Since the news in the NFL has died down and we got bored and attacked our QB situation again, I'd like to take some time to shine a positive note on the younger QB who may or may not become our starter. This intrigued me-- Eli Manning and Kellen Clemens are the same QB, almost. I feel that Clemens may suffer the same fate of being attacked for 4 years before proving something. Hopefully it may result in the same thing, but progression doesn't happen in one season, it happens in 3 or 4. Lets look at the SB MVP's 1st year and Our Kellen Clemens' 1st year. Kellen Started one more game than Manning did- so Kellen will have slightly larger, not necessarily better numbers than Eli Manning. Manning Completed 95 passes out of 197 for a 48.2 Completion % - very poor Kellen Completed 130 passes out of 250 for 52 Completion %- not good either Average per pass attempt - Manning 5.3, Kellen 6.1-- our kid gets the win, as if he were playing in an offense that threw down field more. ha Passing yards don't mean much to me, they are 500 yrds apart so its a moot point. TD:INT is almost the same ratio-- Mannings 6:9 to Kellen's 6:10- What fan would be behind those #'s?? Their families maybe... Now, I would argue Manning had a better line, because he was sacked 13 times and Kellen was sacked more than twice as many as that. Their QB Ratings, a stat that diminishes in credibility has it's studied more and more.. Manning's 55.4 to Kellen's 60.9-- The kid gets another point. Both Fumbled and only lost 1 each, and their rushing stats won't be taken into an account, because it doesn't mean much to me. Their job is to pass, not run- unless its for their life. Kellen did run 4 times as much as Manning though. Bad O-Line if you ask me, but we all know that. Their Longest throws in their 1st years were over 50 yards, and both threw the ball regularly over 20, Kellen having more, but equally at 40+ at 4. If they both have similar starts, then why not have similar finishes? Patience must be learned, for I want to watch this kid grow-- We may be attacking this situation not, but we may be eating our words when all is said and done... Patience my brethren, it must be learned.
Ryan Leaf in his 2nd year in the league like Clemens 50.0% completion percentage, 11/18 TD:INT ratio Just as you can say, Clemens might have a good career (I still think people proclaiming Manning a great QB are being extremely premature), he's just as likely to be another bust from the northwest United States.
Agreed, Kellen has not proven anything yet. He can be a good QB, but I just dont see him being the QB of the future. I really like Chad. He has the arm strength to throw 40 yards down field and 50 yards in air but doesnt do so. He did throw a few deep balls but was more conservative in his game plan. His completion percentage of nearly 70 ranks very high and he gives the Jets the best chance to win behind the monsterous O line we now have in the middle. Bubba Franks gives him a tall end zone option the Jets never had in bunch of years. Mark my words, Chad will put up eye popping numbers this year.
Eli was a rookie Kellen had 2 preseasons, and a year and a half in the league. That is a huge difference. I read somewhere about a comparison of rookie year to second year QB's. It is a big concern when a second year guy struggles.
I'm still not on the Eli Manning bandwagon. Forgive me if I don't think he's an elite NFL quarterback. I still see him as a game manager. I think Clemens might be the same type of guy, and though the results so far are a little corrupted, since he was without many things he'll have this year, I'm going to reserve my judgement. That said, I've got a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach. In any event, comparing how bad he was his first year with Clemens as if it might be indicative of Clemens future success is intellectually bankrupt, as the Ryan Leaf comparison above shows. Moreover, to pursue such a theory while dismissing the relevance of QB rating, a VERY relevant metric that takes into account the most important aspects of the position, is pretty shaky ground. People like to dismiss that stat so they can heap loads of praise on guys who win with teams like, say, the Giants, who are more than likely successful because of some other considerable strength. A mediocre guy with an 80 QB rating can certainly win games in the right situation, but credit should be given where credits due. Quite frankly, I'd rather have the guy with the high QB rating most times. I can't look at his piss poor numbers and say "here's evidence that he'll win us a Super Bowl!." I know you didn't make such an insinuation, but the idea that any of his bad numbers can be construed as a positive is, as said, absurd. -X-
This isn't even going into the fact that Eli has always had a decent OL, more experienced coaches, and a top notch running game. What did suck for him in his career was that EVERYONE got injured on that team but Tiki. They'd lose their LT, their TE, and his favorite WR all at the same time, and he'd get ripped for not being magical enough to overcome those losses.
Kellen Clemens did nothing last season that was not expected from a first time starter at QB on a bad team with a terrible offensive line. If he'd actually done well he'd probably be headed for the hall of fame. All that we know right now is that the Jet's offense was so bad last year that it exposed all the flaws in an aging QB who knows how to dump off the ball with the best of them and it prevented a young QB from having a decent chance to get his feet on the ground. By game 7 or 8 this season we'll know what is up with Clemens and so will the Jet's FO. They can make their long-term decisions on him over the next 8 months as the information they need becomes available.
What is the concern when the so called smartest Qb in the league Chad Pennington goes 1-8 and the only win was an escape against the Dolphins. Do warning bells go off for a six year Vet?
Prior to the last 5 games of the season, people were ready to ride Manning out of town on a rail..just as they are Clemens. He had a good spurt when it mattered most. I don't really think you want to be making the comparison between the two. Not if you are a Clemens fan anyway which it appears you are. Personally, I see Clemens as a career backup. He may or may not get the chance to prove otherwise this year. You can bet if he does this will be his last chance.
While the #'s are less to be desired, i feel that a slow start is to be expected if he's our long term deal, but will ultimately turn it on and become a leader who can throw the deep ball and turn into what Manning did in the playoffs this year... we've seen flashes- once consistency and trust settle in with the O-Line, i think he can do it. It takes 30-40 games to fully evaluate. Pass the popcorn...
