Let's not forget Ratliff either. Kellen has been quoted more throughout the Cutler ordeal and he has also shown his ability to perform in a real game. He has also shown his lack of ability here and there. Anyway, he could bitch and moan about not being wanted, but as he says, he uses it as motivation. If this is true, and he is focusing on being great this year even more than in the past, then we will now find out once and for all what he really has. I am looking forward to it, and I am hoping he gets his shot. I would not mind taking a QB at 17 if one of the top guys are still available and no other positions we need are still there, but I like what I have seen from Kellen and am interested to see what he can do with a legit O-line. The one thing you have to admit is that he doesn't seem shaken by his mistakes of the past. If he comes in mentally fresh with vigor and experience to build from, he may be a good QB for this team.
Even though Clemens wont ever say it, he knows what happened in 2007, he knew that the offensive line was embarrassing. I'm glad we are giving him a opportunity, this is a real competition, despite what Mangini said, i never thought that the competition with Pennington ever was a level competition. You couldn't of handled the situation any better than what Clemens has here, like you say he could of bitched and moaned, but he kept his head down, he is working to be the starter and the best of luck to him. I personally can't wait for this QB competition that should be fought on a level playing field, and may the best man win
Like I've been saying, I honestly feel that the 2007 disaster was a blessing in disguise for (Kellen) Because he was thrown into the fire as a 2nd year player behind a shitty O-Line with no run game and he survived without ruining his NFL career. Some say you never know what you have in a boxer until he gets Knocked out for the 1st time, will his heart and fight pick him up off the ground or will he stay down? In Kellen's case, he wasn't down for long and now he has a 2nd chance @ a rematch against opposing D's behind a tough O-Line along with a running game and talented Defense for support. All in all, you gotta learn to lose before you know how to win and Kellen did his fare share of losing in 07 but he also showed signs of a future in this league and Rex Ryan seen it first hand during the 4th quarter. Some QB's such as Ryan Leaf never had a chance after being thrown into the fire, they never had a chance to recover, regroup and actually LEARN from their mistakes while correcting them over the years. I honestly believe thats because they weren't in situations where they could actually hold the clip board their first 3 seasons and learn behind proven veterans like Pennington and Favre. It's a plus in my eyes that Kellen rode the pine behind those guys because now he has a burning desire to win and you can really see the fire in his attitude (He has yet to complain and cause locker room problems) and thats a SIGN of a solid leader...Work for your chance and make the best of it and I guess thats what Kellen is working hard on doing
i think we'll all be happy we didn't end up trading that first and what else for a QB... and hopefully we don't draft one and fill some other needs
Kellen has shown barely any ability to be a NFL QB. You can't be commended for not "bitching and moaning" when you haven't done anything to even allow you that chance. Look, it seems pretty evident to me that the NYJ organization doesn't think KC is the answer. I hope I am wrong, I hope they are wrong and I hope KC turns into a stud. I just don't see that happening. And I have no interest in employing another merely serviceable QB that wastes another five years for this franchise. Honestly, I'd rather see Ratliff or Ainge line-up under center this season than KC just to see what the two you kids have. KC had his chance and looked totally and completely lost and overmatched. (Save the "poor" O-line excuse. KC had happy feet poor decision-making and questionable accuracy.)
Now...In now shape or form am I comparing Kellen to Favre because that would just be insane to compare him to a future HOF QB who never missed a start, BUT...You may think that it's Evident that the Jets front office doesn't believe Kellen is the answer but just look @ the man in your avatar, I'm sure Atlanta never thought Favre was the answer. Look what happened. And all of that "Save the poor O-Line excuses" is insane. Without an O-Line...You aint winning in this leauge. It all starts up front in the trenches and without an O-Line you cant run the ball (Thomas Jones only had one TD in 07), Montgomery was the starting LG, where is he now? And Clement was the starting RT, once again...Where is he now? last year, after the additions of Faneca and Woody we actually had an O-Line...And Thomas Jones rushed for the AFC Crown and tied a Jets alltime rushing record for most TD's in a season I believe) Without an O-Line you cant run, poor decison's WILL BE MADE and without having time in the pocket...Happy feet will only come natural.
You are comparing Clemens to Favre even if you are saying your not. That aside, do you know the specifics of the Favre to GB deal? Favre was traded for a first round draft pick having thrown all of four NFL passes. Would Clemens garner a #1 pick from any team in the NFL? Is Clemens even tradeable?...I don't think so. Clemens looked completely inept in 2007. O-lines don't impact accuracy and instinct of which KC displayed neither.
I'm not ready to call it quits on this kid yet. That offensive line was putrid with such stalwarts as Adrian Clarke, Anthony Clement and Will Montgomery. Turnstiles. This kid showed a lot of for lack of a better term clutchness in the 4th quarter in a number of games. And for some reason some people on this board don't remember that. We all know about the Ravens game. That game should have been tied but McDroppin reared his ugly head. The second half of the Bills game they had to make things happen and he was moving the ball quickly. Did he throw two interceptions? Yes. Did he have a shit offensive line and have happy feet because he's still in his first season as a signal-caller? Absolutely. Tough as a rookie QB to come on in the second half and try to overcome a 10 point hole, but he moved the ball until trying to make too much happen. The point is I think it's extremely rash to judge a quarterback for the rest of his career on the number of appearances he's made in regular season games. And honestly, when he was the starter I saw a lot of things I liked. Good rapport with Cotchery. Strong arm. Quick release. He was 3-5 on games he started on a 4-12 team with one of those games being against a perfect New England team where he threw one pass. All I'm saying is give him a chance. He's had another year to sit and develop his game in a pro atmosphere and I just have a feeling his second chance at staking his claim of being a starting quarterback is going to be better then his first. At the very least now he's much more prepared, and has an infinitely better line.
If Kellen is using the disrespect against him as motivation, he'll be the most motivated player in the league.
The thing that concerns me more than Clemens' 2007 performance is his 2008 training camp performance. He was horrible....
He was bad but he wasn't horrible. Take the Redskins game.. KC went 5 for 12. He had receivers drop 4 or 5 passes on him that were on the money.. he also had whoever the backup center was step on his feet and trip him up twice. You really expect him to move the ball when that happens?
that's my biggest fear as well. what was seen in the 08 TC upset me because I was looking for his breakout year considering it was year #3. I was disappointed.
I forgot about that. I just remember the whole Pennington vs. Clemens competition and how KC kept throwin INTs every day and the sky was falling because Chad was winning.... UGH
You guys are really grasping at straws here. All evidence suggests we do not have a viable QB on the roster, that will remain until proven otherwise.
Couldn't agree more but let them dream. When he is still on the bench this September or on some other team they will finally start to get it.
