If you thought the QB decision in training camp is tough, how about this very realistic scenario. Clemens barely beats out Penny in training camp. It is so close that literally a coin flip and the fact that Clemens is younger puts him over the top. However, many many fans and journalists felt Chad outplayed Clemens. Week 3 Clemens gets roughed up by NE again and is out 3 -4 weeks. Penny comes in and lights it up posting staggering numbers, command in the huddle and 4 straight wins against quality opponents. What then? Keep Penny in or go back to the youth movement. Just another fun question to ponder while we wait out the next week or so until camp starts. Of course you know what I would do......in penny we trust with this revamped team all the way to the division title biotches!!!
This scenario is not very realistic at all. 1) We play NE week 2 (not 3) and the following 4 opponents are SD, ARI, CIN, OAK. So that would only be one quality opponent. 2) Since 2002 Pennington has not put up anything remotely close to staggering numbers. But if that did play out as you imagined it, obviously you would stick with Pennington in that situation.
i say bring in vinny. this line gives him enough time to unleash rockets. (he was always known as a strong thrower)
Predicting our OL is going to get Clemens hurt against NE and "The Egg Back There" is going to light it up against SD with the same OL is almost comical. The reason Pennington is no longer a capable starter and Clemens is even mentioned as the QB is Pennington can no longer throw the football due to injury and there were reports during mini camp that he still has a slight limp from a September injury a year ago.
obviously you learned nothing from the parcells era, when we had no experienced back up on the roster.
I always felt Vinnie got a pretty raw deal going to Tampa Bay. He had to play for years with a putrid offense behind an even more dismal O-line. It was there that he developed bad habits, trying to force the ball and trying to do too much himself. The nickname "Vinnie Intercepteverde" first surfaced there and the reputation was on. Even when he played here behind a somewhat decent O-line, he'd find a way to revert back to that old form... the one mistake in an otherwise decent game that would turn the ball over at precisely the worst time. I swear, there were times in the stands when I thought Vinnie was on the take. He'd release the ball and throw a perfect laser spiral right to a DB... I mean, right on the numbers... and with no Jets receiver within 12' of the ball.
At times I would question his decison making but I would prefer a Qb who would go out on his shield trying to win the game as opposed to playing not to lose a field position game. Not to say that either strategy is right or wrong I would just prefer for the Qb to go for it. As Vinny got older I really started to appreciate him and I think it is a shame he had to waste away the early part of his carer on bad teams.
As he got older he got better, too. He's my favorite Jet QB of all time. I saw the tail end of Joe Namath's career so I'm not sure if I can count him. He was old and couldn't move by then, plus the line and the team was horrible. Still, Joe is the reason I'm a Jet fan, Vinny is the best Jet QB I've ever seen.
Hopefully we will see another one before it's all over. That 98 season was the greatest of my lifetime. Unfortunately I do not remember Namath until he went to the Rams.
If I could magically turn back the hands of time for Vinnie, I'd start a 30 year-old Vinnie in a heartbeat behind our current O-line and running game potential. Hopefully Clemens has some of the arm and leadership qualities (and durability). Vinnie was durable as hell except for that achilles thing that happened.
There are others available or who could have been obtained who would serve the backup role far better than Chad. Name just about anybody.
Or just have one or two of those clowns not fumble the ball in Denver. Back at that time I read an article comparing the college and pro careers of Namath and Vinny, including their stats, impact on their teams, etc. The only thing that set Namath above was the three hours in Miami on that one day. It's a shame Vinny didn't get that chance with that team, through no fault of his own.
