Transcript: Kellen Clemens, 12.16
On if he is prepared to start…
Yes.
On how he will approach this weekend…
I’m going to approach it as if I am going to play. If Mark (Sanchez) is ready to go, whatever the medical people say, whatever Rex decides then he’ll go. If not, I’m ready. I think I have the support of the guys around me and we’ll go out and play again.
On his performance against Tampa Bay and what he will do differently this week…
After looking at the tape, I feel a lot better about it. I shouldn’t have had that demeanor at the podium, especially after a win. That was my mistake. There are a couple of different things that I have tweaked a little bit in my routine this week. For the most part, the formula works and I’ll stick with it.
On how much he wants to play…
I love playing. I would love to play every Sunday if I could.
On practice…
We ended up splitting reps today. Partially to test out how Mark’s doing and how he’s progressing. It was good. We battled the elements a little bit, which was good. We’ll be in good preparation for Sunday. It was a good first day.
On how Sanchez looked at practice…
He was good. He’s working through some things physically. The big thing is being able to step into your throws and he was able to do that.
On his mental preparation going into a week he might start…
It does make it a little bit more realistic and exciting in the early parts of the week when there is more of a chance than if he gets hurt. It is a little bit different this week. Last week, obviously (was) entirely different. It’s more exciting in the backup role these weeks in the early days of preparation if you know the chance is a little bit higher.
On the Falcons…
They are coming in at 6-7. They have some things they are working through, especially with some injuries. I know (Michael) Turner and Matt Ryan are questionable at this point. They also have the defense #23 Chris Houston is questionable. We’ll see how he’s doing. I believe he has a hamstring. They look good. Defensively they are ranked in the lower half of the League in quite a few categories, but they look a lot better than that on film. We need to win this game. We’re not taking it lightly by any means.
On if reps this week were easier than last week…
It’s different. They told us earlier that (we) were going to split it 50-50. This week it will get more and more lopsided one way or another as they know if Mark is going or if he’s not. Last week was nice because I hadn’t had any reps yet and to get in there and get the flow of things. It is a little bit different this week because each QB has his own style. You kind of play musical quarterbacks a little bit with the offensive line and the receivers. That won’t last too long. I’m sure we’ll have a clear-cut guy going into Sunday and that will be good.
2 Responses to Transcript: Kellen Clemens, 12.16
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Fred says:
Kellen is all about winning. He showed that against Tampa. It is never about him, it is about his team. I have watched almost every game back through high school. He has a strong arm, is very accurate and is a great leader. With playing time and a good offensive line and decent defense he will take any NFL team far into the playoffs just as he would have done for the Jets last year and this year. Most of his interceptions come when his team is 10 ofr 14 points down with time running short — he will sacrifice his own statistics to try to win the game. Against Tampa he did a great job of setting up the running game with good fakes and deceptive handoffs. If I was coach I would announce that both quarterbacks were going to get playing time in upcoming games — the knee could get some rest and time for some sideline defensive reads wouldn’t hurt Sanchez. We can win out but………..who can help solidify quarterback leadership like we saw on our defensive effort. I think it is Kellen. Coach Ryan, please keep both QBs ready to finish out our remaining games I have not given up on playoffs.
Kellen is such a humble guy and a class act, too bad he isn’t that good at football…