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QB Kellen Clemens, New York Jets

HT: 6-2, WT: 218, Born: 6-6-1983, College: Oregon, Drafted: Round 2

2008 Projections

Best Case

Kellen Clemens is about to learn what Aaron Rodgers feels like. After thinking he had a legitimate shot at starting for the Jets for most of this preseason, Clemens is now firmly entrenched as Brett Favre's backup and won't see the field unless the 39-year old Iron Man breaks his consecutive games streak. In the unlikely event Favre does get hurt, Clemens would take over a team with reasonably good talent at all the skill positions and what should be a much improved offensive line. If he got playing time, Clemens could be a decent spot starter but only after he proved himself for a few weeks.

Worst Case

Clemens is experiencing his worst case. He went from competing for a job against a 32-year old with a bum shoulder to watching and learning behind a 39-year old living legend. A legend, by the way, who never misses a snap.

Outlook

If Brett Favre stays healthy as he seems to each and every year, Clemens offers little to no fantasy value in 2008. He's too risky and unproven to bet on even if injury were to open the door for him.

Relevant Articles

2008 Schedule

2007 Game Summaries

Week 1 - Clemens saw his first action of the season late in the third quarter, in relief of Chad Pennington. He was five of ten for 35 yards.

Week 2 - Clemens' first NFL start was as shaky as expected but ultimately full of promise. He started with an apparent case of nerves, which was totally understandable given the situation and the caliber of the defense he was facing. After shaking off his nerves (and an early interception), Clemens slowly found his groove until he found himself leading his team on a potential game tying drive at the end of the fourth quarter. Had he not been twice failed by the hands of Justin McCareins, the Jets would have tied the game and had a great chance to win, considering momentum and the way each team was performing at the end of the game. Clemens did everything he could to will his team to victory, but it just wasn't quite enough.

His favorite targets were his starting wide receivers, Coles and Cotchery. Clemens found Chris Baker for a four yard touchdown strike in the fourth quarter to bring the Jets within seven of Baltimore. He struggled with his accuracy, barely completely 50% of his passes while frequently putting his targets in positions where they had to stretch to make catches, placing them in danger of missing the ball and/or taking a big hit for even attempting to snag the ball. Clemens' second interception wasn't truly his fault, although the ball could've been placed lower where it would have been easier for McCareins to haul in. He averaged 7.0 yards per attempt.

Week 8 - Clemens came in late in the fourth quarter with the Jets trailing by ten points and ended his day and the game completing five of 12 passes for 67 yards and two interceptions. To be fair to Clemens, his second interception occurred as time expired, on a hail Mary pass from the 50 yard line.

Week 9 - Clemens had a good game as the Jets new starting quarterback. He was especially strong in the first half. Clemens made good decisions, showed good instincts and a solid grasp of the offense, and displayed better scrambling ability and arm strength than the man he replaced, Chad Pennington. His favorite targets were Jericho Cotchery and Brad Smith, who saw an increase in production with starter Laveranues Coles out. He led the Jets offense on a first half touchdown scoring drive that he capped with a one yard touchdown to Joe Kowalewski.

Week 11 - Clemens was comfortable under center and certainly acted like the future of the New York Jets. While his numbers were not exactly eye popping, 14 of 31 for 162 yards and one TD, he showed plenty of leadership. When Clemens found a target he was not afraid to let loose with that big arm of his, and late in the fourth quarter he managed to engineer a 76 yard drive in two minutes to tie the game and send it into overtime. The key play was his 15 yard scramble. He eluded the blitz, picked up a key first down, and demonstrated a facet of quarterbacking which Pennington lacks.

Week 12 - Clemens was unable to get into a rhythm in large part due to a fierce Dallas pass rush and an ineffective running game. He had to hurry a lot of his throws, and forced others, including one that was returned by a Cowboys defender for a touchdown. He missed open receivers at other times and could not make any plays to keep his offense on the field for extended periods. There were a few brief moments when he had time to throw and showcased good touch on passes, but those moments were very infrequent.

Week 13 - Kellen Clemens started the day completing four of his first five attempts en route to seven points on the Jets opening drive of the ball game. After some first half struggles Clemens put together a 15 for 24 afternoon totaling 236 yards and a touchdown. His lone TD pass of the day came on a swing pass to Brad Smith, which allowed him to show his speed en route to a 19 yard touchdown catch and run.

Week 14 - Clemens completed 59% of his passes for an average gain of seven yards per attempt to finish with a passer rating of 59.6. His gritty performance, including a one yard touchdown run was not enough to bring the Jets back at home against the Browns.

Week 15 - Kellen Clemens started the game and was injured on New York's second offensive play from scrimmage. A hit by Richard Seymour, which resulted in an interception returned for a touchdown, ended Clemens day and gave way to Chad Pennington.

Week 17 - Clemens had a mediocre day in his return, completing 13 of 25 passes for 115 yards and a touchdown. In the first half, Clemens found Thomas Jones on an inside screen, allowing him to do the rest, scampering 15 yards for the games first touchdown.