Interesting speculation in today's Star-Ledger on Pennington and who the Jets might draft in April: http://www.nj.com/sports/ledger/index.ssf?/base/sports-1/1196141834126760.xml&coll=1 Jets Are Giving Clemens A Pass Tuesday, November 27, 2007 BY DAVE HUTCHINSON Star-Ledger Staff HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. -- Jets coach Eric Mangini and several players rushed to the defense of second-year quarterback Kellen Clemens yesterday in the wake of his poor performance in a 34-3 drubbing by the Cowboys on Thanksgiving Day in Dallas. They said that if the offensive line had picked up a blitz or two, if running back Thomas Jones had been given any running room at all, or if a receiver had gotten open in a critical moment, maybe Clemens wouldn't have looked like a sandlot quarterback trying to make it in the big time. Clemens, making his fourth NFL start, completed just 12-of-27 passes for 142 yards, no touchdowns and one interception (returned 50 yards for a touchdown). He spent the afternoon running for his life, even throwing left-handed on one occasion as he was chased out of the pocket. He was sacked three times and pressured all game. Jones rushed for just 40 yards on 17 carries and the Jets were without No. 1 wide receiver Laveranues Coles (high left ankle sprain). "In order for (Clemens) to be effective, the offensive line needs to be effective, and they need to be effective in providing not just protection in terms of the pocket but also the ability to establish an effective running game," Mangini said. "To evaluate any position, you have to be working in all the different areas to give it an honest assessment." Against the Cowboys, the Jets had just 180 yards total offense and were a dismal 2-of-14 in third-down situation. "He's a young quarterback and we (the offensive line) have to be able to give him time to make his reads and do the things he needs to do," said right guard Brandon Moore. "(Against Dallas), we didn't come close. We didn't give him a lot of opportunities to do anything. That was by far our worst game. A lot of that wasn't on Kellen. Most of it wasn't." Said tight end Chris Baker: "Any quarterback, especially a young quarterback, their best friend is the running game. We need to pick up that part of our game. Also, we need to protect him and get open. It's a collective effort." Clemens, a second-round pick, speaks to the media on Wednesdays and wasn't available to comment. This season, he's 1-3 as the starter and has thrown three touchdowns and six interceptions. He has completed just 49.1 percent of his passes and has a 56.9 passer rating. He has led the Jets to just three touchdowns and hasn't stretched the field with his strong arm as many anticipated. Mangini refused to say that the final five games of the season would be an audition for Clemens for next season, saying each quarterback develops at a different pace. He added that Clemens has played against some of the league's best defenses in the Ravens, Steelers and Cowboys. The Jets (2-9), who play in Miami on Sunday, will likely have a top-five pick in the NFL Draft but it's unlikely they'll draft a quarterback with the pick. Early word from NFL insiders is that the Jets are eyeing Virginia defensive end Chris Long, the son of Hall of Famer Howie Long. The top quarterbacks in the draft are Brian Brohm (Louisville), Matt Ryan (Boston College) and Andre Woodson (Kentucky), and none appears to be a major upgrade over Clemens. The Jets will likely go defense with their first-round pick. If Clemens continues to have growing pains, Mangini is expected to ride it out with him, but the club will likely sign a veteran to compete with Clemens in training camp next summer. Chad Pennington isn't expected to return. Fact is, the Jets offense, ranked 30th in the NFL, looks the same under Clemens as it did under the much-maligned Pennington. Their 181 points rank 26th in the NFL. The Jets are averaging just 13.7 points in Clemens' four starts. "I didn't really go in with any set expectations at that position (quarterback) because there's so many things that play into that, and one of them is the ability to drop back and have a pocket that you can throw out of," said Mangini. "I think really the whole group needs to play better than we did in Dallas offensively."
He has a ton of talent, good bloodlines and a non stop motor. Problem is he is undersized for a 3-4 end and probably not fast enough to be a 3-4 OLB. IMO he is a bad fit for the Jets.
Here's what I found when I Googled him, but there's an error in the 2nd paragraph. It says Nix, blah, blah, blah... should be Long, blah, blah, blah..., when describing Chris Long's size: http://insidetheu.com/news/viewnews.php?v=473543e2de5ae
Anyone who says the offense looks the same is not paying attention. Yes, it's as bad if not worse, but it's for different reasons.
The description kind of reminds me of the Bengal's Justin Smith. Long will probably get picked right around the same point in the draft as well. Long's info looks like a good 4-3 DE, maybe strong side if he isn't really fast/quick. I don't know as I haven't seen him play. Maybe this "we like Long, but we'll leak it to the press" thing is a ploy. Try to make someone want to trade up to get him.
I totally agree, Scotty. The offense under Clemens doesn't look good statistically, but it's a totally different look than under Pennington. We need to give Clemens another year behind a better O-Line. Throw in one good, fast, physical, game-breaking WR as a target for him and look out.
which is exactly why the Jets "showing interest now" makes it all the more plausible they want him, if it really is a ploy.
Ahh, an island if reason in a sea of fucktardity. Contrary to even the posts on this thread (Don), just watch our boy tear it up against the fins, and don't bother commending him when he does well, cause then it'll be too little too late. As for Penny...unless his ego needs him to leave, I don't see why a veteran backup from another team is a better choice than a veteran familiar with the system. The only problems with keeping him are money and ego. If he agrees to stay for less than the many millions he is due on his current contract-great-problem solved. Otherwise, we're gonna get a Brad Johnson/Kelly Holcomb-type.
I benched Eli Manning for Kellen Clemens this week in fantasy, although that might not have anything to do with Clemens' ability. haha.
