Johnson Weighs in on State of the Team From Joe Brescia - New York Times, for About.com Jun 17 2008 Woody Johnson would not tip his hand about who had the edge in the team's battle for the starting quarterback job when the Jets' owner was interviewed recently at a reception for the New Jersey Hall of Fame in Newark. "There will definitely be a competition between the two of them," said Johnson about Chad Pennington and Kellen Clemens. "No one is favored." Clemens replaced Pennington in the starting lineup halfway through the 2007 season. Although Pennington had superior statistics, the Jets won three games with Clemens as the starter and only one with Pennington. "I'm going to leave it up to the coach to make the decision," said Johnson, referring to Eric Mangini. The Jets' owner thinks whomever Mangini picks will have a much better chance of improving on last season's 4 and 12 record with the additions the team made through the draft, free agency and trades. "I think we had an excellent draft," said Johnson, who was high on linebacker Vernon Gholston, the No. 6 pick in the first round. "Gholston is going to be real good," he said. "We're very excited about him and the way the draft went." Johnson also liked Dustin Keller, the tight end grabbed with the 30th selection in the first round. Johnson and the Jets splurged in the free-agent market to upgrade the offensive line. They signed Alan Faneca, the seven-time Pro Bowl guard and added Damien Woody to play right tackle. On defense, they made a trade with the Carolina Panthers for defensive tackle Kris Jenkins. "We strengthened both sides of the ball,' Johnson said. "We plugged the holes that needed to be plugged. I think both sides of the ball are going to be better." Which means added pressure on Mangini to blend in the new players and turn the team around. "I'm hoping for improvement," Johnson said. According to the owner, he will not give Mangini an ultimatum to make the post-season to keep his job after last year's letdown. "I'm not saying the playoffs, but I hope we'll play better and win some games."
Although they are portraying it as a battle i think in my own mind that Clemens has already pretty much got it, he will have to have a bad pre season to lose it. Not sure why i just get that feeling.
"I'm going to leave it up to the coach to make the decision," said Johnson, referring to Eric Mangini. I'm glad you cleared that up Woody.
Probably because everything we've been hearing so far, it sounds like Pennington hasn't been doing a very good job. At this point if Clemens has a decent or better preseason the job is his no matter what Pennington does.
Revis I agree with you on feeling that Clemens has the edge here. I think Chad may be traded if a starter goes down somewhere, or is ineffective say... like... in Minnesota! I could see this competition raising both of their games and Chad being traded for some value. That would make total sense to me. I understand it leaves us with nothing at backup but we can pick up a vet to hold down the fort I'm sure.
Personally I don't think Chad has any trade value. I would love to be wrong on that, but you don't hear about other teams banging on the Jets' door demanding they get him.
And is there an owner in the league who possibly knows less about football than Woody? Sometimes it seems like our bad luck never ends.
We just have to wait for a team to get desperate enough, a team that likes to run the 5 yard slants. :grin:
Woody if Chad contiues to suck in practice would you consider unloading him by the end of June and reducing the cost of operations by 6 million dollars? "That's a coaching decision Joe, I have no problem keeping over paid dead weight on the roster if the coaches think that puts us in the best position to improve on our 4 & 12 record. We can roll it into the PSL's, did you notice how many season ticket holders kids own Pennington shirts?"
I like the fact that he is being realistic about the expectations and is being patient with Mangini. Maybe Woody gets it and things could look up for the organization.
Some owners struggle with that one and feel the need to get involved, I'm glad he isn't doing that. Let the football people make football decisions. He spent the money on players they said they needed, that's all he can do.
I think everyone does expect improvement and i would be pretty annoyed if after the players i brought in during the off season we went 4-12 or worse. I agree it's great that he is not saying, win 10 games etc, his expectations are realistic, improvement without necessarily lighting the league up.
chad in minnisota would be awesome. i think he could take them far into the playoffs. maybe we could trade him, and get simms from tampa.i don't know what they'd be looking to get for him, but it could'nt be much after what he's been through.
I think Georgia Frontiere probably knew less about football than Woody. It didn't seem to matter when they presented her the Lombardi Trophy in 1999/2000. I'm not a fan of Woody, but you don't need a coach as an owner. Many times it is a detriment. Look at Washington and Oakland.
Yeah, Chad could take the Vikes deep into the playoffs with his great arm and Chris Simms is a major upgrade over both Kellen and Chad. His resume is just so impressive. Maybe we should get Dante Culpepper to be Simms backup and bamm we could go far in the playoffs. You should be a GM!!!!!!!!
It's just funny to hear Woody quoted and realise he doesn't own the Jets because he loves the team, they just make a nice little toy that'll eventually gather dust next to his fleet of 747s and that bridge he bought in London.
Heh. I don't think this was the sole reason he bought the team, but I do think he saw the real estate side of operations as attractive, meaning the WSS in particular. That of course blew up, but he now can fool around with the lesser but still somewhat interesting new stadium deal. But I agree with you, I never get the sense when you read these articles about him from time to time that he's a real fan on any level.
Chad could have trade value for sure. Say, he has a good training camp, and some other team's starter goes down with an injury for the year. BINGO! Chad for a 2nd to save that team's day and lead them to an 8-8 record!
it's refreshing to see an owner that isn't meddling with his management team. Take notice Mr wilpon and dolan.
