Around the AFC East: Week Two (NYJ)

by Brian Galliford on May 30, 2008 12:32 PM EDT in AFC East Comment 6 comments

It's Friday, and that means we're back with another tour of the AFC East. Each week, we'll be talking to bloggers covering the Buffalo Bills' fiercest rivals - their divisional opponents. Today we'll break down the interviews into three posts - one for each team - and we'll now discuss the New York Jets with Brian Bassett from The Jets Blog:

I'm not a fan of them (see: Losman vs. Edwards), but maybe it'll help to hear about a different quarterback controversy. Clemens vs. Pennington: who starts, who sits, and how permanent is the opening day starter?

The Jets Blog: As ridiculous as it might sound, the offense looks to be much less reliant on QB this year. Word on the street is that the team will be moving more into power running and a vertical downfield offense and thus away from the West Coast that the team has run over the past two years - as evidenced by the addition of Bill Callahan as the line coach, the body shop at running back, Tony Richardson as a legit blocking back and upgrading the line with Alan Faneca and Damien Woody all during this past off-season. If they do try to throw downfield more, Pennington is in some serious trouble. I see Clemens as the opening day starter and that he'll get a long look during the 2008 campaign. The organization invested a second rounder two years ago in Clemens and he seems to fit the offense that the team is moving to better.

I hate to break it to Jets fans, but a power run, vertical downfield offense doesn't disguise the errors of QB play. We're only too aware of how Steve Fairchild's "power run, vertical downfield" offense couldn't prevent the downfall of J.P. Losman nor the struggles of Trent Edwards. It's not about the offense in this league, folks - it's about your quarterback being able to execute that offense, whatever the attack may be.

The Jets and their fans are in for a harsh reality if they're expecting their new offense to mask the deficiencies of their two quarterbacks. If I were a Jets fan (and I'm glad I'm not), I'd be pulling for Pennington to start - they have a team heavily laden with veterans, and Pennington has proven he can win. If they gamble with Clemens, they'd better be prepared to lose. A lot.

We've got one more installment of Around the AFC East coming later on this afternoon, as we discuss the Dolphins.

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Pennington has been

rebuilt more than Steve Austin, the six billion dollar man ($ adjusted for inflation and money funneled into Hilliary’s campaign), but without the bionic results. The Jets must be using parts from China!!! Penning ton is done as a starter. Even if he starts the season, he won’t finish it so what is the point. The Jets might as well find out what they have in Clemens.

by Joe P. on May 30, 2008 3:23 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Thanks TJB for your post.

I fly 12,000 miles every year to watch the Jets play the Bills. I dont want to be too negative here, but I think Mangenius is in for another rough ride after his cake schedule in 2006 (when the Bills were playing the toughest schedule in the league).

I hate to say it, my college roommate is a huge Jets fan, but I think they submarine Miami this year.

BTW Brian, comparing any offense, ever, to 2007 Fairchild is cruel and unusual punishment.

by Thronsen on May 30, 2008 3:54 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

No comparing here – merely making a point that an offensive system rarely masks errors at the QB position, using the Fairchild “offense” as an example. Let’s hope there’s some similarity between our ‘07 offense and the Jets’ ‘08 offense. :)

by Brian Galliford on May 30, 2008 4:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Clemens

Pennington has proven he can’t get this team over the hump. Clemens is the future until he proves otherwise. If I’m a Jets fan (I’m glad I never will be) than I want Clemens to win the job. I’d rather see the Jets go 6-10 with Clemens under center than 8-8 with Pennington. The Jets have to find out if Clemens is the long term answer and pushing off the answer to that question for another year so that Pennington can win enough games to make your team respectable is a bad move.

I agree with Brian that a system never masks the deficiencies of a QB. If Clemens really is tunrover prone the Jets will find that out regardless of what they run. If a QB is inaccurate or has poor arm strength, a system can’t hide those kinds of flaws. I do believe that a scheme that fits the QB can really bring out his strengths and make him a much better player.

by kaisertown on May 30, 2008 5:33 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Hey hey hey, think about US in this context guys

I WANT Clemens to start, why? Because with those idiots down there trying to create Fairchild 2.0 in NYJets land, we should be thrilled to play those dimbulbs twice a year, especially if Clemens is starting as he will make a lot of rookie mistakes even though he has been in the league for 2 years now.

I say start Pennington all through TC, then pray Manignoramus decides to pull a DelRio and go with Clemens opening day and we then get to play a kid who has no experience playing with the 1st team the whole offseason. Wow, that would make my season getting 4 wins off the Jets and Dolphins.

Fear the mighty helmet wearing gopher, he is coming for your soul....

by WABillsfan on May 30, 2008 6:20 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Unfortunetly I watch a lot of Jets games

I will say this, Pennington gets a bad rep, he’s better then most people think. I would rather see Clemons as starter, he’s younger and doesn’t seem to make the same smart game decisions that Pennington does.
The best way to look at it is this, Pennington is like an older Edwards (injuries have sapped what little arm strength he had however) and Clemons is like a younger J.P.
I would rather face a younger J.P.

The time has come for someone to put his foot down. And that foot is me.

by sireric on Jun 1, 2008 8:25 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs