Kellen Clemens Dealt Low Blow In Brett Favre Injury Conspiracy

Someone said there’s a dead horse around here that still needs to learn who’s boss.

It’s no secret that Kellen Clemens never stood a chance against rookie Mark Sanchez in their quarterback competition this summer. But fans should wonder as to the true depth of the rabbit hole that houses the former second-round draft pick.

The tale of Clemens received a final exclamation point on Thursday when New York Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum confirmed Brett Favre’s claims of a smudged injury report.

The Vikings QB discussed his torn biceps with the Minnesota media, forcing the NFL to investigate the Jets for not disclosing Favre’s condition. As per league rules, the torn tendon should have been included on a weekly injury report.

Tannenbaum says the team did not disclose the 39-year-old’s status because he did not seek treatment for the tear. Instead, Favre opted for cortisone shots to relieve the discomfort.

And that’s where things get particuliarly ugly for Clemens.

While Favre claims he was “receptive to sitting,” Tannenbaum maintains that the decision to stay with Favre was reached collectively.

With Favre’s support, former coach Eric Mangini, former QB coach Brian Daboll, offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer, and Tannenbaum all believed that an older, injured QB gave the Jets “the best chance to win.”

There goes that phrase for Clemens again. First-year coach Rex Ryan echoed that statement when he named Sanchez the starter last month.

Tannenbaum’s inadvertent confession could be the most telling detail in a Kellen Clemens era that never was.

For Clemens, it has to sound like the equivalent to “it’s not you, it’s me” in an uncomfortable divorce.

Being dumped hurts, but being a healthy veteran who hopes to play, only to be told you don’t give your team the best chance to win, says everything and nothing at the same time.

Using a gentle let-down stings worse than the truth—mainly because there’s no honesty in the scapegoat. The truth is that it is “you.” It always is.

How could Clemens ever understand where things went wrong if the Jets would tell anyone willing to listen that he’s a capable quarterback?

The decision to play an injured Favre over his healthy backup bears a striking resemblance to the 2005 season when two quarterbacks were lost in one game. Former Jets’ QBs Chad Pennington and Jay Fiedler suffered season-ending shoulder injuries in Week 4 against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

After Fiedler’s injury, ex-coach Herm Edwards asked an injured Pennington to finish the game over a fresh third-string QB in Brooks Bollinger. Edwards’ hesitation to support Bollinger continued when he called 43-year-old Vinny Testaverde off his couch to start the very next week.

Would that make Kellen Clemens the new Brooks Bollinger?

No one should have expected the Jets to confess their lack of faith in Clemens, but fans have to wonder about the length of the string used to pull him along all these years.

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

Product of His Environment? Jets’ Thomas Jones Must Repeat Success for Sanchez

Much like Michael Turner did for Matt Ryan with the Atlanta Falcons in 2008, Thomas Jones will have to be the running back every defense has to respect.

But before that happens, the 31-year-old running back has to prove he’s actually capable of shouldering the responsibility on his own. Yes, he’s still at that stage of his career.

It may seem absurd to suggest such a notion with Jones coming off one of the best statistical seasons he’s ever had, but there are harsh realities that shouldn’t be overlooked or, at the very least, examined in-depth.

New York Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum may not realize it, but he sparked some legitimate questions and concerns when he pretended not to hear Jones’ offseason grumblings for a new contract.

Although the 10th-year running back led the AFC in rushing with more than 1,300 yards and set a single-season Jets record for TDs (15), Tannenbaum refused to listen, fully expecting Jones to honor the contract he signed. And Jones did exactly that, avoiding any ugly offseason standoffs with the Jets.

Yet the obvious reluctance to even entertain Jones’ unhappiness raises some eyebrows.

Realistically, Jones’ production was consistent with the expectations the Jets had of him when he was traded from the Chicago Bears in 2007. Jones’ resurrected his career in Chicago, maxing out at 1,335 rushing yards in 2005—a total Jones was shy of by 24 yards in 2008.

But can he do the same without a well-established gunslinger under center in 2009?

Detractors can say what they will of Brett Favre’s tenure with the New York Jets, but denying his impact on the running game would be irresponsible.

Upon Favre’s arrival, the indecisive quarterback brought immediate credibility to the Jets’ passing game—a luxury Jones was not afforded in his disappointing, 1,119-yard inaugural season with New York.

When Jones was given an opportunity to run against a less-congested line of scrimmage, he flourished.

It was when defenders stopped respecting Favre and the Jets’ receivers to command a double-team that the Jets suffered. As defenses uncovered the Jets’ weaknesses, they honed in on the running game and Jones struggled.

But the issues were never as generic and bland as football fans assumed early in the offseason. It’s not a simple storyline starring Favre as the aloof villain with Jones and the Jets cast as the unlikely victims.

There’s a significant subplot involving offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer and how deeply he was involved in the week-to-week strategies.

In six of the Jets’ seven losses, Jones carried the ball less than 20 times per game, with a meager 10 carries in three losses. By comparison, Jones was handed off to over 25 times against New England and Tennessee—wins which marked the Jets as midseason favorites for the Super Bowl.

The depth of Schottenheimer’s involvement will ultimately be determined in 2009.

Sadly, there is a worst-case scenario for the extreme pessimists to hang their hats upon. And it could be the most telling reason as to why Tannenbaum gave Jones the silent treatment.

Is Thomas Jones only as good as the talent Tannenbaum acquired during the 2008 offseason? How much of Jones’ success is hinged upon the financial commitment the Jets made to improving the talent surrounding him?

Favre, left guard Alan Faneca, and right tackle Damien Woody highlighted the Jets’ new, high-priced offensive faces in 2008—with Faneca and Favre representing the Jets as two of seven Pro Bowl selections.

When combined with the talent already in place—Leon Washington, Nick Mangold, and Pro Bowl alternate D’Brickashaw Ferguson—Jones was in an ideal position to succeed without having it do it alone.

While all of those players are returning in 2009—Favre being the single exception—one has to wonder if they’re better prepared to be in 2008’s midseason form or if they’ll continue to be haunted by the late-season disappointment that’s followed them all offseason.

With a rookie under center to start the season, opposing defenses will try and rattle Mark Sanchez until he can establish himself as a franchise quarterback.

Whether Jones is prepared for it or not, the Jets’ offensive success in 2009 hinges more upon his own ability than it does on any high-priced rookie.

Matt Schaub Speaks: An Interview with the Houston Texans’ Starting QB

The congestion of bodies is absolutely punishing. You look to your left and right, hoping to dash for a clear passage through to the other side, but it’s not promising.

After inching for what feels like forever, a crevice to maneuver through finally opens. If you pick up enough speed, you can hit the opening before the big guy coming from the other direction forces you off course.

Sweat drips into your eyes and your breathing is heavy. The crowd is shifting even closer, everyone astutely aware of the opportunity as the opening ahead becomes even narrower.

Drenched in your own sweat and overwhelmed by the stifling conditions, you collapse. Defeated.

Yet, this is not an attempt to create the atmosphere of a torturous football game. Not in the slightest. In New York City, that’s called riding the train in July and August.

But the perils of such conditions are very real. And such hazards are exactly what inspired Matt Schaub, the NFL, and Gatorade to launch the “Beat the Heat” campaign this summer.

Speaking with passion and unquestionable enthusiasm on the topic, Schaub detailed the importance of staying hydrated on the field.

And understandably so. Taking measures to prevent against heat exhaustion has been a chief concern in the NFL since the untimely passing of Minnesota Vikings’ lineman Korey Stringer in 2001.

Taking a moment to discuss his efforts with Gatorade, the sixth-year quarterback out of Virginia shares his preparations for the upcoming season, thoughts on Mike Vick, and handling the extremely competitive rivalries in the AFC South.

Angel Navedo: You’re with Gatorade and the “Beat the Heat” campaign they’ve recently launched. How deeply involved are you with everything?

Matt Schaub: Pretty involved. We’re trying to get the word out on everything about the “Beat the Heat” program and raise awareness on the subject.

AN: What was it that inspired you to join the campaign?

MS: Number one, being here in Houston and knowing how extremely hot it is almost every day of the summer. [Knowing] how much we have to go through to replenish fluids and be properly hydrated during August is a huge reason for getting involved.

Thinking back to my youth days, growing up in Pennsylvania, it doesn’t get nearly as hot there as it does down here.

But remembering those days in August—sweating and working hard in practice, not knowing how important hydration was, or replenishing the fluids that we lost during two-a-days—was a big reason for my wanting to get involved.

[I want] to raise awareness to parents and youth coaches about how important it is. You have a lot of coaches out there who have that old school mentality, thinking it makes you weak or something like that. But it’s important. Players can lose a lot of fluids, get ill, or even in some cases die from it.

AN: I remember when I played, it used to be about earning our water breaks.

MS: (laughs) Yeah, exactly. I remember those days, too. And those days need to be long gone.

[Professional athletes] are fortunate to have athletic trainers who harp on replenishing our lost electrolytes and fluids with Gatorade. It’s important to get those things back in to help us recover so we can go back out to practice.

Those electrolytes are what help us perform at a very high level for a long period of time. Water doesn’t do that, but Gatorade is important for us to replace those things in our body.

AN: Absolutely. So Matt, your last two seasons ended with consecutive 8-8 finishes. But last year there was a lot of momentum built up to carry out the season.  What’s being done to try and carry that into 2009?

MS: Well, like you said, that finish that we had to last season really catapulted us into the off-season. Guys were really excited to get back to work. There were a lot of guys who never even left.

They just wanted to get after the off-season program and come back to training camp ready to go and start the year fast, much like we were able to finish the year last year.

Guys were really enthused with their participation in the off-season program and were ready to go here in camp. We’re looking to get off to a fast start and continue to play well throughout the year.

AN: Understood. The Texans’ offense emerged quite a bit last season with Andre Johnson’s breakout season and Steve Slaton running wild. Is there someone on the team who makes you feel like he can build upon that even more? 

MS: Well, I think it’s the group as a whole. All the starters from last year’s team are the same people this year. To have the same group and the continuity that they have working together is gonna really show itself early in the season. 

With Owen Daniels playing tight end, who went to the Pro Bowl last year, and our entire offensive line back after playing all 16 games together last year, I think they’re going to be a big plus for us going into this year.

Kevin Walter on one side of the field—opposite Andre Johnson—is a big-time playmaker for us. Having Steven and Vonta Leach behind me in the backfield, our running game should be strong again, along with our play-action pass game and catching the ball out of the backfield.

We have a lot of weapons back there. It’s just about us as a team, and individuals taking the next step as players to get better. If we all get better individually, then as a group we’re going to get better.

AN: I understand you completely. Given Andre Johnson’s phenomenal season, do you feel like he’s receiving his due and proper as one of the game’s top receivers? Or is he still unappreciated?

MS: I think he’s starting to be recognized throughout the league as one of the best receivers in the game. He really flies under the radar because he’s a soft-spoken individual who just goes out and plays and performs. He comes to work every day to get better.

He’s not one of those, quote-unquote, typical receivers you see in the game today who’s gonna have the camera in his face all the time with the media. He goes to work and whatever it takes to win is what he wants to do.

If he goes down with 80-85 catches this season and we win three or four more games than we did the past couple years, then he’s all for it. As long as we’re winning, that’s what matters to him.

AN: That’s always refreshing. So the offense should be able to click early. But it can’t be easy lining up against Mario Williams and that improved defense every day in training camp?

MS: You’re right. We went out this off-season and really bolstered our defense in spots that we needed to. We’ve got a lot of talent on that side of the football, and it’s only going to help us throughout the season.

It helps us as an offense to go against guys like that. With Duane Brown at [left tackle], going against Mario everyday only helps him when he faces Kyle Vanden Bosch, Dwight Freeney, and guys of that nature.

AN: So let’s figure out this AFC South. It’s a ridiculously competitive division that leaves you guys with minimal room for error. Do you believe the Texans are about ready to push for a division title?

MS: I definitely think we are. As long as we go out and play good football and play our game, I think we’re in a good position.

We’re getting better every day and we’re going to climb to the level of those teams that were winning this division for years. We’re not gonna wait for them to come down to us.

We’re just gonna keep getting better and take it one game at a time.

AN: Last year’s 8-8 finish would’ve been good enough to get you in the playoffs in another division. Have you ever wondered where the Texans would be if the league were aligned differently?

MS: (laughs) Well, it’s tough to think about that. We’re obviously aware of that situation, but we’re in the division that we’re in and we just have to keep getting better. Those teams aren’t gonna change much.

AN: Unfortunately, you’ve been sidelined the last couple of seasons. What steps have you taken to remain healthy and get a full season done in 2009?

MS: Being able to finish out last season and being 100 percent this off-season while attacking the conditioning program has been big. The year before, I had to come off a surgery that didn’t let me get [to the field] till May.

It’s been good to get in there from the get-go and build myself up. I continue to prepare the same way I have in the past and be ready for the season.

AN: What are your gameday preparations like? Anything specific you do to psych yourself up before a game?

MS: There’s not much that I do to psych myself up. Just the opportunity to go out and play is enough. I get myself prepared and warmed up to just go out and play. Mentally, I just get myself ready to go.

Some of the other guys are the guys who can get psyched up listening to music and everything. I just kinda have my routine, go out, get loose, and just play. As a quarterback, you wanna be wired in and ready to go.

But having the opportunity to go and play is all the motivation I need.

AN: You started your career in Atlanta playing behind Michael Vick. What did you take away from your time with the Falcons?

MS: I had a great three years there. It was a great transition from college for myself. Being in a great city with a great organization and getting a lot of playing time in the process—in the pre-season and when I was called upon—I had a great experience.

And working behind a guy who’s one of the most visible athletes in the world really helped me be prepared when my time came here in Houston.

AN: Did you learn anything from watching his game that you’ve adopted to yours?

MS: I’d like to say I learned how to run really fast and be very quick (laughs). But that’s not my M.O.

I definitely learned a lot from Mike. Just watching him and seeing how he prepared himself to play, and handle all the things you need to handle as a QB in the NFL, I learned how I wanted to go about things when I got my opportunity.

AN: Do you believe he can find his way back into a starting role in this league?

MS: I definitely think so. He has a lot of ground to make up for missed time, but I feel like he’s getting an opportunity now, and it’s well-deserved. I’m excited that he’s back in the league, and excited that he’s in uniform with a chance to play.

I definitely think he can work his way back into a prominent role in the NFL.

AN: Great stuff. Thanks a lot for your time, Matt. I really appreciate it.

MS: All right, no problem.

AN: Good luck in your upcoming season, and stay hydrated.

MS: (laughs) All right, definitely. Thank you.

Kellen Clemens and the New York Jets’ Quarterback Job He Could Never Win

It’s difficult not to feel some sorrow for Kellen Clemens and his unfortunate tenure with the New York Jets.

The young man wasn’t exactly sabotaged, but his run in the NFL has been an arduous one thus far. With decks routinely stacked against him, one has to wonder where his thought process was on the day he was formally notified of his position as the backup quarterback…again.

After spending the last two seasons in what’s been billed as an open quarterback competition, it would appear from some angles as if the job he’s been working to earn was intentionally kept just outside his reach.

When Mark Sanchez was drafted, there wasn’t much doubt surrounding the intentions for the fifth-overall draft-pick. The Jets were to be his team, and he would eventually receive the starting nod. Head coach Rex Ryan agreed.

Sure, there were some intriguing scenarios and compelling arguments in Clemens’s favor, but none were going to alter the future of the organization.

The Jets made sure to never invest themselves too deeply in Kellen Clemens, and that’s why the future rests in the hands of No. 6, for better or for worse.

The idea here is not to suggest that the fourth-year quarterback deserves an extensive pity party. But a little bit of sympathy can be a positive thing, no?

The writing was on the wall for Clemens the night Mike Tannenbaum completed the trade for Brett Favre in August 2008. The circus was packed and ready to come to town, and with it came an indictment on Clemens and how the Jets felt regarding their desire to grow through him.

That sentiment ultimately received an emphatic echo when Sanchez was drafted in April.

But this does not signify a complete “Woe is Clemens” scenario. For whatever reason, he could never distinguish himself from his competition when given his opportunities.

That was true against a rookie this summer, and it’s been true throughout his career.

Former head coach Eric Mangini appeared willing to hand the keys over to Clemens after benching Chad Pennington in 2007, but Clemens had to help his former coach make that decision. He didn’t.

When the job was up for grabs in 2008, all reports out of training camp revolved around their pedestrian performances; nothing terrible, but nothing magnificent either. In fact, it took an undrafted free agent in Brett Ratliff to generate any kind of quarterback buzz in the pre-Favre era.

Since Favre’s retirement, Clemens may have been taken for an unceremonious ride filled with false hopes and vacant nods of approval, but there was still an idea that he could be the opening day starter in 2009. But he had to do it on his own.

There are expectations that come with being a starting quarterback. Clemens found a way to do a confident quarterback impression in his dealings with the media, but was never quite convincing enough.

He’d say the right things, but it was always tough to believe him.

Whether or not he received a fair shot at the job is inconsequential at this juncture. He was drafted as a second-round pick, which can be translated to high enough to produce but low enough to not hinge a future upon.

As far as the Jets are concerned, it appears as if all parties involved are content with the decision to go with Mark Sanchez to start the season.

While Sanchez may have very well earned the job outright, it speaks volumes of Clemens’s inability to relieve everyone of any doubts.

Speculation for the heck of it—sound off!

With Clemens being in the final year of his contract, there raises an interesting situation. Do the Jets let him walk, or try and find immediate value for him before it’s too late?

At the present, it’s unreasonable to expect many teams making offers Tannenbaum can’t refuse. But the preseason is young.

One of the most intriguing sidebar-worthy notes of the first two exhibition games has been the extensive look Ryan has had of Erik Ainge. All things considered, is it unreasonable to assume he’s being groomed as the immediate backup to Sanchez?

Is it too reckless to assume that the next two preseason games could be Kellen Clemens’s opportunity to audition for another team if Rex feels confident about Ainge?

There’s no five-year, $50 million deal with the Jets in Clemens’s immediate future. If all goes according to plan, Sanchez will be the face of the franchise for the next decade.

What would be the purpose of holding on to a quarterback whose contract is about to expire? Especially if said quarterback believes he has starter potential?

Whatever happens next for Clemens is unknown, but in the meantime could the Jets potentially seek value for him with a quarterback-starved team? The Seattle Seahawks, St. Louis Rams, and San Francisco 49ers immediately come to mind.

Obviously, experience is not a concern for Ryan, so keeping Clemens around under the guise of veteran tutelage, or as an insurance policy, defies logic.

The next two preseason games should determine where Clemens and Ainge fit into the Jets’ plans.

Nick Mangold Speaks: An Interview with the New York Jets’ Pro Bowl Center

There aren’t many opportunities in life for a 6’4”, 300-pound offensive lineman to go unnoticed; it simply doesn’t happen. Yet, on a stormy July afternoon in lower Manhattan’s lavish Tribeca Grand Hotel, Nick Mangold effortlessly blended into a crowd of video game lovers whose attention rested solely upon UbiSoft’s Holiday lineup.

Despite towering over everyone in attendance, the New York Jets’ Pro Bowl center proved to be no match for the multitude of demos and previews UbiSoft brought with them.

Mangold played a secondary role to Panasonic’s high-definition plasma displays, featuring Assassin’s Creed II, Splinter Cell: Conviction, Red Steel 2, RUSE, and much more.

On the surface, the former first-round pick looks like he’d be more comfortable with an axe and flannel shirt in the middle of a forest. But the long blond hair and grizzly beard can only camouflage his jovial charisma for so long.

Within minutes, he’s encouraging everyone in close proximity to have their mind-blown by the uniqueness of the hotel’s restroom before they leave for the day.

The afternoon was one of palpable anticipation. While UbiSoft’s upcoming Holiday titles received well-deserved interest, any sports’ fan could tell Mangold’s mind was with football, the Jets, and the beginning of training camp in Cortland, NY.

The man appeared absolutely focused. The video games serve only as a momentary distraction for No. 74 as he makes his necessary adjustments prior to an arduous month of practice and preparation.

Discussing everything from Madden ratings to his arrival in New York following the Kevin Mawae era, Mangold makes it abundantly clear that, no matter what, football comes first.

Angel Navedo: What are your feelings on traveling to Cortland for training camp?

Nick Mangold: I’m excited. I’ve never gone away for training camp. This is my first time—high school, college, and pros—I’ve never gone.

AN: What about when camp was held in Hofstra?

NM: Well, I lived five minutes from there. If we had two hours at night, I was able to run home and catch dinner or something. Being four hours away from home is a whole new beast that I haven’t really wrapped my whole head around.

AN: You were invited to this UbiSoft Holiday Preview event. Do you consider yourself to be technologically savvy?

NM: I like to. I don’t know where I measure up to everyone else, but I like to believe I’m gadget and tech friendly. I’m a Blackberry guy.

AN: That hurts my feelings.

NM: (Spots my iPhone) But I’m an iPod Touch guy! The iPod Touch is awesome. I think it’s a great device for games and messing around. But for dealing with emails and everything, I pick Blackberry—with the actual keyboard and everything—hands down.

I can bang out a page-long email while I’m sitting, doing whatever. Touch screens, you know, I got fatter fingers. It’s not my thing.

AN: It definitely took some getting used to for me.

NM: I even tried the Storm. I’m just not a touch screen guy at all. I love it for playing games and stuff, but I keep them separate. If that requires me to carry two different things, I live with it.

AN: Given the love for technology, would you say it’s a hobby or a passion?

NM: (Contemplates for a moment) I gotta say hobby. Football is my passion. Tech, it’s like, right above a hobby. I love dealing with surround systems at home, messing with speakers and stuff like that.

AN: Always wanna go a little bit louder, huh?

NM: Yeah, always wanna go a little bit louder. I always wanna add more speakers somewhere. In college, I wired it so we had speakers outside on our porch. When we first got there, my roommate was like, “There’s no way you could pull that off.” I was like, “No, I’ll figure it out.”

It’s just one of those things. I always like messing with stuff. It’s not a passion, but its right below there—in between passion and hobby.

AN: Being a gamer is pretty big for you. I know you attended the Halo 3 launch party, too. How deep does this run for you?

NM: [The first] Halo you didn’t have online, right?

AN: Yeah. That’s the one where you needed to hook it up through a LAN connection.

NM: Right. We did that in college. My friend had a two-bedroom apartment and both of the guys had good TV’s. So we’d bring the Xbox over to his house, hook them up, and we’d play in different rooms. We were playing it all the time.

AN: Would it be safe to say you’re more into the Xbox than Playstation?

NM: I’m a 360 guy, I am. I have a PS3, but I was sold on Xbox because of Halo. That made the decision for me. Grand Theft Auto was another huge one, so I always had a Playstation around. Now they have it for Xbox—which is awesome—but that always kept me playing a little bit of the Playstation.

AN: Since there’s no more need for a LAN connection, do you find yourself playing online at all?

NM: Yeah.

AN: Ever let anyone know who you are?

NM: Sometimes, but it depends. I was at a grade school and we were talking to a bunch of fifth graders. I gave them all my gamertag, which—in retrospect—was probably a bad idea, but we had fun with it that day. I kept it. I’ve had the same one for about five years now.

AN: Yeah, 800 credits to change it is rough.

NM: (Exhales) Yeah. I’m not changing it.

AN: Are you a Madden player at all?

NM: Yeah, I am a little bit. I play more games like Assassin’s Creed, Halo, Grand Theft Auto, and Call of Duty. Madden, for me, it’s not an escape. It’s what I do for a living.

AN: I hear you.

NM: Every once in a while I’ll play Madden or NCAA to become an offensive coordinator. I sit out there and just go five-wide all the time, change all the hot routes.

AN: But I thought linemen liked to run block? You wanna go out into pass protection?

NM: (laughs) Not my five offensive linemen. I don’t listen to them. Just like every other offensive coordinator, we’re just gonna throw the ball.

AN: What about the rating system? The whole thing this summer with T.J. Houshmandzadeh and DeAngelo Hall complaining about their Madden ratings is something you have to hear often in the locker room, right?

NM: Some guys are worried about it. You can hear it sometimes. There’s always some sort of arguing going on with whose Madden rating is higher than the others. I don’t care; I’ve never really looked at it.

AN: Oh, okay. If you did, I imagine you’d be glad to know you don’t have to worry about it. You’re the second highest rated center in the league, behind Kevin Mawae.

NM: Well, that’s awfully nice to know. There’s another “Thank you” note I gotta send out. But it’s something I’ve never really looked at or wondered about. I’ve heard too many people with the arguing, “Watch me! I should be a 76, not a 74!” I wonder, does it really matter?

But some people do care about it; there are some guys on the team who are passionate about what their Madden ratings are.

AN: Now, you were drafted as an immediate replacement to Kevin Mawae after he was released. How did you handle coming in knowing you’d be filling a role he defined?

NM: It was difficult coming in and having that kind of a player here before you. You have that hanging over your head. But I do appreciate Kevin. I’ve talked to him a couple of times when we play each other.

But he really set up the center position in New York. People really know about it because of Kevin and what he was able to do. I appreciate him alerting people to the position.

I’ve been fortunate to be able to follow in his footsteps, and hopefully give the fans something less to worry about having me in there.

AN: I don’t know how much you’ve spoken with Mark Sanchez since he’s been in New York, but there’s a belief that he faces a similar dilemma following Brett Favre. Is that realistic?

NM: I don’t know how it works with quarterbacks, but I imagine it could be something like that. But, you know, with Brett, it’s different.

Kevin had been here so long that he built up that fan base. Brett had a fan base because he’s Brett, me being one of them. I grew up watching him. But it’s not like he had the die-hard group following him after an eight-year career in New York.

AN: It’s definitely not Green Bay.

NM: Yeah, it’s a little different situation coming in.

AN: Say it’s an actual game day, what are you doing to psyche yourself up before the game?

NM: I pride myself on being a controlled-aggressive person. I’m not banging my head against the locker before a game. I’m more focused on who I’m going against and what I have to do. I’m slowly amping it up.

If you get all amped up at 8:00 in the morning for a 1:00 game, you’re spent by 10 and your day is ruined. I try to keep it mellow. I let the cold ball of nervousness that sits in your stomach grow so it explodes after the first play. Then you have all that energy throughout the game.

AN: Now, you said you think about the person you’re going up against. With training camp coming up, the next month will be spent lining up against Kris Jenkins for most drills. What’s it like going up against him, then facing the rest of the league?

NM: Going against Kris is horrible. I have to do it every day, sometimes two times a day, and it’s miserable. People that play against him—unless they’re in the division—only have to worry about him one Sunday.

I have to worry about him for a whole month, and then some during the season. It’s miserable.

AN: It sounds agonizing.

NM: He’s a great player. Going against him every day has helped me, especially last year. Being able to go to the Pro Bowl was due to his help, because going against Kris, you gotta be on top of your game every day. That was huge when going against everyone else in the league.

AN: So everybody seems a little bit easier after him?

NM: (laughs) Not everybody! But some people, yeah.

AN: Do you still see areas where you can improve when you watch yourself on game film?

NM: Oh yeah. There’s a ton of stuff. It’s amazing, you look at it and you’re like, “I don’t know how I got by doing that horrible of a job.” You look at it, and there’s times where you’re like, “Why would I do that?”

That’s a big focus of the spring and making sure I’m doing all the right things exactly at the right time. I think it’s great having Brandon [Moore] and Alan [Faneca] next to me. With their kind of combined experience around me—something like 20 years—it’s been great being able to bounce things off them.

AN: Brandon Moore was released momentarily at the start of the offseason. I know you have to deal with the business aspect of the game, but what was it like when you thought you’d be losing one of your guys on the line?

NM: It was tough. Brandon was here when I got here, you know? He’s been a great friend, and a great player next to me who’s helped me out a ton. That one-week period that he was gone was tough. I wondered, how am I gonna deal with him not being in the locker room?

But then we resigned him, and all was right with the world again. Having us five together for another year is going to be huge in making our game—pass and run—that much better.

AN: That chemistry is critical.

NM: Oh yeah. It’s huge.

AN: Given the wealth of experience around you, how much of an impact do you feel a coach has in cultivating a player’s talent?

NM: Well, it all depends on an individual player, first and foremost. But—especially in my situation—having Coach [Bill] Callahan come in, with the knowledge he had on offensive lines and offensive systems, was a huge help to my success. I try to give him credit every time that I can.

Having a good coach is huge. If you have a guy telling you exactly what you need to do and how to do it—and then you can be coachable and do it on the field—you have a great opportunity to do well.

AN: Do you feel like there’s somebody poised to have a breakout season this year?

NM: I haven’t really thought of that. Going through the spring, I’ve been more focused on the offensive line. We did well last year, so I would say the offensive line is poised to have a huge year. Being together for another season, we’re hopefully doing the right things.

AN: So, if everything works out, you feel like you guys can definitely open it up for the running backs again?

NM: When you have Leon [Washington] and [Thomas Jones] running, you don’t need to open it up that much. They get the job done. Having those guys back there and knowing that if you give them an extra inch, they’re gonna break it. Those guys back there are fantastic.

AN: It definitely sounds promising. Thanks for your time, Nick. I really appreciate it.

NM: Not a problem.

Not So Fast: Vernon Gholston Still Has To Earn the Starting Role in 2009

“We talked about Vernon (Gholston). How he’s going to have to step up, how we expect him to make great strides this year, and how he was going to be a big reason in our successes moving forward,” said Rex Ryan to the New Jersey Star-Ledger. 

“He’s just got a role with it now where he’s going to be a starter. We’ll see how he does.”

Interpretation is key. Ryan’s words can be deciphered as a simple motivational tactic, or be completely misconstrued as a declaration of something that has yet to be appropriately evaluated.

To put it bluntly, mid-July is too early to thrust a marginal player into a starting role without seeing how he performs when full contact is permitted in practice and in exhibition games.

All eyes have been on Gholston since Ryan’s arrival. After a disappointing rookie campaign, or whatever, the second-year linebacker has been the subject of resurgent expectations; especially given the nature of Ryan’s reputedly aggressive defense.

Rex Ryan may have chosen to confront everyone’s hesitation by implying Gholston’s starting role, but nothing was confirmed. The distorted analysis of his words has sparked a bounty of headlines prematurely certifying Gholston as a defensive starter.

It’s a false illustration of Ryan’s words, devoid of logic given what lies ahead for the New York Jets.

With training camp set to open in a little over a week, it’s beyond foolish to believe that the setting for a critical position battle to be decided would be on a podium.

Suffice it to say, fans should expect such gross estimations to happen often with a vocal, emotionally-driven head coach.

The rest of Rex Ryan’s words were errantly neglected to fuel the rampant, irresponsible speculation.

“The plan is that we’re going to play the best 11,” said Ryan. “This is a deep football team so we’re going to play all of our guys.

“Some guys will have maybe more of a role on first down, or maybe more of a role on third down,” continued Ryan. “We don’t have to play the same 11 guys. This is all about what’s best for our football team.”

Those comments offer no guarantees of Gholston’s role in 2009.

He may be the front-runner to supplant the suspended Calvin Pace during the first quarter of the season, but Ryan’s defensive vision clearly involves a fluid rotation of players who bring different skills to the gridiron.

By design, training camp is intended to be long and arduous. With a month of grueling practice sessions and game simulations, there is still plenty of time for Gholston to squander his opportunity.

Of course, the preference is that he thrives within Pace’s role and embodies the confidence Rex Ryan is trying to inject into the New York Jets.

Perhaps Ryan’s comments were motivation for a young man who struggled to find the field as a rookie. However, in this scenario, the only realistic motive centers upon Ryan’s obligation to finding out what kind of player Gholston will become.

The former sixth-overall pick can either embrace Ryan’s expectations this summer or validate every concern people have feared since April 2008. The path is Gholston’s to choose.

Regardless, with the season nearly two months away, who knows what can change between now and then? Well, maybe Bubba Franks has an idea.

Should Rex Ryan’s Double-Talking Concern New York Jets Fans?

“[Bubba Frank’s] coming around good…. We don’t expect Bubba to do anything really until training camp,” said Rex Ryan after the Jets re-signed Bubba Franks on May 11.

“Bubba’s a football player, we know it,” continued Ryan. “We signed him knowing that he’s going to be an outstanding blocker for us and he’s gonna have a role.”

Only two months have passed, and Franks has been thrust back into the free agent pool without any explanation.

It’s easy to speculate upon the reasons for their decision. His injury-shortened 2008 season was a concern when the Jets re-signed him to a one-year, veteran minimum contract.

If the release wasn’t motivated by injury, then perhaps the staff found comfort in the personnel they evaluated during mandatory minicamps over a month ago.

But somehow and somewhere, the Jets’ evaluation process failed. Either Franks was too injured to return or was no longer deemed to be good enough to make a significant contribution in 2009.

Regardless of the reason, Rex Ryan still has some explaining to do—not because there were any Pro Bowl expectations for Franks, but because Ryan built Franks up to the media as a sure contributor just over 60 days ago.

Most fans knew the Franks acquisition wasn’t much more than a depth signing. He was to be a role player at a position where the Jets were anemic.

His original stay in New York was likely extended in an effort to smooth the transition for Brett Favre. Anyone watching closely enough could see that Franks was far removed from his years as a Pro Bowl-caliber tight end.

Unfortunately, Ryan insisted on saying otherwise: “A big-time blocker, I think. Remember, Ben Coates we had [with Baltimore] in 2000. He was a big-time receiver at one time, but he was a big-time blocker at the end of his career. I think they learn all the tricks of the trade, and I think Bubba’s that guy. He’s a real professional to me.”

Why patronize the fans, Rex?

No one would expect Ryan to admit that the signing was insignificant, or that Franks likely wouldn’t make the opening day roster. But must he go the extra mile to feign excitement?

Upon being hired, Ryan was advertised as a straight shooter who’s going to call it as he sees it. So if he saw Franks as “a real professional” and “a big-time blocker” two months ago, then would it be too soon to raise questions about his ability to properly evaluate talent?

Ultimately, the reasons for Franks’ release are inconsequential. The decision merely serves as a catalyst for the questions that need to be asked about Ryan’s approach as the Jets’ new head coach.

Most fans have been enamored with him, existing in a perpetual state of bliss and euphoria since Ryan’s first press conference. He’s a quote machine, he’s confident, and his reputation should spell for an improved and more aggressive Jets’ defense.

It’s a far cry from the brand of football previous head coach Eric Mangini installed during his three-year tenure.

However, it appears as if Ryan is saying even less than Mangini by talking a whole lot more. It remains to be seen if that’s a bad thing.

His headline-grabbing comments distracted the media from football-relevant questions during mandatory minicamp.

He protected Mark Sanchez from the inevitable flurry of premature “Will he be ready?” speculation by engaging Channing Crowder of the Miami Dolphins much longer than was necessary.

Ryan has always maintained that the Jets’ successes will be credited to his staff and players, while the team’s failures will rest squarely on his shoulders.

Apparently, the truth rests somewhere in between.

Calvin Pace Suspended: New York Jets Open OLB Competition for Camp

The NFL has announced the suspension of New York Jets’ starting outside linebacker Calvin Pace, citing a violation of the league’s substance abuse policy regarding performance enhancing drugs.

The suspension comes after Pace tested positive for what he describes as “an over-the-counter dietary supplement.” The former first-round pick has been deemed ineligible for the first four games of the 2009 season.

The Jets acquired Pace in 2008 during their free agency blitz, signing him away from the Arizona Cardinals with a lucrative six-year, $42 million contract with nearly $22 million in guaranteed money.

Pace was easily the Jets’ best linebacker in 2008, recording 80 tackles and seven sacks. He also forced five fumbles, recovered four, and returned one 50 yards for a touchdown.

Clearly, his suspension leaves a significant void in the Jets’ defensive line-up to start the regular season.

In a summer already headlined by the looming quarterback competition between Mark Sanchez and Kellen Clemens, the suspension forces the Jets to acknowledge and evaluate their depth sooner than expected.

While all eyes will remain fixated upon the offensive signal callers, the opened door ushers in new opportunities along the depth chart for unrealized potential, and for unproven commodities to stake their claims.

The first name to leap to the forefront of everyone’s mind is Vernon Gholston, and whether or not he’s prepared to be thrust into a starting role. Gholston has been at the center of the Jets’ defensive concerns this offseason, as fans and coaches expect him to become a productive fixture in the rotation.

If he isn’t ready for the responsibility, the role could fall to one of the hybrid defensive end-outside linebackers on the roster.

Marques Murrell and rookie Jamaal Westermann, two undrafted free agents who impressed during spring activities, could emerge as favorites for the position if Gholston can’t validate his role as a sixth-overall pick.

Westermann signed with the Jets after an impressive career with Rutgers. Although he failed to generate interest in the draft, he immediately received praise from Rex Ryan for his hard work and football intelligence.

The collegiate defensive end is said to be picking up the defense extremely well. Ryan experimented with him during minicamps, utilizing him as an inside linebacker as well.

Murrell is in his third season with New York. Signed away from the Philadelphia Eagles’ practice squad in 2007, Murrell has impressed coaches with his speed, motor, and natural pass-rushing ability.

Needless to say, Pace’s suspension comes as an absolute shock. If there was going to be an outside linebacker whose job was evaluated this summer, most fans expected it to be Bryan Thomas.

Two consecutive seasons of mediocrity, after one average campaign in 2006, have made Thomas’ position an area where the Jets could afford to upgrade.

Nonetheless, whoever earns the position while Pace serves his suspension should be in the running to replace Thomas when No. 97 returns to action on Oct. 5.

Does Rex Ryan Plan to Hide Vernon Gholston in the New York Jets Defense?

“There (are) expectations for (Vernon Gholston) individually,” admitted New York Jets’ Head Coach Rex Ryan. “We’re wrong by doing that.”

“We just need to place our expectations on (the defense). If we do that, sometimes in the stats, he may not show up individually…but he might play a great game…let’s see how this group does. Let’s see how we perform collectively.”

There is no appropriate way to gloss over any of Ryan’s words without being dishonest.

Vernon Gholston may be given more opportunities than he deserves because of where he was drafted.

When Ryan arrived with Defensive Coordinator Mike Pettine, they knew they’d have their work cut out for them with Gholston. It was only five months ago when there was a commitment to getting the most out of him.

“From a physical standpoint, he’s got all the tools,” said Pettine in the New York Post back in January. “I’m looking forward to meeting Vernon and seeing what makes him tick…if the guy’s got it in him, we’re (going to) get it out of him.”

Rather than getting it out of him, Ryan’s comments appear more as if they’re hoping to hide it in their defensive scheme.

The sixth-overall pick of the 2008 NFL Draft is expected to contribute, and the Jets want to see a return on their guaranteed $21 million investment.

Principles be damned?

It’s understandable that his draft status and guaranteed salary would force the business side of the NFL to take precedence when evaluating him, but it’s unreasonable to disregard his shortcomings because of his teammates’ strengths. 

Football is, in fact, a team game—as the old, hackneyed expression will tell you. So for good measure, here’s one more: You’re only as strong as your weakest link.

What good will Gholston bring to a strong defense if he’s judged by the men around him?

With Gholston, Jets’ fans are being treated to a second round of “the glass is half-full” excuses for his lack of preparation and tenacity.

The confidence and excitement Ryan exuded in his introductory press conference sounds like it’s been replaced by constant optimism—to the point where it could be misconstrued as an attempt to patronize the fans.

It’s unreasonable to expect Ryan to go on a slanderous tirade about Gholston, but where’s the accountability?

The vocal head coach is a far cry from Eric Mangini’s relentless code of silence. But what’s the difference if fans are left to assume the whole truth? 

Mandatory minicamps came and went in Florham Park, and there was not a single report on Gholston that justified his positioning with the first defensive unit. It may have been early in the offseason program, but it’s never too early to show something.

The concern remains the same as it was since he was drafted: Does Gholston have the tenacity to contribute in a full-time capacity during a game? Or will he continue to disappear?

Yet, the most eyebrow-raising comment through all of this came from Gholston himself. “I don’t know why people think my rookie year was upsetting or whatever.”

Is that so?

Gholston’s rookie performances were so uninspiring that the Jets’ coaching staff couldn’t even find a place for him with the special teams units.

That was upsetting.

Watching Gholston dance with blockers continues to be upsetting.

But learning that the Jets’ defense might as well be one man short every time he’s on the field—now that’s just heart-breaking.

Ryan’s gift of gab has been on full display in recent weeks, but as far as Gholston is concerned, talk really is cheap.

New York Jets Minicamp Observations: They Could Be Nothing—or Everything

The New York Jets have wrapped up their mandatory minicamps, triggering the period for preliminary evaluations of the roster prior to training camp on July 31.

Three days of practice in June should be considered too premature for any declarations on anyone’s future, but there are areas that will require prompt attention before the regular season starts in Houston.

The defense appears to be making strides as advertised, while the offense is en route to validating every issue that’s been discussed throughout the offseason.

While the Jets are expected to be a run-heavy team, the concerns with the passing game cannot be ignored.

 

Wide Receivers

It was fun to entertain the notion of playing 2009 with the current wide receiver depth chart, but reality may have different plans.

It’s difficult to tell if the issue is that the defense is absolutely phenomenal, or if every receiver is struggling to make a play. Outside of Jerricho Cotchery, no other receiver managed to get open on a consistent basis.

Whatever the reason, Chansi Stuckey was not gaining separation at the line of scrimmage. After the snap, Stuckey would disappear as the play took shape.

Realistically, it could be because Rex Ryan’s defense is more physical. And then again, Stuckey’s ability to make a clean break off the line of scrimmage was a concern coming out of college.

Currently, Stuckey is lining up as the No. 2 receiver opposite Jerricho Cotchery. But it appeared as if Kellen Clemens wasn’t seeking him out as he progressed through his reads.

Typically, Clemens looked to Cotchery first. His next read was usually to tight end Dustin Keller, with a running back in the flats as the third option.

Playing with the second unit, rookie quarterback Mark Sanchez made one of the better throws when he hit special-teams ace Wallace Wright for a touchdown.

Rex Ryan had good things to say about Wright during the final minicamp press conference, saying, “We all know Wallace as a great special-teams player, but he’s made some strides as a receiver. That’s encouraging.”

Finally, the only potential dark horse in the unit is Huey Whittaker, formerly of the Arena Football League. At 6’5″, he could be the big target the Jets covet most.

There is still room for improvement as he needs to become more reliable if he hopes to make the team. But he proved his worth in red zone drills, making a tough grab when everyone knew a fade route to the corner of the end zone was coming.

 

Quarterbacks

“Right now, you can tell it’s really going to be a dogfight,” said Ryan about the competition between fourth-year veteran Clemens and the team’s first-round draft pick, Sanchez.

However, nothing has changed. This competition will be decided when Sanchez shows he looks good enough.

With this being Clemens’ fourth time going through minicamps and working in the offense, he still doesn’t look as far ahead of Sanchez as he should be. Since being drafted, Clemens has been through competitions for the starting job and hasn’t impressed.

He may be playing slightly better and with a little more efficiency, but Clemens is not looking like the experienced veteran that should have no trouble dispatching of a rookie.

Clemens is still indecisive in the pocket, patting his feet, and holding onto the ball longer than he should.

For Clemens to have a chance at the job, he has to be more than efficient. He has to be phenomenal enough to make the Jets question ever drafting Sanchez.  

Regardless, Sanchez is still experiencing his rookie woes.

He needs to make better reads in his drills against the defense. Perhaps he’s taking chances because it’s only minicamp. Or maybe he’s telegraphing his throws and making it easier for defensive backs to pick him off.

Whatever the reason, the Jets have to feel confident that he won’t be a liability before handing him the keys.

However, he does have a stronger arm than Clemens.

When the two quarterbacks ran their simultaneous throwing drills, the receivers Sanchez hit were already turning to run after the catch when Clemens’ throws arrived to his targets.

Sanchez isn’t afraid to run out of the pocket either. It’s difficult to tell how his running would work in a game situation. But he’s mobile enough to make a defense hesitate when he starts moving.

As for the third string quarterbacks, it’s going to be tight between Harvard’s Chris Pizzotti and Erik Ainge.

 

Specific Players and Their Performances

Vernon Gholston spent his time with the first unit as a defensive lineman. The move should allow him to return to his collegiate comfort level with his hand in the dirt, but he still needs work.

Gholston is very quick off the snap, but it’s his next move where he hesitates. He’s not stringing combinations together, tangling himself up with blockers as the play develops.

Playing with the second unit was Marques Murrell, who was much quicker off the snap and more confident in his reads at the line of scrimmage.

Kareem Brown, the defensive end turned tight end, looked very athletic in his new role. The decision to move him to offense was met with hesitation, but he seems to be adjusting well. Training camp will be critical for him.

Third-round draft pick Shonn Greene showed significant improvement as a receiver out of the backfield after being criticized during rookie minicamps.

He had a great burst after the catch and looks like he’s going to be a load to bring down when he does see the field.

With the wide receiver situation looking so bleak, many Jets fans have high hopes for Dustin Keller as the No. 2 receiving option, and rightfully so. He impressed as a rookie and should only improve in his second season.

But there is a reliability concern.

Keller had some significant drops in 2008 and disappeared in a few games. The disappearing act could be credited to a faulty game plan, or perhaps his inexperience as a rookie.

However, Keller must become a sure-handed target for the quarterback if the Jets are going to have any aerial success without a top-flight wide receiver.

Otherwise, it was only minicamp. It’s probably not worth reading too deeply into any of the observations.

After all, the Jets could look completely different by July 31.

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