By Tom Rock
Kellen Clemens’ ascension up the quarterback hierarchy has begun. The rookie was listed as the backup quarterback for the first time in his career on Sunday, taking a step up from that No. 3 emergency role. Patrick Ramsey slipped to No. 3. Eric Mangini said that he would reconsider the quarterback roles on a week to week basis (like all other positions). Before you gasp too loudly, he later said that was only the case between Clemens and Ramsey. Chad is still No. 1.
Clemens was a tough guy to track down yesterday, but we eventually got him. Maybe he was still stinging from last week when he was kicked around for that wrong answer on Mangini’s pop quiz about the records of other playoff contenders. Anyway, it looks like Clemens is now the backup, so if Chad does have to leave the game before the fourth quarter, he’ll go in.
Not that he looked all that comfortable in his few snaps on Sunday in mop-up duty. But that’s just another example of how much Pennington means to this team. Without him out there, everything went haywire. They were a little haywire WITH him in there, but that’s besides the point.
It was nice seeing Mr. G at the Jets game, even though my foot is a little sore today.
Speaking of sore. WR Brad Smith came into the locker room with a large wrap on his shoulder. He looked like a pitcher who’d just gone seven and two-thirds. Smith wouldn’t talk about the injury, but as the super-duper emergency quarterback, he said it was not sore from over-throwing.
Had a chance to hang out with Jimmy C. and his buds at a tailgate before the game. Really nice set-up they have over there behind the practice bubble. They have a school bus that they painted white and green and decorated the interior to make it look like a football field. Then they cook all kinds of great food, shrimp and sausages, the whole works. Jimmy said earlier this season they roasted a whole pig, which was ready just in time for the post-game traffic.
Jimmy is a friend (and brother-in-law) of my high school baseball coach, Doug Robins. Some of you probably know Doug was diagnosed with a brain tumor a while back, but he’s doing OK now. We had a great chat a few days ago. Doug’s one of the biggest influences in my life and one of the handful of people I always strive to make proud of me. The bulk of you, I could care less!!!
Comments (7)
Doug Robins is a great man and coach. A great role model for kids and adults alike.
It's nice, but the JETS are never going to hear the end of it for using a number 4 pick for a left tackle instead a potenial francise QB like Leinart or Cutler.
No matter how good D'Brick becomes, you don't choose a tackle over a franchise QB with a number 4.
Hi Tommy!
It's Mr. "I". You used to hang out with my son Marc. Marc is now living upstate in Clarence outside of Buffalo. No, he is NOT a Bills fan. I would disown him. He is managing the Ernst & Young office in Buffalo. I live in Henderson, Nevada. We are really proud of you. You are doing a great job covering the Jets! Keep it up. I read your column every day. I am also a big fan of Doug Robins. Doug did a lot to help Marc be the ball player that he was. I am very glad to hear that he is doing better. Next time you speak with him say hello from me.
Keep up the good work and go JETS JETS JETS !!!!!
Al Izzo
Tom,
Not to disagree with your optimism argument from today’s article, but I ran a Monte Carlo simulation with the Jets and their playoff chances both before and after last week using the Vegas spreads for this week and the estimated spreads for the next two weeks in all 13 relevant games left in the AFC. ( In the long run, a 3.5 point favorite wins 58.5% of the time, an 11 pt dog wins 17% of the time, etc…) I ran the simulation 500,000 times, and got a 21% chance that the Jets will make the playoffs given the tie-breakers, opponents, and the opponents of the other teams in the playoff hunt. Last week, before the Bills game, it was 59%. Had they beat the Bills, there would have been a 63% chance.
The situation gets very dire if the Jags don’t lose to Tennessee this week. (As if 21% isn't dire enough)
What I don't understand is why Patrick Ramsey doesn't fit into the equation. If Clemens looked awkward in mop-up duty, does he seem like a sensible choice to be #2 while the Jets are still in the playoff hunt? It was obvious in the 3rd quarter that Pennington did not have it against the Bills. His arm looked dead and he was pressing hard. With a post-season berth in their sights, why the heck would they not give Ramsey a shot? He has had some success in this league, notwithstanding what that "genius" Gibbs has to say. I know it seems that Ramsey is not in their long term plans, but I'm not talking long term here, I'm talking about a relief pitcher to save the game. I think Mangini will prove to be a big dummy in the long run.
tom whats up it's steve walters brother can you somehow get me doug robins e-mail i heard about how sick he is just wanted to reach out to him, thanks shaun walters
RIP Doug Robins