Pennington to remain starter (1 Viewer)

[Koya]

Living in NY, I hear all the cries to out Pennington and bring in "the next savior" of the Jets franchise.

Terribly short sighted thinking, imo. Why?

BECAUSE THIS DECISION IS NO LONGER ABOUT WHEN TO TAKE CHAD OUT. THIS DECISION IS ABOUT WHEN TO PUT CLEMENS IN. Very different questions.

Chad has been pretty awful this year. The fact may very well be that with this team, his skill set can not lead them to the playoffs, not to say much beyond that. The fact may very well be that Clemens is the better option for this team.

BUT, take a breathe and think before you leap Jets fans.

First, once you switch, you can't switch back. Yes, Clemens looked very good. In practice. And the second half of preseason games playing against (as Mike Fatcessa put it) "truck drivers" - so can we temper the enthusiasm?

The fact is, this season is already all but lost for the Jets. WHY WOULD YOU TOSS IN A YOUNG QB ON THIS TEAM? You bring in Clemens not to win this year, because it is too late for that. You bring clemens in when you feel it is in HIS interest, and the teams LONG TERM interest to do so.

Right now, you through Clemens to the wolves. It makes a LOT more sense to quietly give him a few more snaps while privately letting him know that the time to shine may be coming soon.

Then, you take the two weeks for the bye and you have ample time to PROPERLY PREPARE "the savior v. 2007" for his first ever NFL start.

To do it any sooner would seem to only hurt Clemens (and therefore the Jets) long terms chances....

thoughts?

 

[Zoomanji]

I disagree. I'm not a Jets fan but I watched the debacle vs Philly.

Pennington's inability to throw longer than 10 yards kills their offense. Their WRs are good, TE is decent but opposing defenses can get 11 guys with-in 10 yards of the L.O.S. with no worries. They don't throw deep or medium for that matter.

The O-line, I hear isn't good but the looked about average Sunday IMO.

Put Clemens in, his ability to throw a ball over 15 yards will loosen up the D and allow TJ room to run. I don't think he'll get killed behind that O-line.

Maybe Clemens is much worse than we all think?

 

[ooofffaaa]

Long live Noodle Arm !!!!

 

[Koya]

I disagree. I'm not a Jets fan but I watched the debacle vs Philly.Pennington's inability to throw longer than 10 yards kills their offense. Their WRs are good, TE is decent but opposing defenses can get 11 guys with-in 10 yards of the L.O.S. with no worries. They don't throw deep or medium for that matter.The O-line, I hear isn't good but the looked about average Sunday IMO. Put Clemens in, his ability to throw a ball over 15 yards will loosen up the D and allow TJ room to run. I don't think he'll get killed behind that O-line.Maybe Clemens is much worse than we all think?

Did you read my post?THIS DECISION IS NOT ABOUT THIS SEASON. This season is lots. Why not put Clemens in when its BEST FOR CLEMENS AND THE FUTURE? That does not mean this week - it logically means after the bye with additional time to prepare.Clemens MAY give the Jets a better chance to win one, MAYBE two additional games this year if he comes in before the bye, and that is very questionable. So what do you gain by doing it, other than risking your "future" by putting him in one month before the ideal time?

 

[zamboni]

You do make some sense, Koya, but it's not like Clemens is a rookie. He's logged quite a bit of time in pre-season, practice and a few game situations.

If he's not playing yet, then clearly Mangini feels Chad gives the team the best chance to win. I'm not so sure that's the case anymore, but since Coach is the one that sees Clemens day in and day out, I'll give Eric the benefit of the doubt for now.

 

[Max Power]

Sorry JETS fans, but your season is over. Throw Clemens out there and let him get the Playing time under his belt to be a solid QB next season.

 

[Frenchy Fuqua]

Zero downside to putting Clemens in now.

1) The playoffs are a longshot at best and Pennington is clearly not the long-term answer. In fact he is costing them games now.

2) Clemens may be the long-term answer.

3) Even if Clemens is not "ready" after spending a year and a half learning the system, there is no better way to learn than by playing.

4) If he makes mistakes early, loses his confidence and never regains it then he's not their guy anyway. Time to get a QB in the 2008 draft.

 

[harryhood]

Sorry JETS fans, but your season is over. Throw Clemens out there and let him get the Playing time under his belt to be a solid QB next season.

Clemens started this year ON THE ROAD against the Ravens. What would be so different if he played next week? To me, it looks like they already threw him to the wolves, and he almost pulled out a huge comeback

 

[Koya]

I dont see ANY benefit to putting clemens in there now and I do see some downside. By the time he gets in AFTER the bye, if that is the game plan, the season is TOTALLY lost and it is experiment and build for next year OFFICIALLY. That is the best time to get this guy some time.

 

[RC94]

No way do the Jets brass admit this season is over just yet. Regardless, though, you play Clemens now because if in fact you are playing for next year it's better to get him some real game-time experience now so he will be more prepared next year when it really counts. If in fact they are still playing for this year (as dumb as that may sound), you put Clemens in now because he can't possibly do worse than Pennington. Either way, it makes sense to make the switch now and stick with the growing pains they will have to go through with Clemens.

 

[Kiddnets]

100% disagree

The season is lost - whats worse or the franchise - going 5-11 with a QB you know can't win and not knowing what you have in KC or going 5-11 and knowing what the kid can do.

The unknown factor kills the team - if it puts the kid in and he does well or just shows flashes - you know the QB position is in good hands and can draft for other needs. If he is a flop and looks awful with no improvement then you need to spend a high pick on a QB next year.

This is not an awful team - the same team won 10 games last year - there is a decent OL, solid RB and very good WRs. Throwing him in is not akin to throwing a newbie into a sinking ship. Remember the Giants were playoff contenders when they benched Warner for Eli and it was the right move

Also - waiting too long hurts as well - do it now to spark the team - waiting until week 11 at 2-8 will not help properly evaluate when many players have mailed it in,

The time is now - does Mangini have the sac though?

 

[Max Power]

I dont see ANY benefit to putting clemens in there now and I do see some downside. By the time he gets in AFTER the bye, if that is the game plan, the season is TOTALLY lost and it is experiment and build for next year OFFICIALLY. That is the best time to get this guy some time.

Im starting to think you just want an early pick in next years draft

 

[Kiddnets]

I dont see ANY benefit to putting clemens in there now and I do see some downside. By the time he gets in AFTER the bye, if that is the game plan, the season is TOTALLY lost and it is experiment and build for next year OFFICIALLY. That is the best time to get this guy some time.

Maybe you missed a few years ago when 5 games in at 1-4 the team benched an aging veteran VT and turned the team to a complete inexperienced and unknown Chad for a spark - results - went 10-6 and got the the 2nd rd of the playoffs. Make the move!!!!

 

[QuizGuy66]

*sigh* I think my Bengal secondary would be all the confidence that Clemens would need - look at the wonders it did for Derek Anderson

-QG

 

[Zoomanji]

I disagree. I'm not a Jets fan but I watched the debacle vs Philly.Pennington's inability to throw longer than 10 yards kills their offense. Their WRs are good, TE is decent but opposing defenses can get 11 guys with-in 10 yards of the L.O.S. with no worries. They don't throw deep or medium for that matter.The O-line, I hear isn't good but the looked about average Sunday IMO. Put Clemens in, his ability to throw a ball over 15 yards will loosen up the D and allow TJ room to run. I don't think he'll get killed behind that O-line.Maybe Clemens is much worse than we all think?

Did you read my post?THIS DECISION IS NOT ABOUT THIS SEASON. This season is lots. Why not put Clemens in when its BEST FOR CLEMENS AND THE FUTURE? That does not mean this week - it logically means after the bye with additional time to prepare.Clemens MAY give the Jets a better chance to win one, MAYBE two additional games this year if he comes in before the bye, and that is very questionable. So what do you gain by doing it, other than risking your "future" by putting him in one month before the ideal time?

I read your post. I didn't say to put him in this week. That leaves it up to the coaching staff. After the bye would make sense. Maybe he's already taking extra reps during the week. I don't know, I don't follow the Jets.Most likely whenever Mangini decides/realizes he can't win with Penny and needs to move on. Personally I would do it sooner and try to salvage the season but then again, I'm not a NFL coach.I don't see him playing this year as "risking the future". If that was the outlook, young QBs would never get a shot. How do you determine what the ideal time is?

 

[davearm]

Is this thread based on any sort of evidence that the Jets don't feel Clemens is ready to play?

 

[Koya]

Is this thread based on any sort of evidence that the Jets don't feel Clemens is ready to play?

If you want that evidence my best example would be the fact that, to date, even after watching both practice everyday and knowing a LOT more about the players AND the game than we all do combined, Clemens is still the backup.But again, I believe the best way to manage a young QB is give him the BEST SHOT at performing well from the getgo, and again, that seems to be with an extra week of prep for the Bye.

 

[EdwardCat]

Anyone named Clemens can't be any good.

 

[jcjets]

Making a change at QB doesn't solve the problem the Jets have on defense!

The only confusion they give to Off. Coordinators is that they have to decide if they want to successfully run or pass against them. Should we run on this play for a first down?, no let's pass for the first down, no let's run...ahhhhh time out!

 

[wickster33]

Clemens will be no more ready at the beginning of next season than he is now. Game speed is totally different from practice speed. I watched the Baltimore game, and Clemens looked like a deer in headlights during the first quarter. However, by the 4th quarter, he had relaxed and was making excellent reads. He'll make some mistakes, but the only way to learn how to be a Pro QB is to play at the professional level. It worked for Romo, and if it doesn't work for Clemens, he wasn't going to be your QB anyway.

 

[The Kansas Comet]

Clemens will be no more ready at the beginning of next season than he is now. Game speed is totally different from practice speed. I watched the Baltimore game, and Clemens looked like a deer in headlights during the first quarter. However, by the 4th quarter, he had relaxed and was making excellent reads. He'll make some mistakes, but the only way to learn how to be a Pro QB is to play at the professional level. It worked for Romo, and if it doesn't work for Clemens, he wasn't going to be your QB anyway.

Good point - the upside is to see what you have in Clemens and to give him game experience. If he's the kind of QB who needs all the pieces in place to be successful and won't be able to handle failure, then he's not the QB of the future at all. Plenty of excellent QB's have sucked early on and learned from it. Plenty of lousy QB's have sucked early on and were unable to deal with it. The Jets need to find out sooner rather than later, because if they wait until next season only to find out Clemens isn't the guy they thought he was, then they've thrown away 2008 and will still be looking for a QB. What else needs to be there for Clemens? He's got a solid RB (and a good third down back), two good receivers (and Smith is starting to look better), and a mediocre offensive line. You can't really wait to throw him in until all the pieces on the o-line are in place, because by then maybe the receiver corps isn't as good, or perhaps Jones gets hurt, or any number of things. There are a lot of pieces in place for Clemens to be successful right now, in my opinion. But Mangini, for whatever reason, feels Pennington's inability to throw deep or to the sidelines is best for his team.

 

[Iwannabeacowboybaby!]

Living in NY, I hear all the cries to out Pennington and bring in "the next savior" of the Jets franchise.Terribly short sighted thinking, imo. Why?BECAUSE THIS DECISION IS NO LONGER ABOUT WHEN TO TAKE CHAD OUT. THIS DECISION IS ABOUT WHEN TO PUT CLEMENS IN. Very different questions.Chad has been pretty awful this year. The fact may very well be that with this team, his skill set can not lead them to the playoffs, not to say much beyond that. The fact may very well be that Clemens is the better option for this team.BUT, take a breathe and think before you leap Jets fans.First, once you switch, you can't switch back. Yes, Clemens looked very good. In practice. And the second half of preseason games playing against (as Mike Fatcessa put it) "truck drivers" - so can we temper the enthusiasm?The fact is, this season is already all but lost for the Jets. WHY WOULD YOU TOSS IN A YOUNG QB ON THIS TEAM? You bring in Clemens not to win this year, because it is too late for that. You bring clemens in when you feel it is in HIS interest, and the teams LONG TERM interest to do so.Right now, you through Clemens to the wolves. It makes a LOT more sense to quietly give him a few more snaps while privately letting him know that the time to shine may be coming soon.Then, you take the two weeks for the bye and you have ample time to PROPERLY PREPARE "the savior v. 2007" for his first ever NFL start.To do it any sooner would seem to only hurt Clemens (and therefore the Jets) long terms chances....thoughts?

Sure, give back 50 percent of the money to the people who paid full price in season tickets for this season since they're basically not putting in their best players available to win games. As a Jets fan this season, I don't know how I could pay full price and honostly support that kind of thinking.It's been proven both ways to put a QB in the line of fire and to hold them back as far as success goes. I do agree that you can't put in Clemens and then yank him due to any kind of play unless he gets hurt but if he's healthy and a better option, I'd play him.

 

[MCguidance]

Living in NY, I hear all the cries to out Pennington and bring in "the next savior" of the Jets franchise.Terribly short sighted thinking, imo. Why?BECAUSE THIS DECISION IS NO LONGER ABOUT WHEN TO TAKE CHAD OUT. THIS DECISION IS ABOUT WHEN TO PUT CLEMENS IN. Very different questions.Chad has been pretty awful this year. The fact may very well be that with this team, his skill set can not lead them to the playoffs, not to say much beyond that. The fact may very well be that Clemens is the better option for this team.BUT, take a breathe and think before you leap Jets fans.First, once you switch, you can't switch back. Yes, Clemens looked very good. In practice. And the second half of preseason games playing against (as Mike Fatcessa put it) "truck drivers" - so can we temper the enthusiasm?The fact is, this season is already all but lost for the Jets. WHY WOULD YOU TOSS IN A YOUNG QB ON THIS TEAM? You bring in Clemens not to win this year, because it is too late for that. You bring clemens in when you feel it is in HIS interest, and the teams LONG TERM interest to do so.Right now, you through Clemens to the wolves. It makes a LOT more sense to quietly give him a few more snaps while privately letting him know that the time to shine may be coming soon.Then, you take the two weeks for the bye and you have ample time to PROPERLY PREPARE "the savior v. 2007" for his first ever NFL start.To do it any sooner would seem to only hurt Clemens (and therefore the Jets) long terms chances....thoughts?

I took a BREATH..and I will not THROW Clemens to the wolves. So you are saying it is up to Clemens and "his interest" on when to bring him in? In short, you are saying it is up to Clemens to decide when he is ready? Interesting.

 

[Lemmiwinks]

The best way to learn to play QB is to... play QB! He's been around long enough, time to get him in there and see what he can do. Pennington is no longer the future.

 

[Rovers]

I disagree, Koya, and I am a both a Jets and Chad Pennington fan. This season is over. For the first time this year, the O line did a good job of run blocking, but the Philly front seven isn't very good. On the other hand, this O line is at least average at pass blocking. Putting Clemens in isn't Carr the II, as Houston had no pass protection whatsoever. He will get adequate protection. Why start Clemens now? To find out if next year's first round pick should be a QB, that's why.

Opposing teams now know how to defend the dink and dunk, which is the only kind of offensive attack Pennington can run. He is floating balls worse than he ever has before. Let's not wait until Cotchery and Coles are lost due to concussions, constsantly being hung out to dry.

Why won't Mangini make the change?

1. He thinks the Jets still have an outside shot at the playoffs.

2. He thinks Pennington gives the team the best chance to win.

3. He is acting a little scared right now, and may be afraid of losing the team, as Pennington was voted by these players as the team captain. He IS the leader on offense. Baker had some pretty critical comments after the Philly game, and TJ was more tactful, but also let his feelings be known.

4. He knows that some players will give up on this year, as going to Clemens will signal that the FO and CS has also given up on this year.

This team needs a spark. Clemens might be that spark. At least we know he can stretch the field, something chad just can't do. Clemens is more mobile, has a strong arm, appears to be a bright kid and deserves his chance. The last thing I want to see is Clemens getting his first start in week 1 of 2008. Let's see if we need to draft another QB NOW, not next year.

 

[Koya]

Living in NY, I hear all the cries to out Pennington and bring in "the next savior" of the Jets franchise.Terribly short sighted thinking, imo. Why?BECAUSE THIS DECISION IS NO LONGER ABOUT WHEN TO TAKE CHAD OUT. THIS DECISION IS ABOUT WHEN TO PUT CLEMENS IN. Very different questions.Chad has been pretty awful this year. The fact may very well be that with this team, his skill set can not lead them to the playoffs, not to say much beyond that. The fact may very well be that Clemens is the better option for this team.BUT, take a breathe and think before you leap Jets fans.First, once you switch, you can't switch back. Yes, Clemens looked very good. In practice. And the second half of preseason games playing against (as Mike Fatcessa put it) "truck drivers" - so can we temper the enthusiasm?The fact is, this season is already all but lost for the Jets. WHY WOULD YOU TOSS IN A YOUNG QB ON THIS TEAM? You bring in Clemens not to win this year, because it is too late for that. You bring clemens in when you feel it is in HIS interest, and the teams LONG TERM interest to do so.Right now, you through Clemens to the wolves. It makes a LOT more sense to quietly give him a few more snaps while privately letting him know that the time to shine may be coming soon.Then, you take the two weeks for the bye and you have ample time to PROPERLY PREPARE "the savior v. 2007" for his first ever NFL start.To do it any sooner would seem to only hurt Clemens (and therefore the Jets) long terms chances....thoughts?

Sure, give back 50 percent of the money to the people who paid full price in season tickets for this season since they're basically not putting in their best players available to win games. As a Jets fan this season, I don't know how I could pay full price and honostly support that kind of thinking.It's been proven both ways to put a QB in the line of fire and to hold them back as far as success goes. I do agree that you can't put in Clemens and then yank him due to any kind of play unless he gets hurt but if he's healthy and a better option, I'd play him.

(1) What makes you think a first time starter at QB even with a much stronger arm will help the team win, if the coaches who watch the two every day think otherwise?(2) MORE IMPORTANTLY, it is JUST this shortsightedness of some Jets fans that I alluded to in my OP. For the CHANCE to MAYBE win another game or two THIS year, you are willing to take the downside of not waiting until the bye by which you give the new, young QB and potential future QB of the franchise the BEST CHANCE to have a successful game, season and career? This is no longer about this year alone... this has to be about the shape of the franchise. You willing to jeopardize that for the chance to maybe win another couple games this year?

 

[Koya]

Living in NY, I hear all the cries to out Pennington and bring in "the next savior" of the Jets franchise.Terribly short sighted thinking, imo. Why?BECAUSE THIS DECISION IS NO LONGER ABOUT WHEN TO TAKE CHAD OUT. THIS DECISION IS ABOUT WHEN TO PUT CLEMENS IN. Very different questions.Chad has been pretty awful this year. The fact may very well be that with this team, his skill set can not lead them to the playoffs, not to say much beyond that. The fact may very well be that Clemens is the better option for this team.BUT, take a breathe and think before you leap Jets fans.First, once you switch, you can't switch back. Yes, Clemens looked very good. In practice. And the second half of preseason games playing against (as Mike Fatcessa put it) "truck drivers" - so can we temper the enthusiasm?The fact is, this season is already all but lost for the Jets. WHY WOULD YOU TOSS IN A YOUNG QB ON THIS TEAM? You bring in Clemens not to win this year, because it is too late for that. You bring clemens in when you feel it is in HIS interest, and the teams LONG TERM interest to do so.Right now, you through Clemens to the wolves. It makes a LOT more sense to quietly give him a few more snaps while privately letting him know that the time to shine may be coming soon.Then, you take the two weeks for the bye and you have ample time to PROPERLY PREPARE "the savior v. 2007" for his first ever NFL start.To do it any sooner would seem to only hurt Clemens (and therefore the Jets) long terms chances....thoughts?

I took a BREATH..and I will not THROW Clemens to the wolves. So you are saying it is up to Clemens and "his interest" on when to bring him in? In short, you are saying it is up to Clemens to decide when he is ready? Interesting.

Huh? I am saying it makes perfect sense to give him an additional week of work during the bye and THEN bring him in - with plenty of games still remaining to (1) get him experience for next year and/or (2) determine if Clemens really is the answer. If after those 6 games things are looking bad for Clemens, you can plan accordingly in the draft and via FA

 

[Koya]

I disagree, Koya, and I am a both a Jets and Chad Pennington fan. This season is over. For the first time this year, the O line did a good job of run blocking, but the Philly front seven isn't very good. On the other hand, this O line is at least average at pass blocking. Putting Clemens in isn't Carr the II, as Houston had no pass protection whatsoever. He will get adequate protection. Why start Clemens now? To find out if next year's first round pick should be a QB, that's why. Opposing teams now know how to defend the dink and dunk, which is the only kind of offensive attack Pennington can run. He is floating balls worse than he ever has before. Let's not wait until Cotchery and Coles are lost due to concussions, constsantly being hung out to dry. Why won't Mangini make the change? 1. He thinks the Jets still have an outside shot at the playoffs. 2. He thinks Pennington gives the team the best chance to win.3. He is acting a little scared right now, and may be afraid of losing the team, as Pennington was voted by these players as the team captain. He IS the leader on offense. Baker had some pretty critical comments after the Philly game, and TJ was more tactful, but also let his feelings be known. 4. He knows that some players will give up on this year, as going to Clemens will signal that the FO and CS has also given up on this year. This team needs a spark. Clemens might be that spark. At least we know he can stretch the field, something chad just can't do. Clemens is more mobile, has a strong arm, appears to be a bright kid and deserves his chance. The last thing I want to see is Clemens getting his first start in week 1 of 2008. Let's see if we need to draft another QB NOW, not next year.

We agree on just about everything you mentioned in your post.But I am NOT saying wait until next year. I am saying wait ONE MONTH until the bye so you BEST PREPARE Clemens for success. That is the best move for the future health of the franchise.

 

[bigfeet_88]

Waiting 1 month (after the bye) and playing him against Pittsburg would seem more like throwing him to the wolves than playing him against Cinci.

 

[Koya]

Waiting 1 month (after the bye) and playing him against Pittsburg would seem more like throwing him to the wolves than playing him against Cinci.

I dont think Pittsburgh's defense is SO tough as to warrant worrying. NE I would be worried about because they are so damn smart and you have no idea wtf they are doing... but that extra week of prep should really help imo.

 

[bigfeet_88]

I dont think Pittsburgh's defense is SO tough as to warrant worrying.

Holmgren made this mistake as well.

 

[Koya]

I dont think Pittsburgh's defense is SO tough as to warrant worrying.

Holmgren made this mistake as well.

Worrying about winning? Sure. Worrying about a QB's life and the effect it will have on his progression of career? Not in my opinion.They will lose to the steelers, probably by a lot. But I dont see it as something that could set Clemens back.

 

[bigfeet_88]

Worrying about winning? Sure. Worrying about a QB's life and the effect it will have on his progression of career? Not in my opinion.They will lose to the steelers, probably by a lot. But I dont see it as something that could set Clemens back.

First, I am not a Pit Homer. Just questioning your logic here.Pitt is second in Pass Defense (yards per game allowed) and tied for 3rd in Sacks. Look what they can do to a proven QB like Hasselbeck. Even in their loss, they only allowed 1 pass TDCinci is 28th in Pass Def and in the lower half in sacksThe guy is not a rookie. He should know the system. I am sure he reads the paper, watches tv, looks at the internet.... with the amount of heat Pennington has been getting, I would hope he would be mentally preparing himself to take over at any point. Start him in Cinci. Get him off to a good start against a poor def. Definitely a good chance to win. Build his confidence and let's see how he rolls with that. Instead, you want to play him first against a pretty damn good Pitt team when they could be 1-8. You yourself stated they would probably get beat pretty bad (though an extra week to prepare would be good for him just to lose???).

 

[Koya]

Worrying about winning? Sure. Worrying about a QB's life and the effect it will have on his progression of career? Not in my opinion.They will lose to the steelers, probably by a lot. But I dont see it as something that could set Clemens back.

First, I am not a Pit Homer. Just questioning your logic here.Pitt is second in Pass Defense (yards per game allowed) and tied for 3rd in Sacks. Look what they can do to a proven QB like Hasselbeck. Even in their loss, they only allowed 1 pass TDCinci is 28th in Pass Def and in the lower half in sacksThe guy is not a rookie. He should know the system. I am sure he reads the paper, watches tv, looks at the internet.... with the amount of heat Pennington has been getting, I would hope he would be mentally preparing himself to take over at any point. Start him in Cinci. Get him off to a good start against a poor def. Definitely a good chance to win. Build his confidence and let's see how he rolls with that. Instead, you want to play him first against a pretty damn good Pitt team when they could be 1-8. You yourself stated they would probably get beat pretty bad (though an extra week to prepare would be good for him???).

No offense, but people are WAY to focused on SHORT time spans here... maybe it is the need to win the coming week's fantasy game (something from which, I suffer myself).There is a bye week - a full aditional week to take a young, first time starting QB and prepare him not just to win (or not lose badly) the FIRST GAME of his career.... but to prepare him FOR a career.IMO, having the full two weeks of a bye outweighs the negative in regard to Pittsburg. But for team continuity and the QBs long term prospect, the bye just makes too much sense.

 

[Rovers]

How many starts did Cutler get last year? Whatever the number, it wasn't enough, and I think it's fair to say Cutler is (was) a better NFL prospect than Clemens was. there is simply NO substitute for game time, taking snaps, getting used the speed of the NFL game, getting that experience that helps the butterflies disappear. Ig Clemens starts now, MAYBE by next year he's ready to take a team to the playoffs. Every week is lost time, throwing good money after bad at this point.

Having said that, Mangini is thinking the way you are, so it's a moot point. Pennington will start at least thru the bye. I also think starting Clemens against PIT is a bad idea. Sometimes I think Herman Edwards is still coaching this team. Mangini has regressed, and is playing not to lose. The risk taking he did last year is gone completely. He has become another play not to lose HC. I had higher hopes for this guy. Life as a Jets fan.... maybe I should blame it all on Joe Willy.

 

[J R]

I dont think Pittsburgh's defense is SO tough as to warrant worrying.

Holmgren made this mistake as well.

Worrying about winning? Sure. Worrying about a QB's life and the effect it will have on his progression of career? Not in my opinion.They will lose to the steelers, probably by a lot. But I dont see it as something that could set Clemens back.

If you don't think it's necessary to worry about any particular game or opposing defense, then the only reason we're waiting for Clemens is that he needs to have 2 weeks to prepare before the first game of the rest of his life? Why couldn't the counterargument just be that the bye week could better serve Clemens after he's had a couple of games under his belt?I'm not sure if it's consistent for you to worry about waiting for Clemens to start some particular game, but then not being worried about the quality of opposition or defense in that game.

 

[davearm]

Is this thread based on any sort of evidence that the Jets don't feel Clemens is ready to play?

If you want that evidence my best example would be the fact that, to date, even after watching both practice everyday and knowing a LOT more about the players AND the game than we all do combined, Clemens is still the backup.But again, I believe the best way to manage a young QB is give him the BEST SHOT at performing well from the getgo, and again, that seems to be with an extra week of prep for the Bye.

Just because Clemens hasn't been handed the job doesn't mean the coaching staff thinks he's not ready to play.As has been mentioned, the most likely explanation here is that they think Pennington gives them the best chance to win, and they haven't conceded the season yet.One other comment. You've made numerous references to using the bye week to prepare Clemens. Well I'm not sure quite what you have in mind, because AFAIK most teams give their players the bye week off. Guys come in to lift or run or what have you, and injured guys rehab, but there aren't meetings or practices happening. Correct me if I'm wrong in the case of the Jets, but AFAIK this is standard practice around the league.