Clemens might be Jets quarterback of future BY TOM ROCK | tom.rock@newsday.com August 7, 2007 He took control of the huddle, directed the offense, and seemed to be riding the confidence of his teammates. But the Jets quarterback who looked so good in the Green-White scrimmage Sunday wasn't Chad Pennington. It was Kellen Clemens. After a rocky start to his preseason, the second-year player gave a glimpse of what could be waiting in the Jets' wings. "Kellen looked very sharp," Jets coach Eric Mangini said. "That drive to start the second half [72 yards in nine plays to take a 17-10 lead] was very good. His command of the offense was very good. I was pleased." Clemens completed 14 of his 18 passes for 205 yards and two touchdowns. His one interception came on a deep pass to Justin McCareins, who had the ball wrested from his hands by Andre Dyson. Unlike earlier this summer, when Clemens appeared jittery, indecisive and overwhelmed, his solid performance in the scrimmage may have reaffirmed his standing as the quarterback of the future. At the very least, the possibility of playing a few snaps or even a few games without Pennington is no longer a nightmare. "Being in my second year in the system now, things are slowing down and I'm able to see things more," Clemens said.
Well then I can't wait to see him in the preseason. He doesn't need to look like a starter stuck at number 2 quite yet in my opinion, but he better at least look like he gets it.
Always glad to hear this kind of thing. Chad still gives us the best chance to win, I think, but it'd be nice to see that gap close.
It seems, from the reports I've read, the Kellen has steadily improved as camp has gone on. Hopefully the rough first couple days were just him shaking off the rust.
I hope he has a strong pre-season and solidifies his spot as the #2. It would be nice to have a developing QB of the future already two years into the process, but you never know what happens until he gets on the field in a real game.
Its not like youd see a quote -- "we overrated him. Not good. No concept of whats going on. Pray Chad doesnt get hurt."
True, but I don't think Mangini would praise him if he sucked, either. He'd likely say nothing. Lately I'm reading that Clemens is coming along better in camp, which is what camp is for. I'm really looking forward to seeing him in the pre-season.
True True - but if you remember from when Chad was backup to Vinny we rarely ever heard good things. In fact more of the opposite in that he just wasn't getting it done in practice and they didn't know if he could ever take the reins. So it's nice to hear that they at least think this kid is a player and can eventually at least push Chad possibly as early as next year. While I am a big Chad fan I think he would be the prefect backup QB to mentor and act as a second head coach out there to an up and coming young gun.
Definitley cant wait to see how he does in the pre-season... hopefully our O line can keep him from getting sacked all over the place and losing confidence however.
I think that instead of making that quote, they may have gone ahead and drafted a QB in the early rounds this season, a la Schlegel/Harris. Or at least they would have brought in a QB that could come in and start if Chad got hurt. They did not, and I think Clemens' early performance in camp is a testament to that.
