http://rotoworld.com/content/home_NFL.aspx Jets signed fifth-round QB Erik Ainge to a four-year contract. The deal includes a $165,000 signing bonus. Danny's boy had an up-and-down career as basically a four-year starter at Tennessee, but is smart, accurate, and possesses ideal size at 6'6/225. Ainge isn't a candidate to start for New York this year, but it is quite possible that he'll emerge as a better option than Kellen Clemens down the road.
Something tells me he might surprise everyone in training camp. I think he could be backup if Chad doesn't do the job. I also think that Kellen has to watch his back, since Ainge might come out of no where and take the starting nod a year or two down the road.
Well I like the fact that this kid has started just about 4 years for a big name school that plays a lot of tough teams each and every year, I really like that. Kind of like the "SOS" in sports, I look @ this as a "SOC" Strength of competition type of thing. I really hope I never see Ainge as the Jets QB for the simple fact that would spell d-i-s-a-s-t-e-r for Kellen. I REALLY like the type of talent and potential that Kellen has, last year was his 1st year as a starting QB as a 2nd year player, mistakes and A LOT of mistakes were bound to happen. Lets see what he has in 08.
I have more faith in Ainge beeing the starter in 2-3 years than i do in Kellen right now. I just hope Kellen can surprise me.
I agree GJF. I'm still sticking to what I was saying before the draft that I thought Ainge was the 3rd best QB prospect in this class behind Brohm and Ryan. I thought whoever would get him post-2nd round would be getting a steal, and I still stick to the fact that I think he was a steal. I think he's got the potential to at least be a solid starter in the league, and perhaps more. He reminds me of the '02 version of Chad, pre injuries, with a bit more zip on the ball and a touch less accuracy.
Yep, the practice field. I am not sure why people are excited about Ainge. I saw a few of his games and he was pretty unremarkable. Add to that he is being billed as the poor man's Chad Pennington and I don't see how this guy would ever be anything more than a clipboard holder.
Fans tend to forget that AIKMAN,FAVRE,ELWAY,etc,were unremarkable thier first season. shit, the Falcons even traded Farve after his first year! now 'i'm not saying Clemens is going to be a HOF QB,or even a servicable one, for that matter, but i say the jury's still out.
Good only two more to go now. Once again nice job by Tannenbaum getting the rookies signed and in camp.
Dabrowski1, the guy is tending to business alright. I am especially excited about Lowery being in early.
Clemens is going to look like a midget next to Ainge. Comparisons to Chad should NOT include arm strength. Go look at some film. His has more zip now than Chad had pre-surgery. He's a terrific field general with good accuracy, but comparisons to Chad stop there.
Ainge is making the right move, getting into camp as early as he can. The "skull sessions" are going to spell the difference between the QBs, in my opinion -- who manages to take the best advantage of the learning the most so that their physical memory takes the place of the 'just-in-time-discovery' of the wannabe.
After the Jets drafted him, I went and saw tape of this kid and I liked what I saw...a lot. He's got great vision and I like his calmness in the pocket (which really impressed me). I also definitely saw more zip on his passes than Chad on his best day. Some negatives that I saw was him trying to put the ball into tight places. Those passes would get pick-6'd at the NFL-level. Another thing is his receivers making a lot of plays for Ainge as well. But, all that can be developed in the NFL. I'll hold judgment on Clemens to see how he holds up this year. However, I would not be surprised if this kid gets on the field earlier than most of us expect.
I posted these video's in another thread. I'll repost them here for those who didn't see them. Pretty excellent stuff http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5CCe9QtgLo http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swirXvK-cAg&NR=1
i don't think Ainge has anything going for him right now other than potential, which is what every rookie has in his pocket. you have to like Clemens' guts, mobility, arm strength and quick release. if his growth wasn't stunted by last year's horrible OL (i.e. Carr), then i don't see what's not to like about Clemens' potential either, just like Ainge -- only Clemens now has some experience.
I wouldn't expect Ainge to be getting enough snaps with the 1st team this year to tell us much of anything, honestly. Chad will do the job. Chad always does the job at TC. The red shirt works wonders. There's no way Ainge gets the #2 position unless Chad gets traded, and that won't happen because we need the experienced QB for insurance. You could be right on this one, but Clemens will have to completely stink up the field first. It's going to be Clemens' job by default and Clemens' job to lose through his own mistakes. But yeah... maybe two years down the road...
