Schottenheimer: Clemens ahead in Jets QB derby By DENNIS WASZAK Jr., AP Sports Writer 4 hours, 15 minutes ago FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP)?Mark Sanchez zipped passes all over the field with precision Saturday, looking very much like the franchise quarterback the New York Jets expect him to be. That doesn?t necessarily mean the starting job is Sanchez?s to lose?yet. Both coach Rex Ryan and offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer have praised Sanchez?s work ethic and poise during rookie minicamp. But the two have also been quick to point out that holdover Kellen Clemens has performed well in offseason workouts. ?He has the head start and he is clearly ahead in terms of the system,? Schottenheimer said of Clemens. ?Not that Mark is doing badly at all, he is doing well. But things that come natural to Kellen, Sanchez has to think about.? Clemens, entering his fourth season, will compete with Sanchez for the starting job and appears to have his work cut out for him. The Jets traded up to get the fifth overall pick and draft Sanchez, whom they targeted early in the scouting process. ?I?m looking forward to watching these guys compete,? Schottenheimer said. Sanchez has been solid in all four rookie camp practices, particularly in Saturday afternoon?s session when he completed his first six throws in 7-on-7 drills. ?Going through the cadence everyday and saying the calls over and over again helps,? Sanchez said. ?It?s going to be that repetition that really makes me feel comfortable.? After calling an impromptu meeting of the offensive rookies Thursday night, Sanchez met with the offensive line Friday night. ?We had extra time and the bus wasn?t leaving yet,? Sanchez said, ?so we just all got together instead of sitting around staring at each other and watched a little film.? Sanchez has impressed Ryan with that kind of leadership, as well as his ability to retain increased amounts of the playbook. ?I think so far, so good,? Ryan said. ?Once we put in two straight weeks of it, day-in, day-out, we?ll see if it?s overwhelming to him, but right now clearly it?s not.? Schottenheimer has liked Sanchez?s accuracy, but is also surprised by his feet. ?He has very, very good footwork,? Schottenheimer said. ?He has quick feet. ? He?s ahead of the game with most college quarterbacks that I have been around in terms of footwork. That clearly gives him an advantage in terms of accuracy.?
I would hope that Clemens has a "head start"... this will be his fourth year here vs Sanchez' two days...
Yeah, I still think Sanchez is going to have to earn the starting QB job...these minicamps are really much ado about nothing. Not saying Sanchez isn't going to start this season, but he's going to have to earn it
I really like the bit about footwork. From what I've read that is one of the most important things for an NFL QB. You could see how good the footwork was with the limited video from minicamp. Viva La Sanchez!
Agreed...I think foot work is the most overlooked and important quality in EVERY sport. Why do you think Federer is so good?
The right thing to do is endorse Clemens, because he's the incumbent and you want to keep his confidence at least slightly up.
Clemens is not the incumbent. He was never named the Jet's starter after 2007 and was barely the starter for the second half of that season. Looking at him as the incumbent is committing an error both of fact and of the spirit of the thing. Clemens is just another QB candidate on the roster and his credentials are no better than Sanchez credentials at this point. In many ways they are worse because this is Clemens 4th year with the team and he still doesn't actually have the job of starting QB.
Sanchez has been with us 2 minutes , of course they aren't going to anoint him as the messiah just yet , but I really do think the job IS his to lose. He is showing and doing all the right things and his confidence is up , sitting him behind Clemens , (who must know the writings on the wall) will only damage his confidence. If the kid has all the tools and wants to get going , let him.
Yea.. we all know Sanchez is going to start at some point this season but it is only right to give Clemens a fair chance at the starting job...
That should not factor into it. I'm all for fairness , but this isn't a country club where players get turns. The Jets have invested big into Sanchez and if they feel that he can start and/or it would be the most benefit to the organisation and Sanchez , then he will start . IMHO they should have kept Ratliffe , but as an unproven QB HAD to keep KC.
