The Rundown: Backup Shakeup
Are we about to see a serious shake-up with the Jets and their backup QBs this season? According to the New York Post, it would seem so with Mark Brunell being the change agent for the Jets.
A source close to Mark Brunell told The Post today that the veteran quarterback would very much like to sign with the Jets, but Brunell’s hands are tied until Jason Taylor makes up his mind.
That’s because the NFL’s “Final Four” rule allows the Jets to sign an unrestricted free agent only if they lose one to another team, then at roughly the same first-year salary of the departing player.
In the Jets’ case, they only have one such slot available at $1.5 million in the first year after losing kicker Jay Feely to the Cardinals. And that slot is reserved for Taylor, the league’s active sack leader who reportedly is leaning toward signing with the Jets after a red-carpet recruiting trip earlier this week.
Taylor would probably be a harder “get” for the Jets, whereas Brunell would be OK waiting a little bit to get his contract from the Jets. While the team put on a good face about their backup situation in 2009, it’s clear that the Jets see the value in adding a veteran backup, so let’s hope that Brunell stays available.
The other benefit from adding Brunell, is that the Jets, for the first time in two years, could have less than four QBs on the roster come Week One, thereby allocating a roster spot elsewhere. Behind Mark Sanchez, the Jets currently have three backups (Kellen Clemens, Kevin O’Connell and Erik Ainge) and they account for less than 10 NFL starts combined.
The biggest piece for the Jets to move is of course Kellen Clemens, the 2006 second round selection by the team. Clemens might still have interest for some teams, but the Jets will be lucky to get a third day pick in the upcoming draft for the shaky signal caller. Clemens, still is holding out hope that he can start somewhere according to Jane McManus at ESPN New York.
“There’s no future for me here starting, that’s clear,” Clemens said. “There’s a future for one guy here to star and play and that’s Mark [Sanchez], and that’s why they drafted him. And he’s a very talented quarterback. So I’m not at the point where I’m willing to give up my dream of having a chance to play and start.”
27 Responses to The Rundown: Backup Shakeup
-
Ben Nevis says:
Drew—
Bent and I were talking last night about the Cimini piece on the sticking points in the Taylor deal, and it seemed that up until that piece, most of what we’ve been hearing about the potential Jason Taylor deal has been coming from JT’s side.
We were hearing primarily from JT’s agent: that Rex really wants Taylor, that RR wanted JT all the way back to last year, that the FO is rolling out the red carpet for Taylor, that Taylor likes what he’s hearing, that he just has to think about it at home with his wife, that we’re not going to hear anything until next week.
And all of this sounds to me like JT (via his agent) sending a message to the Dolphins: this is serious, I may go to the Jets, if you want me, do something now, before the draft.
But the response of the Fins FO was to reiterate that they won’t be addressing JT’s situation until AFTER the draft.
So it’s as if Taylor was trying to leverage the interest from the Jets, but Miami wasn’t biting.
What we seem to know from the Jets FO is this:
1. Rex wants this deal done before the draft
2. Rex wants Taylor to participate in the off-season workout program.
The problem with getting the deal done before the draft is that the Fins say they won’t make a counter-offer (if they do) until after the draft.
And the problem with Taylor participating in the off-season workout program is that he has a history (with the Redskins, for instance) of trying to get out of them.
So it’s possible that your dream might still become a reality. . .
-
For those interested, here’s what Cimini had to say about the sticking points between the Jets and Taylor:
_______________________________________
. . .the two sides [the Jets and Jason Taylor] are discussing how many voluntary off-season workouts Taylor will attend.
Taylor is coming off minor shoulder surgery, and he apparently wants some time to heal before he joins the team in Florham Park. But keep in mind Taylor’s history. He didn’t want to participate in the Redskins’ off-season program last year because it kept him away from his family in South Florida, and he was so adamant about it that it cost him his job — and $8 million in salary. He was cut by the Redskins and wound up re-signing with the Dolphins, taking a $6 million pay cut, give or take a few hundred grand. . . .
Taylor is in a bit of a pickle. Dolphins GM Jeff Ireland, asked about Taylor during Thursday’s pre-draft press conference in Miami, said (rather coldly, I’m told) that he won’t deal with Taylor until after the draft — an odd way to handle one of the most popular players in your team’s history. Anyway, if Ireland means what he says, Taylor may have no choice but to pick the bird in the hand — the Jets’ offer. If Miami steps up and offers anything close to that, you have to think he’ll stay put. But if what Ireland is saying is true, there will be no 11th-hour offers.
From the Jets’ perspective, they don’t want to let it drag out until the draft. Rex Ryan wants to add another pass rusher and, if Taylor doesn’t come, he might have to use his first pick (29th overall) on a pass rusher. You’re looking at Michigan’s Brandon Graham (if they trade up) or Texas’ Sergio Kindle (if he slips a bit) or TCU’s Jerry Hughes, an explosive edge rusher.
______________________________________ -
And here’s the link to the Cimini piece:
http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/jets/2010/04/a-sticking-point-in-taylor-tal.html
-
mike s. says:
Unlike many on this site, I am a Kellen Clemens fan. I suspect that he is a “rhythm passer” that has not been utilized properly in Schotty’s schemes. If given a shot to play for a pass-heavy team in a dome or a warm weather city, I think this kid still has a shot to be a solid NFL starter.
But he should have more value after Bradford and Clausen are drafted, as there are at least 6 teams that should be in the market for young QB with a live arm and good head.SF 49ers – 2 words: “Alex Smith”
Minnesota needs a replacement for Favre
Jacksonville’s Garrard has struggled after his early success and reportedly they are looking for an upgrade.
Carolina – It is difficult to see this franchise relying on Matt Moore be their starter.
St Louis – AJ Feely is not an NFL starter
Tennessee – Vince Young is not a long-term solution at QB in today’s pass heavy NFL. This team will never compete with the elite with Young at QB.
Other teams that should be in the market for his services, but likely are not, include: Buffalo, Oakland, and Arizona. All 3 have mediocre QBs.
-
JetObsessed28 says:
I’m sorry, but Brunell was painful to watch when the Saints gave him some PT at the end of the regular season.. He was BAD..
He needs a rocking chair and a set of golf clubs..
I’d rather go with Clemens/Ainge/O’Connel. -
JetObsessed28
Its really not about what Brunell can do on the field really. If Sanchez is out for any period of time were in trouble anyway
The kid needs a guy who has been there and knows what to expect when things get rough….. The QB coach cant help when the bullets are flying during the game….only a vet can
-
mike s—
I wish you were the GM for some team other than the Jets. Would love to dump Clemens into your awaiting arms for a second rounder! (Or even a third! Or even a fourth!)
-
Dylan says:
mike s.,
SF 49ers- Alex Smith actually played. He threw for 18 TDs and 12 INTs and had an 81 QB rating. He is also only 25 years old.
Minnesota- The Vikings still have Jackson and Rosenfels, plus Favre will probably be back. Adding another inexperienced QB wouldn’t make sense.
Jacksonville- I guess they could bring him in to backup Garrard. No way would he start though. Garrard is a much better QB than Clemens.
Carolina- Matt Moore played VERY well. He had a 98.5 QB rating last season. He was also tendered with 1st and 3rd round picks. I’m pretty sure that Carolina sees him as their starter.
St. Louis- AJ Feely is not a starter, but Sam Bradford will be. Feely is going to back up Bradford.
Tennessee- VY can be a starting QB. He was not a run first QB last year. Plus, the team still has Kerry Collins. I don’t think they would want to add Clemens.
-
SackDance99 says:
I don’t know what Brunell can do anymore, but he was a good NFL QB and there’s probably not a defense or game situation that he hasn’t faced. I don’t know if Sanchez needs a vet, but if he does Brunell is a good choice. Clemens is not now and will never be an NFL-caliber QB. He’s just not good enough. And, more than anything, to prove critics like me wrong, he has to play football. IMO, he should go to the CFL and show that he can QB a team and complete a high percentage of his passes without INTs. I always thought that he could be like Jeff Garcia, so he should copy Garcia’s career path.
-
What I wonder is if the Jets do in fact sign Taylor to Feely’s slot if they would then turn around and simply release Clemens. I’m not sure there is a trade market for KC, but Clemens has yet to sign his tender offer from the team even though he is attending their workouts. I believe if the Jets withdraw the offer he becomes a UFA and Id imagine a team would take a million dollar chance on him if there is no draft compensation attached. They could then use the Clemens slot for Brunell, who the Jets clearly seem to be interested in.
-
Marvel says:
Ainge …..
I know there’s not alot of NFL tape on Ainge but the guy can play .. When they drafted him I was very upset because the description I was given compared him to Chad & I couldn’t stand Chad .. I was lied to, Ainge actually has an arm & i feel he has what it takes to be a good QB .. I would like for him to get 1/2 of the pre-season snaps so he can show people what he’s about .. With that being said this is a potential SB year so I will not cry if we get a Vet backup for Sanchize..
I’d trade KC for a 7th round pick & a soda ..
-
Marvel—
“I’d trade KC for a 7th round pick & a soda.”
LOL—yes, definitely!
-
dakar says:
marvel…
agree with you…we should give AINGE a shot and see what he can do with more snaps…as for clemens…
i was with MIKE S…i was a fan of clemens until i saw him in last year’s game…that game did for me…i just couldn’t support a player who just looked lost out on the field…i gave him all the benefits and all the doubts…but godbless maybe your right…maybe he is a rythem passer…and if he is…then let him get his rythem on another team…just my thoughts…
-
Ben
I would trade KC for just the soda…lol
Which ever we pick between Ainge and Oconnell they will be the back up in 2011. I would assume it would be Oconnell since they gave up a pick and kept him on the team….but unlike “some” Tenn fans i think Ainge will be a servicable backup/spot starter in the future
-
Drew—
A soda for Clemens is probably what we’re going to get—lol!
Yes, I agree: I think it’s likely that O’Connell is the back-up. And, yes, I like Ainge, and think he’ll be able to come off the bench and start if we need him in the future.
Also, even if Taylor doesn’t sign with us, I don’t see the FO using the one spot we have (after having lost Feely) on Brunell. (If MB is still around after July 22, then maybe that might work.)
But if Taylor was simply playing us to get an offer from the Dolphins, or if JT won’t agree to participate in the off-season program—which Rex probably won’t accept—I suspect the FO would be using that one (Feely) spot on a player other than a back-up QB.
-
Bent says: Let’s be realistic though, it would probably need to be RC Cola. They’d never do it for a Coke or a Pepsi. Wonder if they’d do it for a Dr. Pepper if we sweetened the pot with a Slim Jim or something…
-
Bent—
I’d take a Canda Dry Ginger Ale!
-
There is no way a team would take KC and a Slim Jim for a soda……We would have to throw in a pack of Mentos “the freash maker” to complete that deal.
-
Bent says:
So, Kellen Clemens, a Slim Jim and a pack of Mentos for a can of Canada Dry Ginger Ale?
I’d do it.
Since it’s customary to say so after every trade idea, I’ll add this: “Maybe we can get them to take Vernon Gholston off our hands too!”
-
Bent & Drew—
Maybe we should just convert Clemens to DE and Gholston to QB. Then add in the Slim Jim and the Mentos to sweeten the deal, and trade them both to the Penguin for that can of Canada Dry Ginger Ale.
-
James in TN says:
ainge is ok, ehhh better than kc
-
Lol @ evryones comments I was laughing so hard my head started hurting .. You guys are crazy ..
-
Dylan – great point about Carolina’s Moore. I missed that tender offer signing. Obviously Carolina thinks more of the kid, than I do. I am sure Fox and company know what they are doing. So… I must have been talking out of my a–.
My bad. Let’s scratch Carolina from the list.But let’s add Cleveland to the list of possible teams, as Mangini drafted Clemens in the 2nd round.
TRADE VALUE
I think a mid-to-late 3rd round pick for Clemens is not crazy given the recent Whitehurst deal between Seattle and San Diego. -
hank/naplesh says:
Guys:
Know what? Ya’all are so twisted bored, waiting for SOMETING football to happent that ya’all have resorted to doing things that are illegal!!!
-
mike s:
Very goog, par for the course. Lets blame ALL that is not perfect on Mangini and ALL that is good on Tannenbaum!!!
FYI, Mangini has NEVER professed to be a QB savy, therefore he will pass on taking credit for KC.
I wish I could see the mirror Clemens looks in everyday where is says to him he is a starting QB in this league……He proved last year he is barely a backup at this point.
He should do what Rex Grossman did….go be a backup/3rd stringer and hope someone remembers why he was a highly rated prospect 4 years ago.
As to Brunell…I like the move if it happens. This move should have been in play last season. Choose between the young guys and carry 3 QB’s this year.
I had a dream last night that we pulled the Jason Taylor offer becasue he is an idiot. I was hoping I woke up and it was reality.