the only thing to remember is 31 TDs and 10 picks as a senior at a major college program. Good enuf for me. It's not like he shined at some piddly no-name school.
Neither Brady nor Manning are considered mobile QBs. I don't think mobility is needed if the OL is good and the QB has pocket presence, which Ainge seems to have. I doubt he'll be ready to contribute this year, but it does give the Jets someone on the roster who could take over in 2009 if Clemens busts this year. This is another reason NOT to sign Favre. The Jets need to see if Clemens can play this season. If not, maybe Ainge gets the shot in 2009 and the Jets don't need to spend a high draft pick on a QB or blow the bank on some veteran free agent on the trash heep. If Favre is the QB in 2008, Clemens would play in 2009 and we could be in 2010 with the third QB in 3 years and a first year starter.
I've liked Ainge from the beginning. If I'd had a private email address I would've included him in each mock and sang his praises. Ainge is a guy I've seen a lot of in the past 3 years. I think he's a lot more like Chad Pennington than Kellen Clemens. Ainge is a guy who doesn't have the strongest arm in the world. His passes don't float, though. They stay true and are extremely catchable. He can throw a good deep ball, but it's more of a toss-it-up-there-and-let-them-go-and-get-it deep ball. He's below average when it comes to mobility, but can side-step the rush and is solid in the pocket. His accuracy is spotty, but when he gets it going its a pleasure to watch him play. He really knows what he's doing out there, and has a great head for the game. I think Ainge has what it takes to be a starter in the league. He won't be an elite, probably not even a top-10 starter. I compare him a lot to Philip Rivers. Rivers was obviously a much more lauded prospect, but Ainge shares a lot with Rivers: both were very productive in college, have great size, struggle at times with accuracy, and throw a softer ball. By 2010 Ainge deserves a chance to start if Clemens hasn't impressed us. He was a steal in the 5th round, I guarantee it.
I was calling for Ainge before the draft and I'm really glad we nabbed him. Personally, I think he's the second best pro prospect behind Brohm. It may take a few years and although I like Kellen, I think Ainge might just be the guy to watch out for down the road.
