Backup QB Scenarios

[Jetsfan80]

I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm hopeful that one of our lower-level priorities is shaking things up a bit on the QB depth chart, and wanted to hear some opinions.

SCENARIO A: Stand Pat (Clemens, Ainge, O'Connell)

Obviously, this is least preferable to me. We don't NEED to carry four QB's again, and while it seemed the Jets were hopeful there'd be a suitor for Kellen Clemens, its clear no one wants him. In addition, Ainge hasn't shown the Jets much of anything.

SCENARIO B: Sign veteran backup, cut 2 QB's

Some options would include UFA Mark Brunell (who we would have to wait until July to sign), Jeff Garcia, Marc Bulger, UFA Daunte Culpepper, UFA Josh McCown, and Jamarcus Russell. Signing one decent veteran QB would mean we'd be able to cut Clemens AND either O'Connell or Ainge, giving us 3 QB's.

SCENARIO C: Other ideas?

This is where you fine people of JetNation come in and hopefully bring an alternative solution to the table, if neither of the above is acceptable to you.

[hoping4ASuperBowl]

I think Brunell will sign with the Jets. And then I think that will allow the team to finally dump Clemens.

[Bx Jet Fan]

Mangina and Schotty both know that THE key to winning the SuperBowl is Ratliff. The Browns ownership screwed things up by bringing in Holmgren. Now Manginas master plan of jettisoning Anderson and Quinn and having Ratty lead the Browns to the promised land has been shattered by the addition of DelHomme, Wallace and McKoy.

Mangina can not bring himself to cut Ratty until he is sure the Jets have no room for him. With Schottys well known penchant for misdirection, we sign Jamarcus and Garcia, bringing our QB total to 7. At this point Mangini is convinced and cuts Rattliff and we make our moves. We sign Ratty, cut all of the other QBs and carry 16 Defensive backs. Super Bowl Baby!!!!!!!

[slats]

Scenario C would be sign Brunnell, cut Clemens, but keep the other two. Not what I want, but I could see them doing just that. I think they're undecided on both Ainge and O'Connell. They like them, but don't trust either to be the #2 just yet.

[Montreal Jet]

I just cannot see how Brunell would be an upgrade over Clemens

[kelticwizard]

After seeing Clemens against an overpowered and demoralized Tampa Bay, I can.

[Ghost]

I just cannot see how Brunell would be an upgrade over Clemens

Did you watch the Jets-Tampa Bay game last year?

[Obrien2Toon]

Bulger is the option of those guys.

If it's going to be Brunell, I'd rather just keep Clemens.

[billo83]

I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm hopeful that one of our lower-level priorities is shaking things up a bit on the QB depth chart, and wanted to hear some opinions.

SCENARIO A: Stand Pat (Clemens, Ainge, O'Connell)

Obviously, this is least preferable to me. We don't NEED to carry four QB's again, and while it seemed the Jets were hopeful there'd be a suitor for Kellen Clemens, its clear no one wants him. In addition, Ainge hasn't shown the Jets much of anything.

SCENARIO B: Sign veteran backup, cut 2 QB's

Some options would include UFA Mark Brunell (who we would have to wait until July to sign), Jeff Garcia, Marc Bulger, UFA Daunte Culpepper, UFA Josh McCown, and Jamarcus Russell. Signing one decent veteran QB would mean we'd be able to cut Clemens AND either O'Connell or Ainge, giving us 3 QB's.

SCENARIO C: Other ideas?

This is where you fine people of JetNation come in and hopefully bring an alternative solution to the table, if neither of the above is acceptable to you.

Please tell me how you know that Ainge hasn't shown the Jets anything? He was the 3rd stringer last year, so none of us really can say what he has shown thus far. If the Jets were willing to dangle Clemmens, I would think they were somewhat confident in Ainge or they would have signed another veteren.

I'm all for cutting Clemmens after his putrid performance against the Bucs. But none of the guys you listed, except maybe Bulger would add anything.

I think they go with Ainge and O'Connell unless there's a surprise cut somewhere

[Sperm Edwards]

I just cannot see how Brunell would be an upgrade over Clemens

I don't know if I'd go as far as saying I "cannot see how" given that I've seen Clemens, I also actually watched Brunell in the last game of the year vs Carolina (don't ask why, but I watched that entire game) and he looked 100% useless.

After seeing Clemens against an overpowered and demoralized Tampa Bay, I can.

Did you watch the Jets-Tampa Bay game last year?

I did. He wasn't allowed to throw the ball over 5 yards unless he was throwing it away or someone was stupidly wide open. It was obvious Rex had him on his "red light" status all game and his orders were: throw only to wide open receivers, throw it away, or take a sack. If you're throwing it away, do not throw it within 10 yards of any person wearing a football helmet. But under no circumstances throw the ball where there is a 1% chance of it being intercepted. Given the game's outcome, it's hard to argue with that strategy. Tampa was not an opponent that required taking unnecessary chances with, and we won 26-3 while in a playoff hunt late in the season.

As decidedly unimpressive as Clemens looked against Tampa, Brunell looked twice as bad against Carolina. The Saints had him for the past 2 seasons and have made zero attempt to re-sign him for a 3rd when he turns 40. If he ever even gets in a game again, he looked like his days of being able to complete a pass over 6 yards seem over. While Clemens may not exactly look like Peyton Manning by comparison, he at least has the edge of familiarity and has twice Brunell's arm at this stage. Even if he can't hit a receiver with it, neither can Brunell really. Unless the Saints were holding Brunell back, which seems silly given the risk-free opportunity to let a backup QB attempt some deeper passes in a game they were both losing and that didn't count either.

Clemens blows, but in terms of playing in Sanchez's stead due to injury, Brunell might actually be one of the few worse options. The only thing he offers over Clemens may be lending more experience to Sanchez on the sideline. If that's the extent of his worth, then hire him as a QB coach, not as a QB.

If they get him and Brunell shows he can still throw the ball, I will stand corrected. But the game I saw made this former pro bowl QB look like he'd never seen live action ever before.

[Maxman]

Thanks 80!

http://www.jetnation.com/?p=4325

[aec4]

I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm hopeful that one of our lower-level priorities is shaking things up a bit on the QB depth chart, and wanted to hear some opinions.

SCENARIO A: Stand Pat (Clemens, Ainge, O'Connell)

Obviously, this is least preferable to me. We don't NEED to carry four QB's again, and while it seemed the Jets were hopeful there'd be a suitor for Kellen Clemens, its clear no one wants him. In addition, Ainge hasn't shown the Jets much of anything.

SCENARIO B: Sign veteran backup, cut 2 QB's

Some options would include UFA Mark Brunell (who we would have to wait until July to sign), Jeff Garcia, Marc Bulger, UFA Daunte Culpepper, UFA Josh McCown, and Jamarcus Russell. Signing one decent veteran QB would mean we'd be able to cut Clemens AND either O'Connell or Ainge, giving us 3 QB's.

SCENARIO C: Other ideas?

This is where you fine people of JetNation come in and hopefully bring an alternative solution to the table, if neither of the above is acceptable to you.

Since when did Culpepper (at this point in his career) or Russell become "decent?"

[#27TheDominator]

SCENARIO C: Other ideas?

This is where you fine people of JetNation come in and hopefully bring an alternative solution to the table, if neither of the above is acceptable to you.

My scenario C is any two of the three Clemens, Ainge and O'Connell.

I'd like to see Clemens gone because they seem to have soured on him. They obviously like O'Connell or they wouldn't have traded for him. It made sense not to carry him as a legit option last year because he was acquired so late it was unlikely that he knew the offense. O'Connell was drafted before Ainge the same draft, so they may have preferred him all along. In my ideal world, they trade Clemens for a low pick and keep the other two.

For BillO, if Ainge had shown them anything Clemens probably wouldn't have remained their #2. Even after his performance in Tampa he remained the #2. I'm pretty sure they would have signed a veteran (Brunell) but they are unable to because of the Final Four rules. Much as I hate him, Jason Taylor is a much better signing than Brunell. They may pick him up when the rule is lifted in July. I don't think he was tendered so he should be available then.

[SouthernJet]

Trade for Kerry Collins in Tenn.

He is backup now, throw Tenn. a 4th or 5th..I bet they take it.

[Jetsfan80]

Trade for Kerry Collins in Tenn.

He is backup now, throw Tenn. a 4th or 5th..I bet they take it.

I wouldn't give up a 4th or 5th rounder for Collins. However, you're right that he's better than the other free agent QB's out there.

[Sperm Edwards]

Trade for Kerry Collins in Tenn.

He is backup now, throw Tenn. a 4th or 5th..I bet they take it.

I guarantee they'd take it. Then again, we'd also have taken a 7th round pick for Alan Faneca last month (and he's at least a starter).

Throw a 4th or 5th round pick for Kerry Collins, with 1 year left on his contract at $5.5M, to be the backup QB?

There is about the same chance of the Jets calling Testaverde out of retirement to be the #2.

[sirlancemehlot]

I don't know if I'd go as far as saying I "cannot see how" given that I've seen Clemens, I also actually watched Brunell in the last game of the year vs Carolina (don't ask why, but I watched that entire game) and he looked 100% useless.

I did. He wasn't allowed to throw the ball over 5 yards unless he was throwing it away or someone was stupidly wide open. It was obvious Rex had him on his "red light" status all game and his orders were: throw only to wide open receivers, throw it away, or take a sack. If you're throwing it away, do not throw it within 10 yards of any person wearing a football helmet. But under no circumstances throw the ball where there is a 1% chance of it being intercepted. Given the game's outcome, it's hard to argue with that strategy. Tampa was not an opponent that required taking unnecessary chances with, and we won 26-3 while in a playoff hunt late in the season.

As decidedly unimpressive as Clemens looked against Tampa, Brunell looked twice as bad against Carolina. The Saints had him for the past 2 seasons and have made zero attempt to re-sign him for a 3rd when he turns 40. If he ever even gets in a game again, he looked like his days of being able to complete a pass over 6 yards seem over. While Clemens may not exactly look like Peyton Manning by comparison, he at least has the edge of familiarity and has twice Brunell's arm at this stage. Even if he can't hit a receiver with it, neither can Brunell really. Unless the Saints were holding Brunell back, which seems silly given the risk-free opportunity to let a backup QB attempt some deeper passes in a game they were both losing and that didn't count either.

Clemens blows, but in terms of playing in Sanchez's stead due to injury, Brunell might actually be one of the few worse options. The only thing he offers over Clemens may be lending more experience to Sanchez on the sideline. If that's the extent of his worth, then hire him as a QB coach, not as a QB.

If they get him and Brunell shows he can still throw the ball, I will stand corrected. But the game I saw made this former pro bowl QB look like he'd never seen live action ever before.

Agree with all of this. Clemens isn't as awful as that Tampa game would suggest. He was very limited and a bit scared--most likely because Rex put the fear of God in him pre-game. All things being equal though, Brunell may get the nod as a journeyman mentor for Sanchez. a calming influence. Sanchez always had his father in his corner, Brunell might be a decent father-figure type going forward, and he's no threat competition-wise.

[Klecko73isGod]

Agree with all of this. Clemens isn't as awful as that Tampa game would suggest. He was very limited and a bit scared--most likely because Rex put the fear of God in him pre-game. All things being equal though, Brunell may get the nod as a journeyman mentor for Sanchez. a calming influence. Sanchez always had his father in his corner, Brunell might be a decent father-figure type going forward, and he's no threat competition-wise.

Then he sucks. If this guy is scared after being in this league for three-plus years he ain't ever going to be the guy anywhere.

[Greenranger]

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2010/05/27/brunell-likely-to-become-a-jet-eventually/

In April there was mutual interest between the Jets and free agent quarterback Mark Brunell, but the Jets couldn't sign Brunell because of the "Final Eight Plan."

But the Final Eight restriction (which says the eight teams that played in the divisional round of the playoffs can only sign as many unrestricted free agents as they lose) is lifted on July 22. And Brunell is likely to become a Jet after that.

Rich Cimini of ESPN.com reports that there's a feeling around the Jets that it's only a matter of time before Brunell signs with the team. The Jets and Brunell can't actually agree to a contract right now, but the team may have quietly assured Brunell that he'll get an offer on July 22, and Brunell may be willing to wait until then.

So by the time training camp starts, Brunell may be the backup to Mark Sanchez, and Kellen Clemens may be the odd man out. Clemens, a 2006 second-round pick, has said he'd like to go somewhere else because he'd like to compete for a starting job. According to Cimini, Clemens knows the writing is on the wall for him in New York.

[Sperm Edwards]

Hope that turns out for the best. They're both pretty useless on a football field at this point.

[Mistalava]

...He was very limited and a bit scared--most likely because Rex put the fear of God in him pre-game...

The exact qualities I am looking for in a QB.

[Larz]

I choose "c"

O'Connell lights up camp and wins the job, clemens is traded for seymour

[flgreen]

For what it

[73andMe]

Clemens or bring back Namath. Take your pick!