New York Jets 2009 Starting QB, Kellen Clemens

The New York Jets have yet to name their starting quarterback for the 2009 season. New head coach Rex Ryan is taking his time and letting Kellen Clemens and Mark Sanchez compete for the job. For a time, it appeared Kellen Clemens, drafted in 2006, would be the Jets signal caller of the future, but then came Favre and now, Mark Sanchez. The Jets moved up to select Sanchez in this years draft and clearly envision him being their quarterback of the future, which leaves Kellen Clemens in a difficult position.

In 2007, when Chad Pennington was benched, Clemens got his chance and became the Jets starter, but unfortunately he struggled. When Pennington left after the 2007 season, Clemens must have thought his time had come to lead the Jets, but then came Brett Favre. After Favre's second retirement, Clemens had a chance again to earn the job as Jets starter, by competing with Brett Ratliff, but then came the 2009 draft and Mark Sanchez.

Whatever quarterback starts, they won't be asked to pass the Jets to success. Rex Ryan will try and emulate the Baltimore Ravens model, a great defense, good running game, with less dependency on passing. The Jets drafted running back Shonn Green who'll join Thomas Jones, and Leon Washington to give the Jets a formidable running game. The Jets also have a good pass catching tight end, Dustin Keller. What the Jets don't have, is productive experience at the wide receiver position.

With Laveranues Coles now catching passes from Carson Palmer in Cincinnati, the Jets are left with, David Clowney, Jerricho Cotchery, Brad Smith, Wallace Wright, Chansi Stuckey, and second year guys Marcus Henry and Paul Raymond. Last year no Jets receiver had over 1,000 yards receiving and I doubt this year will be any different. The Jets could use another experienced, dependable receiver. Providing he can prove he's still healthy enough to play in the NFL, Marvin Harrison would be a great pick up for the Jets. Harrison, a quality veteran, would provide an excellent role model for the young receivers and give the young Jets QB whomever it is, an experienced target. The Jets play in the tough AFC East and their offense will have to play well enough, to not loose games for them.

Kellen Clemens is fighting for his chance to prove he's ready to be an NFL starter, but once again someone else has been brought in to take his job. To his credit, Clemens has not ranted to the media about his frustrations, he continues to just work. So, Kellen I hope you get a chance to finally become the Jets starting QB, even if it's only for a season.