I think Clemens had a bigger effect on the running game than we realize at first glance. Chad got the majority of snaps in 9 of the Jets 16 games. The Jets went 1-8 in those 9 games and rushed for 816 yards. Clemens got the majority of the snaps in 7 of the Jets 16 games and the Jets went 3-4 in those 7 games and rushed for 875 yards. Think about that for a second.
Some people have been bringing up the issue of Pennington's $7.8 million cap figure for 2008. I agree that it's an insane number for a backup QB, but what's the cap hit for cutting him? The Jets are probably just trying to increase their leverage in a trade, but the cap hit might be an issue as well.
A couple of things... #1) Chad is on record as saying he wants to be a starting QB somewhere next year. If Clemens is going to get his chance to show the CS what he has got, he obviously has to be the starter.. I don't think Chad is going to come back if he's told he will be the backup, at least until KC has a chance to show the CS if he has what it takes... #2) Chad, as we all know, is a very likable guy, who has been with the Jets for a long time. He has a lot of close friends in the organization, the locker-room, the media, etc. So long as he's in town, this will never be Clemens', or anyone else's team completely, as there will be people who will be wanting Chad to be the starter.
I hope you're right Br4dw4y, and those rushing stats are noteworthy. I just don't know how much faith we can put in those 3 wins. Clemens didn't beat a lot of teams that next year we're going to have to beat if we want 4 or more more wins. Hopefully, O-Line shores up and he'll settle down and throw good balls.
I guess it means that Schott called more runs with Clemens in there. Or maybe some pass plays ended up as runs because Clemens tucked the ball and ran...
This is just a gut feeling, but I think defenses might have been forced to play looser against Clemens than they did against Chad. He wasn't very accurate but he did take shots down the field 4 or 5 times a game and forced teams to defense the deep routes.
Good stuff, but let me ask you a question. assuming that Clemens starts next season, who would you want as the backup if Chad was dealt?
Our RBs were slightly better running the ball (and our QB was much better running the ball) when Clemens was in there, than when Chad was in there... Thomas Jones had 157 carries (out of 310 total) in games that Clemens got most of the snaps. He compiled 3.6 yards per carry, equal to his season's average. Leon Washington had 32 carries (out of 71 total) in those games. He averaged 5.53 YPC in those games. That is a FULL YARD higher than his YPC of 4.51 in the 9 games where Chad got the majority of the snaps. So while the numbers aren't drastically different, that our scat back performed so much better with Clemens at the helm is pretty indicative as to the affect of the threat of Clemens' arm on how we were defended. A guy like Washington is very effective against 7 men in the box, since he can usually make a move to make any LB or DL miss. DBs down in the box can limit his effectiveness, as they always do against smaller, quicker backs. Anyone who watched the games can attest that we faced fewer 8-man front with Clemens at the helm, than with Chad.... A guy like Thomas Jones' numbers aren't going to vary much behind such a crappy OL, as, for the most part, he spent this season grinding out the tough yards, and taking whatever he could get....
If they bring back Chad with an open competition in training camp, I really don't see a problem. Let Kellen beat him out in a fair contest, judging from his statements and the quotes about his character, I don't see him as being a disruption. As I said before, unless we are able to bring in somebody who is better, to release or trade him would be insane. We have the cap space to play around with this. Lets see how the off season goes. You never know what might happen between now and the Draft.
I'd actually want a vet to start and put Clemens back in as a backup. I agree with the Browning Nagle comparisons I've read.
I'd think any reliable veteran without any delusions about starting would make a nice #2. We simply need someone who can help Clemens out mentally, and be relied upon to keep us in games if Clemens were to go down. A Brad Johnson type guy would be ideal... Really, any guy like Pennington, without the history with the Jets, would make the best backup.... Guy's gotta be able to come in, know his role as a backup/mentor, and be happy with it....
Who else that is available? There must be a plan B in place before you trade the guy who started the season at his position. They cant make the same mistake as with Kendall, and not have a suitable replacement in place.
He's gonna be to expensive to be a back up for us next season but with Clemens being young maybe its good to keep Penny one more year.
Every single thing you said applied for Vinny too, but when Chad took over, there was never anybody wanting Vinny to play. Right now there are people who still want Chad to start because Clemens was a terrible QB this season. If he improves, starts playing well, and starts winning games everyone will jump on his bandwagon.
It would be a major blunder if we let Chad go, this is great news if they actually decide to keep him. The OL is the real problem, improve it an we can be a playoff contender again next year.
This can also be explained that the coaching staff with less confidence in Clemens committed to the running game a little more. Factor in a couple of reverses gaining yards and Clemens 100+ yards scrambling and that the Jets had more rushing yards in 3 of Clemens games becuase they went to OT, the actually running game was still about the same.
...do we think the teams around the league are desperate enough to trade for him, while they could just sit back and wait for him to get released instead?. He will have to approve a trade anyway..
