ESPN "Checks-up" on our beloved Jets. http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/columns/story?columnist=sando_mike&id=3462014 A handful of NFL teams emerged from minicamps without a declared starting quarterback. Two of them play in the AFC East and the Jets are one of them. The organization committed massive contracts to veterans, including free-agent left guard Alan Faneca and linebacker Calvin Pace. How much will the changes help if the Jets don't find a consistently productive leader under center? What we learned from minicamp The Jets don't like any of their quarterbacks enough to name a starter before training camp. They know what Chad Pennington can give them when healthy. They know less about Kellen Clemens, who started half the games last season. Clemens, the Jets' second-round choice in 2006, would appear to represent the future. But how soon? Pennington's mindset Jets QB Chad Pennington talks about his mindset as he faces off with Kellen Clemens. The Jets alternated between Pennington and Clemens throughout their minicamps. No clear favorite emerged. Faneca, defensive tackle Kris Jenkins and running back Thomas Jones made more definitive impressions. Faneca carried himself like the new leader of the line, as expected after the Jets paid him $8 million a season. Jenkins attacked minicamps as if determined to prove the Carolina Panthers will miss him. Jones, meanwhile, seemed reinvigorated by the Jets' remade line. The anticipated punting battle between Ben Graham and Jeremy Kapinos ended abruptly when the team waived Kapinos. The Jets signed free-agent punter Joe Smith, a 27-year-old who had been playing for the Yakima (Wash.) Mavericks of the Evergreen Semi-Pro League. Still unresolved Tight end Chris Baker remains unhappy with his contract. Baker said the Jets promised to rework his deal. The team has suggested otherwise. Baker has dropped hints about his situation becoming a distraction in the mold of Pete Kendall's dispute last season. The Jets appear ready to move on without Baker after drafting Dustin Keller in the first round and signing free agent Bubba Franks as insurance. Every team seems to have an unknown receiver flashing potential this time of year, and the Jets are no exception. Chansi Stuckey, a seventh-round choice in 2007, reportedly has a shot at becoming the third receiver behind Laveranues Coles and Jerricho Cotchery. He'll have to prove it in training camp. Stuckey, 24, has never played in a regular-season NFL game. On defense, the Jets gave Eric Smith a long look at safety, but it's unclear whether he'll win the starting job alongside Kerry Rhodes. Abram Elam started half the games at strong safety last season. Smith and Erik Coleman split the remaining starts, but Coleman signed with the Atlanta Falcons in free agency. Smith, a third-round pick in 2006, has yet to seize the job. Elam missed time during minicamps while tending to the latest in a string of family tragedies (a brother was murdered in May). His well-established ability to persevere makes him a candidate to win the job. Injury analysis Justin Miller appears to be the favorite to start at right cornerback after a disastrous 2007 season that began with a hamstring injury and ended with reconstructive knee surgery after two games. Miller, a second-round pick in 2005, started eight games as a rookie, four in 2006 and none last season. He worked with the starters during minicamps, a clear indication the team wants him to emerge as more than a return specialist, even after the devastating injury. Pennington is in better position to win and keep the starting job at quarterback now that his right ankle has had time to heal. Pennington suffered a severe sprain early last season. An injured right ankle can make it harder for a right-handed quarterback to plant and throw with authority. Pennington's already-limited arm strength probably took a hit. Jenkins hasn't missed a game over the past two seasons, but weight problems have made his long-term durability a concern. Jenkins reported to Jets camp in better shape, saying he had lost more than 30 pounds. Mangini joked that Jenkins, who has admittedly threatened 400 pounds, made 360 look good. Confession time Perhaps no Jets player has more to prove than linebacker Bryan Thomas. The 29-year-old starter admitted to becoming complacent after signing a lucrative contract last offseason. The money wasn't necessarily what made him ease off, Thomas said, but no matter. He's put himself in position to produce or face questions about his effort level. The confession might prove instructive for Pace, who signed a $42 million contract as a free agent from the Arizona Cardinals. Training camp start date: July 16 - Rookies. July 23 - Veterans Mike Sando covers the NFL for ESPN.com.
I saw this earlier today but didn't know how to post this. It's awesome that Miller is likely to start at 2nd corner because obviously he has the most potential to be a great corner. If and I mean IF he develops into the CB he COULD be...our secondary would be great. Who cares about Thomas? Who cares about Baker? I'm still very disappointed we don't have a 2nd good safety on the team. Lots of articles say we "know what we get" with Pennington when we really don't. He hasn't had a line quite like this before, and the targets are back, and with Keller in the mix I think Penny could have one of the better seasons by an NFL quarterback.
Umm would like to give Miller a shot at that 2nd corner spot, and if he can stay healty that could be very productive. I think that Eric Smith could blossom into a good strong safety and i wasn't too dissapointed with Elam last year he showed signs of improvement. Everything else sounds good, i don't like that we don't have a set QB either but what are you gonna do about it.
Man you make our secondary sound like how Oakland's is now. Our secondary still is just an average secondary. Anyway, I don't mind not having a set QB tho I would like to have one of the elite QBs. Arizona does double QB and look how great Warner usually does.
If Eric Smith uses his genius brain to make up for his athletic short comings like Pennington uses his genius brain to make up for his athletic short comings we will have the same player - should have been a great career decimated by injuries.
i like our prospects in bouth Elam and Smith. Elam has issues in coverage but has enough awareness to know where the ballcarrier is at all times making him a stud in run defense. But thats moreso a LB's job. anyways Smith showed plenty of flashes anytime there was a deep ball he seemed to be in position to make plays but just didnt. but ive seen him nab a nice pick here n there. I hope for Smith to win the job cuz the guys an absolute ballhawk but if Elam wins I'll be fine. \ maybe with the lack of depth at CB, the whole Lowry to Safety idea is dead.
I pumped for Elam! This QB thing is just horrible. Everyones being so nice about it...puke!! I want to see a QB who wants to lead my team saying it should be me!! The sooner these jokers are gone the better. Which Ratliffe and Ainge..... This is going to be a horribly frustrating season, brilliant one game, complete garbage the next. Oh wait a typical season then :wink:
No he won't. His noodle arm limits the offense like no other - and having top quality line with bruising back like Thomas Jones will never counterbalance the weakness of his arm, with which all QBs are supposed to be judged. Who cares about pocket presence? Who cares about field awareness? At the end of the day, the arm strength is what wins the game, and Pennington just doesn't have it. QED.
Eric Smith is a damn good athlete...he had some of the best triangle numbers in the '06 class I'm pretty sure.
I thought his knock was his speed and change of direction? Did I read incorrectly about him? He ran a 4.63 for a safety. Not attractive, but in 06 he seemed to always be at the right spot when needed. Like the INT against Oakland.
I think Penny has the edge in this respect. If two throwing shoulder surgeries and half a season on the bench doesn't discourage you...you are a cocky mofo.
If Miller ends up starting at # 2, and plays up to his ability... the trio of Miller, Revis, and Rhodes is an extremely fast,athletic, and exciting group w/ alot of youth.
^ A homer is someone who will go to any length to convince others that everything the team does is good, even if it contradicts statements he has made previously. People can get excited about players all they want (I would also be thrilled if Miller could play to his potential in the #2 spot. We'd be a 2nd safety short of a top-notch secondary). But when someone gets in debate after debate backing up FO/CS moves, even when he has previously said he disagrees with similar moves/strategies, then he is a homer... There's a big difference And I know you were being sarcastic (as always) but I figured if you knew what a homer was, it would help you understand why you are so often accused of being one..
Uh huh...cause no ones ever heard something and not liked it...then actually saw it happen and liked it...which is basically what my crazy homer disease made me do. ...and didn't you already try to call me out for my John Kerry-esque flip flopping? Didn't I pwn that already?
^ Nope, wasn't me... But I did see and enjoy that debate.... And saying this offseason's available FA talent pool is weak, and that we shouldn't go out and spend a lot, and then praising the FO when we go out and spend a lot on FAs is pretty ridiculous....
Yea...you've got me. Maybe you can start a thread about it. Please do me (and most of this board a favor) and find an internet enemy somewhere else. Like...this thread should be dead right now when you think about it...but you actually took the time to make a post solely to talk shit.
If arm strength is what wins the game then, Jeff George, Ryan Leaf, David Klingler, would have all been winners. At the end of the day the end of the day, arm sterngth is a part of the equation, but it is not what wins the game. It is making the right throw, sometimes that requires arm strength, some times not.
