Player Spotlight: Chad Pennington & Kellen Clemens (1 Viewer)

[Jason Wood]

2008 Player Spotlight Series

One of Footballguys best assets is our message board community. The Shark Pool is, in our view, the best place on the internet to discuss, debate and analyze all things fantasy football. In what's become an annual tradition, the Player Spotlight series is a key part of the preseason efforts. As many of you know, we consider the Player Spotlight threads the permanent record for analyzing the fantasy prospects of the player in question. Last year, we published more than 140 offensive spotlights covering the vast majority of expected skill position starters. This year will be no different.

Each week we will post a list of players to be discussed. Those threads will remain open for the entire preseason, and should be a central point to discussion expectations for the player in question. Importantly, analysis done in the first week of posting will be part of the permanent record in two ways. 1) At the end of the week, we will tally the projections into a consensus. 2) We will select a number of pull quotes from forum contributors who make a compelling statement or observation. Both the projections and pull quotes will be part of a published article on the main website.

Thread Topic: Chad Pennington & Kellen Clemens, QBs, New York Jets

Player Page Link: Chad Pennington Player Page

Player Page Link: Kellen Clemens Player Page

Each article will include:

Detailed viewpoint from a Footballguys staff member
Highlighted member commentary from the message board threads
FBG Projections
Consensus Member ProjectionsThe Rules

In order for this thread to provide maximum value, we ask that you follow a few simple guidelines:

Focus commentary on the player in question, and your expectations for said player
Back up your expectations in whatever manner you deem appropriate; avoid posts that simply say "I hate him" or "He's the best"
To be included in the final synopsis and consensus outlook, you MUST provide projections for the playerProjections should include (at a minimum):

For QBs: Passing Yards, Passing TDs, Ints, Rush Yards, Rush TDs
For RBs: Rushes, Rushing Yards, Rush TDs, Receptions, Receiving Yards, Receiving TDs
For WRs & TEs: Receptions, Receiving Yards, Receiving TDsNow let's get on with the conversation! We look forward to your contributions and let me offer a personal thanks in anticipation of the great debate and analysis.

 

[BigRed]

I like Clemens to win this job this year. Yeah he was erratic, but Pennington's career hasn't exactly been a model of consistency either, and Clemens is actually capable of throwing it more than 5 yds down the field.

Regardless, neither will be on my team, for what I hope are pretty obvious reasons.

 

[Chase Stuart]

Pennington, while far from a fantasy force, was actually pretty productive last year after adjusting for SOS. Pennington had one of the toughest schedules in the league last year, which masked his performance level.

On an adjusted game basis, he ranked 16th among QBs with at least 8 games: while far from exciting, that is ahead of Eli Manning, Jeff Garcia, Philip Rivers, Matt Schaub and Jason Campbell.

It's pretty unclear as to how many full games Pennington will play in 2008, but when he does play, he's a perfectly adequate QB2. Against weaker opponents, he's a pretty good spot-start, especially with the additions of Faneca/Woody/Keller. Obviously, though, his value has to be discounted by the fact that he may not be playing many complete games this season.

 

[BigRed]

Not to mention having no clue if he'll play vs weaker opponents, as I suspect he's on a real short leash at best.

Not even on my draft sheet.

 

[PlasmaDogPlasma]

My money is on Eric Ainge starting by the end of the year. He's an excellent QB and the future for the Jets. I wouldn't touch Pennington or Clemens with a 10-foot pole.

 

[MCguidance]

I figured I would try and keep the SP updated (as much as I can) on this QB battle.

Notes: "Make a decision"

Monday, July 28, 2008

Chad: Jets should 'make a decision'

While it still doesn't appear as if Brett Favre will land with the Jets, another quarterback thinks it would be beneficial for the team to give a verdict., one way or another.

"The bottom line is this," Chad Pennington said Sunday after practice, "sooner or later the organization has to make a decision one way or the other. And I hope it's sooner [rather] than later.

"I think for our team to be able to move on and accomplish the things we want to get accomplished, the things coach [Eric] Mangini and Mike [Tannenbaum] want to get accomplished, we've got to make a decision."

Pennington said that as far as he's concerned, "it's been business as usual. ... I feel really good about my progress and how everything is coming along."

Turnovers plaguing Clemens

Kellen Clemens had a solid day in Sunday's lone practice, but couldn't avoid throwing his fourth interception of camp. (Pennington has none.) This time, Clemens underthrew Laveranues Coles along the sideline and David Barrett made the pick. A turnover "hurts whether you're in practice or in a game," Clemens said. "I try not to let the competition affect the way that I approach it."

Briefs

Right tackle Damien Woody (eye) returned to practice after sitting out Saturday night's session, but was very limited. TE Chris Baker (back) still is on the PUP list.

- J.P. Pelzman

 

[MCguidance]

From a Jets blogger yesterday in the PM, local papers also had a smiliar take:

Kellen Clemens needs to get to the final (s) - meaning games - and he needs them quickly because after this evening’s practice this quarterback derby is starting to get away from him. He threw another interception, telegraphing a pass to Wallace Wright about 15 yards down the sideline that Darrelle Revis read from the start and easily picked. That makes it five interceptions for Clemens and zero for Pennington. Now, there was a sixth interception and there’s some debate on whether to count it. Because the quarterbacks are to finish each play out, Clemens, after being “sacked,” tossed a ball up for grabs in the back of the end zone that Eric Barton (E.B., again?!?) intercepted. Let’s keep it at 5-0 in interceptions because in a game situation, he would have not had a chance to throw the ball anyway. Besides, 5-0, 6-0, whatever; doesn’t matter at this point. Clemens is behind. Is this over? No, because some guys are just better in practice and these still aren’t “game” situations. But I would say the Cleveland game can’t get here soon enough for K.C.

Nothing final yet, but it seems Pennington has shown his saavy in the competition.

 

[valhallan]

What is up with Clemens? When I first saw him in last year's preseason and week 2 vs Baltimore, I thought I was seeing the beginning of a great quarterback - poise in the pocket, rocket passes, mobility, etc. But ever since then he's stunk and reports say he might even be worse now. Is he thinking too much?

I really felt the same when I first saw Clemens as I did when I first saw Brady, Roeth, and Romo. It appears my instincts are slipping..

 

[MCguidance]

What is up with Clemens? When I first saw him in last year's preseason and week 2 vs Baltimore, I thought I was seeing the beginning of a great quarterback - poise in the pocket, rocket passes, mobility, etc. But ever since then he's stunk and reports say he might even be worse now. Is he thinking too much? I really felt the same when I first saw Clemens as I did when I first saw Brady, Roeth, and Romo. It appears my instincts are slipping..

I think there are several factors at work here. First and foremost, people need to be aware of how well Chad does during training camp. He is likely to make very few mistakes. He has the respect of guys in the huddle, throws with great accuracy, and knows this playbook through and through. Second, Clemens is young, he has had very minimal real game experience. Sure, he had 8 weeks and reps with the first team in between, but there is a maturation process that comes with time. QBs don't all "get it" right away. Even guys like Big Ben struggle - look at that atrocious year he had (I know, I know, motorcycle accident, already had a Super Bowl in his pocket, etc.). My point is that guys will sometimes take 2 steps back and a step forward for a period of time before they improve, improve, and improve. That being said, Clemens needs to start taking some steps forward. He is a decent sized kid, moves well, and has an above average arm. It is the cerebral/thinking part of the game that Chad is far superior. Right now, if the Jets were to choose a player, Chad would be the guy - he manages the game very well. However, I am in the camp that believes Clemens will be a good quarterback - if given the opportunity. I often see this in baseball with young pitchers - forward, back, forward, back, traded, sent down, back. It takes time. The difference between the NFL and MLB, however, is that the NFL is a win-now league. Chad has the edge, but don't be surprised to see Clemens give him a run for his money and possibly take the competition. Just my two cents on the situation as of now.

 

[Patoons]

What is up with Clemens? When I first saw him in last year's preseason and week 2 vs Baltimore, I thought I was seeing the beginning of a great quarterback - poise in the pocket, rocket passes, mobility, etc. But ever since then he's stunk and reports say he might even be worse now. Is he thinking too much? I really felt the same when I first saw Clemens as I did when I first saw Brady, Roeth, and Romo. It appears my instincts are slipping..

I think there are several factors at work here. First and foremost, people need to be aware of how well Chad does during training camp. He is likely to make very few mistakes. He has the respect of guys in the huddle, throws with great accuracy, and knows this playbook through and through. Second, Clemens is young, he has had very minimal real game experience. Sure, he had 8 weeks and reps with the first team in between, but there is a maturation process that comes with time. QBs don't all "get it" right away. Even guys like Big Ben struggle - look at that atrocious year he had (I know, I know, motorcycle accident, already had a Super Bowl in his pocket, etc.). My point is that guys will sometimes take 2 steps back and a step forward for a period of time before they improve, improve, and improve. That being said, Clemens needs to start taking some steps forward. He is a decent sized kid, moves well, and has an above average arm. It is the cerebral/thinking part of the game that Chad is far superior. Right now, if the Jets were to choose a player, Chad would be the guy - he manages the game very well. However, I am in the camp that believes Clemens will be a good quarterback - if given the opportunity. I often see this in baseball with young pitchers - forward, back, forward, back, traded, sent down, back. It takes time. The difference between the NFL and MLB, however, is that the NFL is a win-now league. Chad has the edge, but don't be surprised to see Clemens give him a run for his money and possibly take the competition. Just my two cents on the situation as of now.

I don't see why at the end of the day it will be Pennington. Yes he is a game manager, however, his arm is atrocious and the out patterns play after play is tiresome and predictable, which is why he routinely gets picked off.Last season was Clemens first year under center with a shotty offensive line. He's got a pretty strong arm. I really think this "open competition" is to motivate Clemens (yes, a ploy). If they go with Pennington, they won't know where they should go with the QB in future years --- draft one or Clemens? If they give Clemens a shot and he fails, fine, draft a QB next year. If they go Pennington, the question will still loom. Jets didn't draft a QB early, I think its Clemens shot and opportunity to fail with the revamped line.Clemens: 2800 17/14