Report: New York Jets Shopping Quarterback Kellen Clemens

by Josh Kirkendall on Aug 20, 2010 10:36 AM EDT

How desperate are you to get rid of J.T. O'Sullivan and Jordan Palmer?

According to ESPN, the New York Jets showcased quarterback Kellen Clemens on Monday Night Football because they are looking to trade the fifth year player. So the question is, would you trade a seventh round pick for Clemens, release O'Sullivan and Palmer and go with two quarterbacks?

Might not be as good of an idea as you think. Comparing their career numbers and you see that O'Sullivan nearly beats out Clemens on every statistical category.

	Games	Comp	Att	PCT	Yards	Avg.	TD	INT
Kellen Clemens	24	146	282	51.8%	1,680	6.0	5	11
J.T. O'Sullivan	17	145	257	56.4%	1,886	7.3	9	13

Granted, stats aren't everything. But do you really get the feeling that if Carson Palmer goes down to a season-long injury that the Bengals will perform that much better as a team with Clemens than with O'Sullivan. In gambling, they call it a push. In football, I'm calling it a push.

But hey, what's the hurt in asking about Clemens and what do you lose with a seventh round draft pick, which could be easily used for another middle-of-the-road, always battling for a backup gig in the NFL, type of quarterback?

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Frankly

I don’t think there are a lot of worthwhile backups on the market, but the one I am most intrigued with would be Sage Rosenfels in Minny.

For his career 10 year career: 62% completions, 7.4 YPA, 30 TD, 29 INTs and a 81.2 rating in 32 games. Nothing to write home about but I think it is an upgrade assuming the offenses he has been in have similar language and terminology with Cincy’s.

by Cedric Benson Boat Party on Aug 20, 2010 10:42 AM EDT reply actions

we could always get kitna back if dallas doesn’t want him.

hmm, a part of me died saying that.

i'm going to go america all over your ass!

by Raging Clue on Aug 20, 2010 10:48 AM EDT up reply actions

The sager

I live in Miami and ever since Marino retired we’ve seen all sorts of quarterbacks play for the dolphins. Sage Rosenfels was the backup for a number of those years and on more than one occasion we were hoping to see him get a chance. I think it’d be pretty solid to have him as a backup, but I wouldn’t be willing to give up a whole lot to get him.

by whodeyve on Aug 20, 2010 10:56 AM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, outside of the attempted helicopter Elway like dive versus Indy a few years back where his fumble subsequently lead to Indy scoring the game winning TD a few years back, I always seem to remember watching him and thinking he isn’t bad. I mean he isn’t great, but he seems like a serviceable backup who will be in the three hole for the Vikings.

by Cedric Benson Boat Party on Aug 20, 2010 11:12 AM EDT up reply actions

I can’t remember where I read it, but it seems JT and Zampese knew each other and that was a key to signing him. One would think if they weren’t happy with JT they would have pursued another option over the offseason. Bollar and Losman were two that were available for quite awhile and signed for less than JT is making. I couldn’t sign the downside of signing one on the cheap and bringing them into camp. But the brass didn’t feel that way. Some are suggesting Garcia but his freestyle doesn’t fit in the system. AO wasn’t thrilled about playing with him. As important as draft choices are to Mike I don’t think he’d spend a 7th for Clemmens. He might be open to a trade for a fringe player that is in line to get cut.

by redberkey on Aug 20, 2010 11:23 AM EDT reply actions

They're both douches

by jimbasa on Aug 20, 2010 2:17 PM EDT up reply actions

Reguardless of who is backup QB...

We need to trim it down to 1 back up QB after Palmer…I mean come on, if Palmer goes down we’re screwed, doesn’t matter if it is lil palmer, jt, someone else…unless they score a peyton manning, which is probably unlikely, then the Bengals will be having a bad year if Palmer goes down. Hell, Matt Jones or someone could probably do just as good as a #3 QB as anyone else. I just don’t see the need for 2 back up QBs…There are many areas where we actually have talent I’d rather see make the team than 2 back up QBs that are barely above worthless.

by minddrifter on Aug 20, 2010 11:59 AM EDT reply actions

Tyler Thigpen

I’d rather wait to see if Miami releases this guy, he’s a great young qb and did a solid job with the chiefs given the situation. I’d say he’s a better backup than Clemons. The only reason the dolphins won’t keep him is due to Pennington and Pat White.

by ak513 on Aug 20, 2010 12:41 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

Generally . . .

having Chad Pennington on your roster is a good reason to load up on as many QBs as possible.

by FordhamRam on Aug 20, 2010 1:36 PM EDT up reply actions

Pennington = Cherubini

“They need you back, Cherubini’s down”
James Woods: “Cherubini? What’d he do fall off the bench?”

by Jcon77 on Aug 20, 2010 2:05 PM EDT up reply actions

Considering how much the draft is a complete crap-shoot anyway, if we had to give up a pick for a decent backup I’d do it. But I don’t know if Clemens is really the answer. I’d almost rather trade a draft pick for a decent QB coach. Or a decent OC.

by FriarBob on Aug 20, 2010 3:40 PM EDT reply actions