THE GRID: WEEK 3

ANOTHER CLEMENS COULD SHINE IN GOTHAM
By Bryan Palmese, 4th & Goal

Quarterback controversy isn’t the word, but one could be brewing on the horizon in New York. Far too often, when a starting quarterback struggles or suffers a setback, people rush to usher in his replacement. After last weeks’ impressive start for sophomore signal caller Kellen Clemens, could the end be near for veteran Chad Pennington? Some would say not so fast, yet others that watched the Jets versus Ravens game last Sunday want Clemens under center for the Gang Green.

Let’s look at the current starter, Chad Pennington. The man just gets the job done and is a pure leader. His 65.2 completion percentage ranks second all-time (after Kurt Warner) and makes up for his inability to throw the long ball. The Jets offense has its roots in the West Coast Offense and relies on lots of quick hitters and check-downs. An intelligent quarterback is crucial to running this offense and this is where Pennington shines. His quarterback IQ is top notch and he knows what it takes to win games by utilizing his incredible leadership skills--- when he’s healthy. Since being named the starter in 2002, Pennington’s season has been halted by injury twice. When healthy, he has led the Jets to the playoffs all three seasons.

Kellen Clemens is the lesser known entity right now, but had a solid game in his first career start last week. He was the Jets second round pick in 2006 and had it not been for an injury in his last season at the University of Oregon, could’ve been a first round pick. He has everything you look for in a successful quarterback. He has a cannon for an arm and the accuracy to go along with it. He’s very conscious of situations on the field and makes great decisions of where to deliver the ball. He’s mobile in the sense that Brett Favre is. He can elude defenders, roll out and re-position himself to make the throw when the pocket collapses. Clemens’ scrambling keeps defenses honest and he knows when the proper time is to tuck the ball and gain ground on his own. Anyone that watched the Ravens game saw his ability to get his passes into tight windows that only his receivers can get to. His arm strength allowed the Jets to go downfield more and stretch the defense out. Normally, defenses would stack seven in the box and press the receivers at the line expecting the short passes. In addition, he made throws against one of the top defenses in the league and put his team in position to tie the game in the fourth quarter. His two-minute offensive drive on the road at the end of the game showed the poise that the 24-year old has. Standing at 6’2’’, some may question Clemens’ size, but you can look at quarterbacks like Drew Brees, Donovan McNabb and Brett Favre and squash that concern.

As great as intangibles and ceilings for player potential is, nothing is better than experience. Pennington has a lot of it and has succeeded on big stages before. He’s got great chemistry with wide receiver Laveranues Coles that dates back to Coles’ first tour of duty with the Jets before he was traded to Washington. Skeptics of Pennington always point out the weak arm that he has and how a quarterback that can’t air it out downfield can only take you so far. This is understandable and frustrating for fans. In addition to this weak arm, there are the injuries that have plagued Pennington. The injuries have been to his hand and shoulder which only adds fuel to the fire about his arm strength.

Clemens did play on a rather large collegiate stage at the University of Oregon. They were ranked and had success with Clemens at the helm. He guided them to an 8-1 start and in the thick of the BCS pack until an ankle injury sidelined him for the remainder of the season. Pennington is a great mentor for the young gunslinger and Clemens has made the most of it. Clemens will take his lumps in the league much like every quarterback does upon entering the league. Fortunately there isn’t a huge rush to get Clemens under center, so the Jets can take their time grooming him.

However, when a quarterback exceeds goals and is ahead of the curve, you get curious as to when the transition will be made from the veteran to the future. At 31, Pennington isn’t getting any younger. Continued losing or another injury to Penny, could give the green light to the Kellen Clemens era in New York. Sitting at 0-2 with a crucial divisional game this week at home versus the Dolphins, the Jets need to get back on track. Pennington gives the Jets the best chance to win, but a 0-3 start is not what the Jets expected to start off at, including a tough road game at Buffalo to follow next week. Pennington is no stranger to this situation. His career started off in 2002 when he got the nod over veteran Vinny Testarverde amidst a terrible 1-4 start. Pennington went 8-3 and led the Jets to a divisional title that year and the rest is history.

With only two games played in the season, it’s hard to gauge the Jets problems. Two tough games to start off the year including an injury to Pennington are the main reasons behind the weak start. Week one opponent was New England and they abused the Chargers last week and are expected to be Super Bowl bound. The Ravens are one of the other top teams in the NFL and their defense is stout. Pennington played mediocre in week one and Clemens played slightly better in game two. Clemens’ start was shaky, but after halftime, he got the jitters out and performed well when it mattered. Pennington has been limited in practice this week and is questionable for the game Sunday. If he can’t start, Jets fans will get another view of the future in Kellen Clemens.

Kellen Clemens, at this stage is a young poor-man’s version of Brett Favre. I know, I know -- big name to throw out there and lofty expectations to put on Clemens’ shoulders. If you watch video of this kid, and view both his mechanics and intangibles under a microscope, you will see glimpses of a young Favre. From the mobility, arm strength, leadership, drive and heart that Clemens possesses, the Jets and their fans should be excited about what the future holds. There’s no hurry to bring number eleven in. Odds are that the coaches and management will let the season and the play of the leader, Chad Pennington, dictate when it’s time to make the call to the bullpen.