I was responding to the post I quoted, and if you read the thread again you will see me discussing Clemens at length. But thank you for asking.
I absolutely agree with you and we must remember that CHAD is a guy that has been hurt quite a bit. Kellen could be a hit away from starting and he nees work to be ready. I say let him start most preseason games with the first team!
Absolutely, brother. We're at the point where we need to know what we've got. Like I've said, I wish we could have played him more this year at some point, but we were too busy winning and heading for the wildcard. While it was a "good problem" to have (winning), it didn't get us any closer to seeing what we've really got here with Clemens.
What would be f----- nice is if the Jets could go out and kick some ass, and get Chad out and Clemens into the game sometime in the 4th quarter every once in awhile. It would also help clear the parking lot after games if they could blow some people away earlier in the game. Not every friggin game needs to come down inside of two minutes.
Waiting to be the starter is alway's a good thing ,unless your Elway,Marino,manning. The rookie sat back and listened to the play's being called to fimilarize himself with the play book. and where each guy should be like you see Chad re-set guy's who are in the wrpng place on the feild. After he's soaked up enough and that show's out on the p[laying feild(Practice-Training camp) then we will see the Future!
If Clemens proves himself during training camp, practice, offseason program, etc. He will get more opportunities. But to just start him in the preseason no matter what doesn't make any sense. Chad played 16 games last well, played well, and took the team to the playoffs. He should and probably will be looked at as the starter going into training camp, even if Mangini doesn't say so, and Clemens will have to beat him out in the chances he does get. They aren't going to just hand him more reps because we drafted him in the 2nd round, that goes against what Mangini talks about and believes in.
I don't think anyone is saying this (hand Clemens the job), certainly not me. The reality is, we'll probably be starting Chad again. They'll compete in TC and Chad will probably win, let's be totally realistic here. But this is the problem too... because in my mind, I need to see more of this kid... a lot more. And I need to see him "under the lights," as Parcells would say. I need to see him when he's down 31-7 in the 4th quarter after he's been sacked and pressured and beaten up all day. Like BP says, I don't want to see how he plays in his back yard with his dad throwing him the ball, I want to see him "under the lights." Our collossal dilemma is that Chad is probably not the answer to our SB dream and we need to see if this guy is. If he's the rightful successor to the throne, we need to find this out. And without playing him and making this determination, we're just ultimately wasting both our time and his.
I was talking about you (I think it was you, maybe someone else) saying that Clemens should start some of the preseason games. I disagree, excpet for maybe the 4th one when the starters usually don't even play. Preseason needs to be spent getting the team ready to win games. If he's not going to be the starting QB, then taking away Chad's reps with the first team isn't going to help. And while you, me, and all the fans need to see more of him to determine how good he is, our opinions don't count, it's the coaches, and those are the guys who will see him every day in the offseason program, minicamp, training camp, and he'll have to prove to them that he deserves more playing time.
Okay, I see your point. But it was me that said Clemens should start some of the preseason games, so you're correct about that. I'm certainly aware that our opinions do not count. I never suggested that they should ever amount to more than squat. After all, all we're doing here is voicing opinions, not mandating coaching decisions. But my point about the preseason games is this: I don't think Pennington has anything more to prove or show the coaches. I think we've already seen 95% of his good, bad and ugly. He already knows the program and system and has already demonstrated what he's capable of and not capable of. I don't think any of that particularly changes if we view Pennington for a couple more quarters of preseason football, do you? I (and the coaches) should want to see Clemens "under the lights." I say play the guy in the first half of every single preseason game. We already know what we have with Chad. Playing him in preseason is good for his rythm and timing... so play him in the second halves and let's get a real good look at Clemens in the first halves.
I have to agree with 227 here. Pennington needs no more than 3 or 4 quarters in the preseason to get ready. He's been there, done that, and can work on the timing patterns all day long in training camp. It's Clemens that needs live snaps, reading defenses, getting experience. He NEEDS to be ready if something happens to Pennington. Putting Clemens in only in the fourth game, against non-NFL calibre tallent isn't going to help his development. He needs time with the Jets starters against the starters of other NFL teams. As of now, he has about ZERO experience in that situation. He needs more, and the preseason is the time to give it to him.
Clemens saw more action in preseason than any other QB. He ranked last of all 5 QB's who saw action. He stunk.... The one game where he played with the first team vs the Giants first team defense he went 3-11 0 TD's 1 INT and a QB rating of 1.7 and he looked like little boy lost. Here's the preseason stats: http://www.nfl.com/teams/stats/NYJ/2006/pre He was a run and shoot compiler of stats as a senior in college. In pro style college offenses his first three years he didn't finish in a top 20 category in any statistical rating. All he has is the same rocket arm of Browning Nagle. But what a leader!
I hear you. A part of me does want to see Clemens get some time. It would help him, but I'm not sure if it helps the team. I realize Chad doesn't really need to prove anything in the preseason, but at the same time, if it wasn't important for the starting QB to get a decent amount of action in the preseason, than they wouldn't. But around the league you still see starters with nothing to prove all pretty much following the same pattern in the preseason. And I don't think Clemens should get special treatment just because he was a 2nd round pick. That goes against what Mangini believes in. If he really impresses in training camp, and shows he has a shot at being the starter next year, then sure, he should get some time with the first team. But if it becomes clear that Chad is the better player next year, than I don't think Clemens should be treated differently than other backup QB's. Chad didn't get extra playing time in the preseason when he backed up Vinny. I don't think Rivers did either. But I guess my stance could be different, because I believe Chad can win a superbowl. If Clemens proves he's better at some point, than yea he should start, but at this point I expect Chad to be the QB for the next few years
While I'd like to know what we have in Clemens, as well, by letting Clemens start every game in the preseason, you're either requiring the starting OL to play long stretches of the preseason (because Chad can't come in as second fiddle and play behind a patchwork OL of second stringers) or you're suggesting that Clemens play behind the patchwork OL vs. the opposing team's first string D, which is probably not going to enable him to show his ability with one arm tied behind his back. If the rotation system is employed again next preseason, and Chad's just not going to play in a couple of preseason games, then I guess the issue is moot.
