So let's say we do bring Brunell in and he is either the #2 or #3 QB. Let's also say Tanny decides (finally) to only keep 3 QBs on the 53 man roster... who would you keep atm? Of course TC will decide this, but all of these guys have been in the NFL for at least a couple of years so I was wondering if any of you had any favorites... maybe based on college play too... Clemens is the safer choice. Never showed much but at least he knows the offense and has the most experience. Of course wether he can RUN the offense isn't a given but I'm confident he wouldn't screw up that bad if needed. He also seems to be a stand-up guy and has the favor of his team-mates. Ainge and O'Connell are both much less experienced. The upside is that maybe there's some hidden talent we can uncover... but that's always a crapshoot and it's not like every season someone can pull a "Whitehurst". Ainge has been around the Jets a year longer but O'Connell was drafted above him and we made a move (although small) to acquire him. In my opinion Clemens is the safer bet to keep. I don't think any of the three are more than career backups at best and Clemens personality and knowledge of the system give him the edge. It's not like we are looking for a new starter... we already have our starting QB for the next 10 years (hopefully). Clemens can be a really good backup imo and a great guy to work with so I'm all for keeping him here as a #2 for a long time. That said though if he still thinks he can be a starter somewhere we should let him go and at that point I'd keep O'Connell. I think he's more talented than Ainge... and if he sucks we can still cut him next year and bring back Clemens (who no way in hell will land a starting gig).
I know Clemens knows the playbook inside and out.....but nobody drops a bionic elbow on the turf in the pocket...under pressure...better than him He's got to go.
If any of them see extended time we're fucked anyway so I don't really care. I think Ainge has the highest upside amongst the bunch but hopefully we never need to find out about that. As for keep 4 QB's, I don't see any reason when we have a guy like Smith who can fill in in case of emergency.
I voted Ainge....like WSW said...he's got the upside, had a few seasons to study the playbook, and deserves a chance if called upon.
Oh I agree... but we've done it for 2 years straight! If you want to have a 4th QB keep him on the PS for god's sake!
I haven't seen anything of O'Connell or Ainge, but I'm pretty sure that I'd select a number of members of this website as back up QB ahead of seeing Kellen Clemens in green and white ever again.
Ainge was impressive in the preseason last year. I think Clemens is a goner, and the 3rd qb spot is between Ainge and O'Connell. Personally, I hope Ainge takes it. He seems like the kind of guy who doesnt wow you in drills or practice but just plays well in games. The #2 spot would be between Clemens and Brunell, and it seems like a foregone conclusion that Brunell is signing here, so I think that spell the end of Kellen.
Clemens is terrible he did not look good with the first team at all. So you think knowing the offense so long when he played against the 2nd team he would shred them. He didn't he looked horrible. Ok 3rd team he can get into a groove and move the offense...nope. This guy is finished maybe his psyche is shot after the Favre-draft-Sanchez whole thing. Ainge is our future backup has good size played well in the preseason. O'Connell I think will be traded and I think Clemens will be cut because no team wanted him this off season. Also don't forget the Buffalo game and how horrible Clemens looked.
I liked what I saw out as Ainge as well last preseason, I know you can't judge a player based on that, but Clemens did not look impressive at all! Not to mention that Clemens has never had a feel for the pocket or passrush....
And we must always come back to the brilliant stat that LT has thrown more touchdown passes in the NFL than Clemens. Nice guy and all that, but...... see ya.
We should make a trade to the Chargers for Billy Volek. Clemens, Ainge or O'Connell would all be good candidates for a trade.
I voted for Ainge, but would prefer to keep all 3 again and not sign Brunnell. If Brunnell is signed Clemens is the logical one to go as he'll be an UFA after the season. My bet would be if Brunnell is signed, O'connell and Ainge both stick since Brunnell is probably just here one year. As bad as Clemens has looked at times,he did show some flashes in 07 and I'd probably feel a bit more secure that he could manage a game or two if needed. However if Brunnell signs Clemens is gone
Clemens has not stepped up when provided the opportunity. He had the OL excuse back in 2007, when he was terrible, but what was his excuse last season? He's a deer in the headlights back there, even against very bad teams. I always liked the guy, and he has been a class act since he arrived, but we need someone back there ready to handle the pressure and make all the throws. Clemens has proven he is not that guy. I'm taking Ainge over O'Connell because we drafted him and he has never had any Pats stink on him. He also looked good in preseason, albeit against 3rd stringers.
Clemens was finished after that hit in the Patriots game. Now, he looks more like a shellshocked David Carr than a serviceable #2 QB. He looks terrified of the next big hit and you just can't effectively lead a team that way. Ainge at least seems to be a "gamer" in that although it was against 3rd string talent, he was consistently able to move the team and the fact is, even if those were 3rd string guys, they were deemed serviceable enough to be offered a tryout on a NFL team so they weren't Joes from off the block. Brunell or Ainge? We're not looking too good behind the Sanchize are we..
