Clemens Rockets with Jets

Clemens Rockets With Jets
by: Brian Bohl | Senior Writer - NY Sports Day | Sunday, August 5, 2007



HEMPSTEAD, NY ? Kellen Clemens? NFL career commenced with the possibility of a heavy workload.

This time last year, the quarterback was competing with the rehabilitating Chad Pennington for the Jets? starting job. The latter eventually prove his surgically repaired right shoulder was sound, locking up the top spot en route to leading his team to a 10-6 mark and a playoff berth.

Clemens, a 2006 second-round draft pick, spent most of his rookie season holding a clipboard on the sideline. He appeared in only two regular season games, resulting in a painful growing experience after he was sacked four times. That was compared to just one pass attempt that fell incomplete, making it an uneventful inaugural campaign for the Burns, Oregon native.

With a full year to learn coordinator Brian Schottenhemier?s offense, Clemens said he is looking to learning the nuisances after studying the basics. Eight days into training camp, the 24-year-old is one of five listed quarterbacks on the bloated roster.

?Being in my second year, I?m trying to look at a lot of the intricacies of the offense and dive deeper into some of the run-blocking schemes, the pass protection,? Clemens said after a open practice at Hofstra University. ?Mentally, I have been trying to expand my knowledge of the offense in that aspect. I?m getting quite a few reps, so I?m trying to go out and improve each day.?

Despite being taken 49th overall, the former Oregon standout is now hoping to be the second passer on the depth chart after coach Eric Mangini said Pennington is the starter. But even the backup position is not a guarantee with Brad Smith being switched from wide receiver to quarterback.

Smith, taken two rounds later than Clemens in the same draft, is being worked out as a quarterback in addition to fulfilling his kick returning and wide receiver duties. Both second-year players are 6-2 and weigh over 210 pounds, so physical stature won?t be a factor in the decision. Mangini said the ability to lead a team in clutch situations could be a determining factor.

Two-minute simulations are a staple of the Jets? practices, giving Clemens a chance to prove his mettle. The Jets start the preseason Friday against the Falcons, which provides second string players ample playing time with the starters only playing in the first few series. Mangini said those exhibition performances provides a chance to expand on camp drills, though the second-year head coach indicated Clemens is showing maturity.

?He made some good plays in the two-minute drives,? Mangini said. ?They all haven't been pretty, but they've been effective. There was one on fourth-and-16 the other day. He had another one scrambling out of the pocket on the last play.

?That's a sign of improvement when you can have the awareness that I need to keep this play alive, I need to scramble around, wait for the receivers to get open, then do whatever you can do to get the ball in their hands ‑ or at least give them a shot to get the ball in their hands.?

The quarterbacks are noticeable standing on the practice field, and not just because they throw the best spirals. Four of the passers constantly wear red jerseys, while Smith alternates between red and white practice shirts. During special teams drills, the QB?s stand on the opposite field, working on snap counts and three or five-step drops.

Clemens said spending so much time with Pennington, Brett Ratliff and Marques Tuiasosopo fosters a unique relationship that is strengthened by the number of hours they spend together off ?the-field for film study and positional meetings.

?There is definitely a bond because we spend so much time together,? Clemens said. ?You absolutely form one whether you want to or not. It?s a great working relationship that we have between the four of us; five if you are counting Brad Smith, who has been getting a lot of reps. You are around each other all the time. We are all great friends, and they are a bunch of good guys to work with.?

He plays for a team with an aeronautical connection and his surname is Clemens, but he is still light years behind ?The Rocket? Roger Clemens in terms of popularity in New York. The other Clemens may not be able to throw a split-finger fastball, though he did his share of winning in college. Kellen started three years at Oregon, throwing for 2,406 yards and 19 touchdowns against just four interceptions his senior season to draw attention from professional scouts.

The Jets? executives drafted him as insurance in case their veteran starter was injured and also to obtain a raw prospect they could groom as the starter of the future. Pennington came into the league under similar circumstances, being taken late in the 2000 draft even though Vinny Testaverde was the starter.

Pennington appeared in just three games in his first two NFL seasons before emerging as one of the faces of the franchise. Now 31, Pennington said Clemens? career path could be similar to his own.

?Kellen works hard. A lot of times I?ll come in and he?s already here or I?ll be leaving and he stays a little bit later,? Pennington said. ?He?s just trying to soak up as much information as he can and be a sponge. I?ve been in that situation before.

?To me, being the backup is extremely hard because you never know when your opportunity is going to arise. You can?t plan for it but when it happens you should be able to take advantage of it. Kellen is doing all the necessary things and whenever his opportunity comes about I think he?ll be ready.?

Notes: Linebacker Jerry Mackey signed yesterday, returning to Long Island. The Freeport High School alumnus earned All-Nassau County and All-Long Island honors before playing four years for Syracuse.