The Norm Chow firing in Tennessee has caused some ripples around the football world. People are surprised that the Titans let such a respected offensive mind go after two years. Some have focused on how Chow didn't want Vince Young in the first place, which meant it was a doomed relationship and bad hire from day one, while others think Jeff Fisher didn't like the way Chow aired some negative thoughts about Young on public airwaves. Still others think the Titans threw Chow under the bus for Young's regression this season. It was a rough sophomore season, to be sure, with poor decision making and pocket presence rendering his athletic gifts moot. Jets Confidential writer Dan Leberfeld is in that camp and he thinks the Jets should learn a lesson from the whole situation.
The Jets have a young QB in Kellen Clemens who also had issues with pocket presence and reading defenses in 2007. The Jets brass needs to study the film to the nth degree and figure out whether these are inherent problems for Clemens, or a byproduct of youth. And they need to be honest with themselves. Don't think by firing coaches or adding more talent, Clemens is going to improve his weaknesses.How about if he has more than eight games under his belt?
Of course the Jets need to be honest in their evaluations of Clemens. Honest evaluations take time, patience and an understanding of the environment. How could you watch the Jets play this season and not think that a fair amount of Clemens' problems had to do with an awful offensive line? Young had a good line playing in front of him in Tennessee, and a strong defense as well, which is why the Titans made the playoffs despite his poor season.
Adding more talent might not take Clemens to the elite ranks of NFL quarterbacks but it's certainly worth a try before spending a high pick or free agent dollars on a new quarterback from outside the organization. It's also better than turning back to Chad Pennington, whose weaknesses are certainly not changing at this point in time. Offensively, the Jets need to improve the line and add a couple more targets before they can have much of an idea if Clemens has inherent issues or was just learning in a less than ideal situation.
Leberfeld argues that the Titans threw Chow under the bus because of Young's struggles. The Jets would be doing the same exact thing if they tossed Clemens now because of the inept offense he had around him.
(H/T The Jets Blog)
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
1-16-2008 @ 7:21PM
Nestea said...
I'm a Jet's fan and I think Clemens needs to be given more time. The Jet's offensive line stunk this year, and while Clemens didn't look great at times, it's worth remembering that Troy Aikman was largely considered a bust in his early days in Dallas. I admire Chad Pennington for his heart and intelligence, but he clearly lacks the arm strength to be a starter in the NFL. If not Clemens, then who else?
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1-16-2008 @ 8:42PM
Big Sam said...
Issues with pocket presence and reading defenses with a "bad" offensive line? Sounds like a young David Carr. Time to start looking for a different quarterback before it's too late.
Regards,
Houston Fan
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1-16-2008 @ 9:13PM
tobrien28 said...
Think Clemens deserves time? Ask Tom Coughlin and the Giants. Everyone ripped Manning so be patient. Maybe it works and maybe it doesn't but drafting a new QB (despite being a gamble) sets your team back 4 years.
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1-17-2008 @ 6:28AM
Nick Riggio aka Kentucky Jet said...
I wonder which QB would have looked great behind the JETS weak OL; lack of a #1 receiver and a game plan developed only for PENNINGTON. Young QBs struggle with consistency. CUTLER & YOUNG have does so and with far better teams! Why the rush to judgement on Clemens?
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1-17-2008 @ 6:37AM
Nick Riggio aka Kentucky Jet said...
why the rush to judgement concerning Kellen. I wonder which QB would have looked great behind our weak OL; lack of a #1 receiver with great speed; game plans suited for Kellen and not Chad; and a weak run game and a weak defense for half the year. ALL young QBs face inconsistency. Yet some only dump on KC for what reason? Oh, he replaced CHAD!
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1-17-2008 @ 12:39PM
charlie said...
how about forget the quarterback this whole problem was caused by the fact that we lost a probowl center and guard over the last 2 years cmon people lets just stop with mediocer coaches,gm's and staff that is all over the team.and get to the real problems hire top coaches and personel and get top results hire first year coaches and get first year results like anything else your only gonna get out what you put in the problem is we the fans keep accepting the owners ineptness and commitment.
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1-17-2008 @ 5:22PM
BK said...
charlie when mangini was a first year coach he went 10-6 and to the playoffs, who is a "top" coach? big sam too late for what is football ending? wait till next year the jets will be better
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