Brett Favre Ends the New York Jets’ QB Debate
Hours ago I wrote my final article referencing the Kellen Clemens and Chad Pennington battle. It is now over. They have both lost.
Brett Favre will be arriving in New York shortly, and he will be the starting QB. Let’s hope Mangini doesn’t patronize us by saying this is still an open competition.
So, Angel, how do you feel about this?
If I’m being honest? A little bit silly. I declared my support for Kellen Clemens earlier this summer. I still stand by that because I believe in my assessment of Pennington’s playing style. I was certain that Chad Pennington was no longer the man that would lead this team to the next level, so I was already prepared for Jets’ life without him.
However, I also believed that Clemens deserved his opportunity to be this team’s quarterback.
There’s really nothing that I can add about Favre’s career that’s not already known to the fans. He has a cannon for an arm and isn’t afraid to throw into coverage. He’s won a Super Bowl, been a league MVP multiple times, and owns NFL records for touchdowns (and interceptions).
He’s not a young guy that needs to acclimate to the nuances of the game anymore. All he’s going to need in New York is time to familiarize himself with the terminology in the playbook, and enough repetitions to start developing a rapport with the first-team offense.
While some fans are itching to see exactly how Favre will alter the dynamics of the Jets’ offense, I remain slightly apprehensive. My concerns don’t involve Favre’s age, as the Jets’ recent history involves an older, less-talented Vinny Testaverde starting at QB.
My fears revolve around his dramatics this offseason. The well-documented, tearful retirement speech will be a moot point when Favre takes the field in a Jets’ uniform. But should we expect a similar scenario in 2009? I can respect the heart of an athlete that never wants to quit. I have trouble respecting the dramatics.
Operating under the assumption that Favre can quarterback the Jets for two or three more seasons, it is absolutely clear that Kellen Clemens no longer has a place in the Jets’ future plans. It’s impossible to envision any scenario where Clemens is the leader of this organization when Mike Tannenbaum is willing to part with as high as a first round pick for Favre’s services.
This means that the Jets will need to look into selecting another QB high in the draft to prepare for another (final?) Favre retirement.
Immediate repercussions will involve the departure of Chad Pennington. Trading for Favre obliterates any trade value Pennington would have had, as teams are expecting his immediate release. Fans and analysts alike figured it’d be unlikely for the Jets’ to keep Pennington and his contract when he was the presumed backup to Clemens.
Truthfully, I’m not overly excited, but I’m not angry either. A moment like this is rare for Jets’ fans. I’m not accustomed to seeing this team come up with anything but the short end of the stick. But it’s a testament to the Jets’ dedication to finally putting a quality product on the field.
“I am looking forward to seeing Brett Favre in a New York Jets uniform,” said Woody Johnson, owner of the New York Jets.
“He represents a significant addition to this franchise, and reflects our commitment to putting the best possible product on the field. Mike Tannenbaum and his football administration staff did a great job of navigating this complex process. I am excited about welcoming Brett, Deanna and their family to the Jets organization.”
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Not to suggest any consipracy theories here, but I think there’s another aspect to all of this that no one has addressed yet: that Eric Mangini and Mike Tannenbaum want to dismantle the entire Herman Edwards era. Obviously, Pennington was a big part of that era. So was Pete Kendall, and I believe that’s the reason why they traded him. I’m not saying it’s the wrong thing to do, but I honestly think that’s one of their goals.
What I am wondering what’s going to happen to Coles? As of right now, he’s the last piece of the Edwards era still remaining. I wouldn’t be surprised if he and Pennington will be packaged together in some trade deal.