deal for The Jets and then the trade actually happening can happen in a week.
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I want to know what Ainge everyone was watching? Because the guy I saw who “did well” only did so by repeatedly underthrowing wide open receivers downfield. He also fumbled a few times, took a couple of bad sacks and generally looked lost back there.
In short: His preseason stats don’t tell the story. Is he improved from last year? I guess. But that doesn’t mean he’s ready to step in and lead this team anywhere.
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ramble914 says:
We need Clemens for this year, especially if Sanchez struggles or gets hurt. He knows the offense, has some experience and is servicable as the second QB. Ainge improved , but I would not trust him to manage games for us yet. Bringing in a new QB now would not be a wise thing, as he would have to learn the O. Stay with Clemens for this year and next year make a move.
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Bent says: Orange – Most teams will announce them today, but the Jets announced theirs a day later than most teams last year, so you might have to wait until tomorrow.
The waiver period is 24 hours, so some of the cuts may have already cleared waivers (teams will often cut practice squad candidates early, but this wasn’t the case with the Jets last year – the early cuts were just the lowest guys on the roster).
If you don’t think the initial practice squad is important, two of the current Jets roster (Digs and Potty) were on it last year, as were Caulcrick and Daniels, two of the final cuts from this year.
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Bent says:
Like R, I was underwhelmed by Ainge. Similar to Ratliff, his numbers look great because of three long TD passes. Sure, he still made those passes, but it was always against scrubs. Take those out and his numbers (still mostly against scrubs) are underwhelming.
Just like last year, when it was reported that Ratty was the number two after preseason, I bet that if a backup is needed, Clemens will get the call.
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J-Kay says:
Ainge should have been in the competition over Clemens from the start. Hes just better.
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James in TN says:
Off Topic How about the Little 10 yesterday,
The buckeyes got lucky against Navy
The hawkeyes got lucky vs. Northern Iowa Polytech CC
USC lays 50 on Ohio St.
big 10 is a joke !!!!!!
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Again….After Ainge missed a few weeks in training camp for “personal reasons” everybody thought he was a goner. My point is he is ready to be a backup “next year” He has the makings of a guy a few years from now that you could trust to win you a game or two when Sanchez isnt available. He is perfect for the 3rd QB right now.
The only way Clemens is not the backup is if we get a vet QB in here and can trade KC for some type of vaule.
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James….Are you calling me out??? lol
I am not sure with your love affair with bashing the Big Ten but watch out for my Wolverines…..maybe not this year but Rich-Rod will have them rolling very soon….as will the Big Ten!!
All fired up with Lane Kiffan and the boys running it up on W Kentucky huh? lol
Calm down bud
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jeff i says:
forget the stats, just look at their respective pocket presences and it’s clear that ainge has the edge on clemens.
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Vernon Gholston and Blair Thomas from Big Ten, still smarts.
Not calling you out, just pointing out great players from that conference is rare. It is overrated.
And how about those VOLS!!!!!!!
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seanmac31 says:
I’m pretty sure that Tom Brady smarts more. Arizona fans are none too happy with Santonio Holmes, and on and on.
I kind of laugh at the whole SEC business, seeing as USC would beat the snot out of each and every squad in that conference no matter where the game was played.
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nyr2k2 says:
Patriots just traded Richard Seymour to Oakland for a 2011 first round pick.
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Wow does that team know how to work the draft process.
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Doug says:
my mouth is still wide open. Richard Seymour is gone!
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Liam says:
WTF?????????? Granted Seymour is on the decline, but he is still Richard Freaking Seymour, one of the best defensive players of this generation and he is not yet 30. I’m shocked. That 2011 pick should be a high one, no doubt, but Brady and Moss will be two years older, this team–I thought–was built to win now.
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Ben Nevis says:
Basssett,
Your comparison of Ainge/Clemens to Woodhead/Jones/Washington is a faulty analogy. Last season, Jones led the AFC in rushing, and Leon led the entire league in combined yards. Clemens has accomplished precisely nothing in his entire NFL career.
As for Ainge, he has better pocket presence than KC, better timing, and a better arm, and he demonstated this throughout the entire preseason. At this point, it’s clear: Clemens is a bust, and should be cut (or, if at all possible, traded), if only to clear another spot on the roster.
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mike says:
I loved brian brohm who the packers cut yesterday.. I would either trade clemens for a 5 or 6 th rd pick and sign brohm as 3rd string behind ainge and sanchez.
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also Seymore traded woo hoo great news for jet fans…….
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Bent says:
seanmac – Which – the Pats or the Raiders?
(Kidding…)
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1. USC does pay players better granted but they wouldn’t survive the SEC week in and out.
2. The Pats are conceding this year because tommy is hurt.
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EastSide says:
James, I feel very tempted to challenge you on your first point. But I know we will both leave this debate without a single altered opinion so I will resist.
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BigKatFan says:
Bruschi gone, Seymour gone…….2 down, 5 to go.
Off Topic:
When do the players that you cut clear waivers ?
When are Practice Sqauds formed ?
Is anything happening today ? Monday ?