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**RoyWilliams** · 09-17-2007, 06:21 PM

Clemens' performance may be start of end for Pennington

Quote:

Kellen Clemens found out about kickoff that he was going to start for Chad Pennington yesterday against one of the fiercest defenses in the NFL. And for three quarters he played like the nervous understudy melting under the glare of the hot lights.

Then a funny thing happened in the fourth quarter. The Jets coaches, desperate to get back into the game, went to a hurry-up offense. Things began to slow down for Clemens and he got comfortable. Clemens started to find his receivers for big plays - Jerricho Cotchery caught passes for 44 and 50 yards. All of a sudden a game that appeared lost was 20-13 with three minutes to play and Clemens was a few fingertips away from making things interesting - for the Ravens, for the Jets coaches and for Pennington.

After getting sacked four times, hurried seven times and knocked to the turf eight times in the first half, Clemens had a spectacular fourth quarter. He threw for 176 yards and a touchdown. But he underthrew Laveranues Coles in the end zone, and Justin McCareins dropped a sure TD pass on a crossing pattern and then had one bounce off his hands in the end zone that was intercepted by Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis.

"The last three big passes - the two to Justin and the one to Laveranues - we were just a little bit off," Clemens said. "It's frustrating, but that blame doesn't fall on anyone."

The Jets fell short, 20-13, and dropped to 0-2. But they have discovered a quarterback of the future. How distant is that future? The heat is on the Jets and Pennington. At the very least, Clemens played his way into another start while Pennington rests his sprained ankle.

The cruel Jets fans had cheered when Pennington went down and hobbled off the field last week against the Patriots. They were probably sickened by what they had done after three quarters of watching the Ravens chase Clemens around the field like a fugitive yesterday.

Now, they have some ammunition.

The line shows that Clemens was 19-of-37 for 260 yards, sacked four times, threw one touchdown pass and two interceptions. It does not tell the whole story: the tale of two halves.

"In the course of the game you try not to kick yourself too much," he said. "You look at the pictures, try to learn from it and move on. I'll probably kick myself when I look at the tape tomorrow."

Clemens was asked whether he thought he deserved another starting shot.

"Gosh. It's tough to say," Clemens said. "We'll go in on Monday and look at the tape and evaluate it. Then the coaches will make their decision."

Eric Mangini was quick to put down any notion that there was a brewing quarterback controversy.

"Chad is still the starter," Mangini said in his no-nonsense manner.

Pennington suited up and took some snaps during warmups before the game yesterday. He didn't look too steady dropping back and it would have been cruel to put a gimpy Pennington in the pocket against Lewis' ravenous bunch.

"I just thought at that point (during warmups) that Kellen gave us the best chance this week," Mangini said.

And Mangini's review of his backup?

"I thought he showed great poise," Mangini said. "This is a guy making his first start against an outstanding defense that gives multiple looks and pressure. He took their best shot and kept coming. There obviously were some things to work on, but there were a lot of positives."

The Ravens were also without their starter, Steve McNair, yesterday, instead going with backup Kyle Boller. The Jets let Boller off easy. The unit still doesn't have a sack and hasn't forced a fumble.

The Jets are in an 0-2 hole and don't want to drop any further. But things have gotten significantly more interesting in the backfield after what Clemens did against the Ravens in the fourth quarter.

Clemens believes his actions at the end are a reflection of the overall attitude of the team.

"It says we're not out," he said. "We're 0-2 and it's not the start that anyone dreamed up. We competed until the last seconds of this game. That shows a lot about the heart and the character of this team. We're disappointed with the loss, but we'll go back to work on Monday and get ready for the Dolphins."

Clemens played well enough to get another call next week.

DarrelleRevis24 · 09-18-2007, 05:39 PM

No chance

**RoyWilliams** · 09-18-2007, 07:28 PM

Yeah i saw today they said if healthy then Chad is still the starter.

**bigboy** · 09-18-2007, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarrelleRevis24

No chance

I wouldnt say that. The way he played in the 4th quarter vs that D impessed a lot of people especially after a very good pre-season.

I know they say Pennington will be the starter but he will be in the back of their mind if he starts slipping.

**Serrated Shadow** · 09-18-2007, 07:50 PM

If Mccaerins didn't drop those passes, this would be a much more potent argument IMO.

**bigboy** · 09-18-2007, 07:52 PM

I think the coaches see that though. Even with him dropping them Clemens was on the money that whole quarter against some insane blitzes.

ouchy · 09-19-2007, 12:45 AM

I think Clemens time is coming. If anything the coaches are happy to see him progressing. Chad is definetly on a bubble now where every mistake is going to be overly scrutinized.

InfinitePulse · 09-19-2007, 07:25 AM

Chad might never live up to his full potential with all the injuries he's suffered. But for my FF team's hopes, lets think positive. Although I'm not starting him either way. Except a bye.

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