There might come a time next spring (and who knows how many springs after that) when Kellen Clemens is going to need somebody to talk to. Somebody to tell him that, yes, there is light at the end of the tunnel. There will be only one person who can truly say that: Aaron Rodgers.The Jets and Brett Favre have both agreed to go year-by-year with Favre's future beyond 2008. Unlike past offseasons in Green Bay, this decision won't just be weighed by Favre's desire for the game. It'll also be dictated by how the Jets perform as well as how Favre feels after a year about his new location, teammates, and organization. One thing the decision won't be dictated by is Clemens.
So Clemens, like Rodgers, is a highly-drafted quarterback once penciled in as the franchise's future. Sure, Clemens already has five times more passes thrown in the NFL than Rodgers, and hasn't looked liked the Jets' future, but I don't think last year's team is the best barometer to judge a young quarterback who surely hasn't reached his ceiling.
And Clemens, like Rodgers, now gets to be the one whose development is stunted and hopes dashed by the annual will-he-or-won't-he seesawing Favre has now become famous for. Maybe Favre finds peace with himself after this year and retires, handing the team over to Clemens. But even if that's the decision Favre makes you can be sure he's going to labor over it intensely next year. Either way, Clemens' future is now stuck in the hands of a man who can't decide what to do with his own.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
8-07-2008 @ 4:44PM
46and2 said...
lets hope the organization stands up to Favre like Green Bay did. although after giving up a draft pick, especially if it winds up being a good one, I can't see the Jets giving a crap at all about Kellen Clemens.
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8-07-2008 @ 6:12PM
Elsquare said...
Favre vs GB. When the dust settles in GB and NY, Favre and the Jets will be recognized as having lost their epic battle. Favre is a year older and a year slower and still gives away two or three games a year with interceptions and fumbles. The jets do not have an offensive line that can keep Favre healthy and a strong enough running game to pick up the slack when the 'Favre pounding' begins. Clemens is a sprightly youth, but he was running for his life. Chad Pennington, the best of the three, was beaten into oblivion as a result of the Jets'second/third rate offensive line. Twaz a fine uproar while it lasted, but it is gone now and by mid-October the question in GB will be, "Favre who?" Favre must learn a new system, and face close observation by new teammates and NY sports writers. The Jets have made another damned grave mistake. Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Ol' Eli just keeps riding along toward the playoffs and maybe another shoot-out in the Big One without pore ol' Favre there to help the cause by throwing interceptions. Just to keep things in perspective, GB has two very good QBs behind Rodgers--inexperienced, but both comers.
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8-07-2008 @ 6:55PM
Bob said...
All the NY MEDIA talk about Pennington and his weak arm is garbage. Yes when a arm is injured it is weak, yes he had a so so 2007 season, torn ankle ligament and he still played and ended at 86.50 rating. He is now healthy, give him recievers and an Offensive line then watchout. He made Randy Moss at Marshall, played great with Coles in NY. The guy is a leader, very precise passer when healthy, a Peyton Manning field general, no fear attitude.Know he is healthy, some team is going to get a diamond in the rough, he's a winner.
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8-07-2008 @ 7:15PM
corless said...
Where do I begin, A couple of weeks ago Brett Favre had a plan, and I for one am really sick and tired of hearing about him every time I turn on the T.V. I can't help but feel that Brett Favre has an enormous EGO and that EGO is getting quite annoying!!
ESPN is just as guilty for feeding that EGO and subjecting us to constant reporting on this fool!!!!!
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8-08-2008 @ 1:38AM
JG said...
Elsquare - All QB's will screw up in games that lead to the teams loss, and sometimes the defense just has a better day than the QB. That is the nature of the game. do you even watch football?
The Jets DO have an offensive line and it's improved drastically. Clemens and chad don't have the vision like Favre does, he has seen it all so he would be more inclined to ditch the ball earlier than those two.
No running game? Thomas Jones had a bad year and still finished in the top ten in rushing yards. now that the Jets have someone who can make plays it helps the running game. all the other teams did last year was stack the line because they knew the Jets couldn't pass.
Two other good QB's behind Rogers???...lol Yes all three of their QB's have pro bowls under their name... DONE HAVE EVER STARTED A GAME!!!...
Elsquare - You're clearly an idiot and have NO idea what you're talking about. I hope you pay more attention this season.
Bob - Even when Chad first came into the league it was apparent that he didn't have a strong arm to begin with. Having two shoulder injuries just made it worse. His 86.5 rating is garbage with 10 TD's and 9 INT's. He probably would have ended up doing worse if he played the full season.
LOL...Oh please, what in the world are you talking about?!?!?...LOL "He made Randy Moss at Marshall"...WHAT! Randy Moss makes ALL the QB's he's with 10 times better. Culpepper for instance... Where is he now? Brady never had a season of over 30 TD's until they got Moss in his entire 8 seasons...
Chad's career is over, face it bud!
coreless - if you don't like what you see on TV or the Net you DO have the option of changing the chanel you know.
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8-08-2008 @ 5:04PM
Gina said...
Based on Clemen's performance last year I'd say it's not a given that's he's the Jets qb of the future like Aaron Rodgers was.
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8-11-2008 @ 12:30AM
George B Vieto said...
At least Kellen won't be taken to the woodshed by the New York newspapers for failing to win football games like Brett Favre will have to endure in New York.
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