but what's the basis for this? a hunch? (i know you didn't say it Section, just quoting your reply). that's like me saying, "I could just as well say, if we draft a QB next year - in whatever round - watch out, because he may start." and that hyopthetical QB has proven just as much as Ainge. it's gotta be either Clemens or Chad; hopefully Clemens.
Yeah, I think we're on the same page. My feeling is that this CS knows Chad Pennington pretty damn well now. In fact, they know just about everything there is to know about him, including the fact that he usually looks like Joe Montana incarnate at TC. They also know from firsthand observation what Chad looks like in real games. So they know him inside and out. There are some things, perhaps many things, that we still don't know about Clemens. And there's always the possibility that he's a better QB than he was last year, simply conditioning himself, practicing more and studying the playbook more. So this is why I'm saying that it would surprise me if this is not Clemens' job by default to lose. I think the bias will be toward Clemens, I think he'll be given every chance, and I think he'll get the majority of snaps with the 1st team. He's going to have to really stink it up in TC to lose to Pennington, because the CS knows once we go back there, we're going back to the land of the Dink-n-Dunk, the closely defended boxes, the Chinese Fire Drills, the inability to move the chains, etc., etc.
I have seen Ainge play in a bunch of games and I think he has the talent to be a poor mans Carson Palmer. But unfortunately he does not have is between the ears. If he can get a few years and mature he could turn into a decent pro.
As far as the Clemens-Ainge relationship and teh one young guy against the other, I was just thinking about that this morning as I was walking in the park with my walkman on. Werner Wolf is on the Imus In The Morning Show helping fill in for Don Imus, Anyway, Werner was saying that in all sports, everybody always needs competition to improve or get to the next level. He names many examples of golfers, tennis players, etc., who have benefitted from competition, and it's also true of bringing in a young guy like Ainge to push Clemens. Clemens will be hearing the footsteps, no question, but that will only make him a better player. So it can be said that bringing in Ainge does have an immediate positive effect on our QB position.
The kid has good potential, size & was playing in the tough competition of the SEC. I think he was an excellent pick in the 5th round of the draft. He would be a terrific find if it all worked out. If not, then he just joins our list of 5th rounders like Jason Pociask, Andre Maddox, Derek Pagel, Matt Walters, Jonathan Goodwin, Windrell Hayes & Jermaine Jones.
Seriously...I really like Ainge but WTF do you people know about him that makes him a better option than Clemens in the long term? He's more interesting than anything else...the perfect kind of QB to groom because he can fit into just about any kind of offense.
Your right. I'm one of the main people that are touting Ainge. I really like the selection, at the point it was made. Ainge is a true Boom or Bust type player. If he busts, oh well it was only a 5th. If he hits he has limitless upside. I don't think anyone is saying he is going to compete in this camp to replace Clemens. At least I hope their not
I watched alot of Tenn...and I've never heard the poor man's Chad Pennington comparison...but it's probably true that anyone who disagrees with you probably didn't REALLY see it like you did.
