It's a Coin Toss

After their first three OTA's, the Jets still have no idea who their starting quarterback will be going into the 2008 season. Chad Pennington has been working with the first team and Kellen Clemens has been working with the second team only because of a coin flip. Offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer flipped a coin in order to decide who would start off the season working with the first team. Pennington called heads and won the flip. 

Hopefully, the Jets won't have to use the same method in order to decide their starter going into the regular season - or even the preseason for that matter. Pennington's numbers last year were infinitely better (1,765-10-9 with a 68.8% completion percentage in eight starts) than Clemens' (1,529-5-10 with a 52.0% completion percentage). However, if the Jets want any shot of contending, they need to make Clemens their starter. 

Although his basement is much lower than Pennington's, his ceiling is much higher. The Jets know what they will get from Pennington - about a 1:1 TD:INT ratio, a good completion percentage and a lot of dump-offs to the backs. However, he can't throw to the sidelines anymore with his lack of arm strength. He has a lot of trouble on the flag routes as his passes tend to float up there for cornerbacks and safeties to knock down or pick off. He can't throw deep routes consistently - or at all. When he throws across the middle, he leaves his wide receivers out to dry, as he hangs up his passes and makes it very easy for Laveranues Coles or Jerricho Cotchery to take a hard hit from a linebacker. The Jets won't be able to win more than six to eight games with Pennington at the helm.

Although Clemens did not play as he was marketed last year, he proved that he has a very strong arm. He can throw the ball through the goal posts from the 50 yard line on his knees. He makes a lot of bad decisions, but that will change with good coaching and experience. He is more mobile than Chad. He can move in the pocket quite well and can actually gain some yards on the ground if the defense lays off. 

It is possible that Clemens could come out and have a terrible season like he did last year. But if the Jets want to be contenders, then they have to take that risk. His big arm and mobility could allow them to have a competitive season. 

- D. Spell