KELLEN’S JELLIN’
Eric Mangini and the Jets needed to see something from Kellen Clemens last night in their preseason opener.
They saw something.
They saw plenty in a 31-16 preseason victory over the Falcons.
They saw a second-year quarterback who didn’t look like a rookie anymore.
Chad Pennington praised Clemens’ work ethic and Mangini hailed his presence and toughness and concluded, “I thought that you’re seeing some of that growth tonight.”
Clemens showed good command in the no-huddle offense on a 10-play, 80-yard scoring drive just before halftime. He got lucky when his underthrown wet-ball lollipop for Justin McCareins turned into a 42-yard gain that helped set up a 2-yard TD pass to diving Sean Ryan with 47 seconds left before intermission.
Clemens, who fumbled a center exchange and quickly scooped it up and ran for 1 yard, was 5-for-6 for 68 yards as the Jets took a 14-10 lead. On the opening drive of the second half, Clemens found rookie wideout Chansi Stuckey, who outfought cornerback Tony Franklin in the left corner of the end zone for a 13-yard TD pass that gave the Jets a 21-13 lead.
Clemens was just getting warmed up: 6-for-6 for 45 yards on his next possession that culminated in a 10-yard TD pass to wide-open Ryan in the right corner of the end zone just before the quarterback was blasted by safety Tony Taylor.
“I’ve always been a quarterback who’s taken some hits,” Clemens said, then cracked, “I’m not athletic enough to get out of there so I better stand in there till the last minute and hope something pops open.”
Later there was an 18-yard completion to Frisman Jackson before being plastered. Very Pennington-esque, indeed.
“Definitely this is the best feeling that I’ve had personally since I’ve been here,” Clemens said.
Clemens completed nine straight passes at one point on his way to a 16-for-22, 174-yard, 3-TD night that gives Jets fans their first legitimate hope that all is not necessarily lost should something happen to Pennington.
Clemens was asked what he liked best about his night.
“I think the big thing was there were no turnovers,” Clemens said.
Now for the rest of the good, the bad, and the ugly:
THE GOOD: Pennington played two series, didn’t throw a pass, and wisely didn’t try to throw a block on a 9-yard reverse by Brad Smith. . . . RB Thomas Jones ran hard and tough; eight carries for 27 yards and a 1-yard TD. . . . RB Leon Washington darted left and returned a punt 86 yards before being caught from behind at the Falcons’ 8 by David Irons. Washington showed why he will be a nice complement to Jones with sweet-feet jitterbugging. . . . CB Drew Coleman, who was around the ball all night, intercepted a D.J. Shockley pass that was deflected by DE Michael Haynes.
THE BAD: Safety Kerry Rhodes was victimized twice by Falcons QB Joey Harrington on plays of 25 yards and 37 yards before RB Jerious Norwood ran in untouched for a 10-yard TD that gave the Falcons a 7-0 lead. . . . Smith entered as quarterback for one series in the second quarter and used only his legs rather than his arm. He was sacked on third-and-2 before taking a direct snap and throwing incomplete to Stacy Tutt on a fake punt. . . . Brad Kassell was flagged for holding on a PAT. . . . Rutgers free-agent CB Manny Collins was victimized on a 19-yard Chris Redman completion to WR Roddy White that enabled K Billy Cundiff to boot a 41-yard field goal with 1 second left in the half.
THE UGLY: Adrien Clarke started the game at left guard and alternated series with Pete Kendall, who would like a new address. As early as the second quarter, Kendall was playing with the second-team offensive line. On the first drive of the third quarter, Kendall threw a block that sprung Washington around left end for 25 yards. “Still lucky after all these years, I guess,” Kendall said sarcastically. He was asked whether his pride was wounded playing with the reserves after intermission. He spat out the words: “It’s the first time in 12 years I’ve played that deep into the first exhibition game.” . . . No. 1 draft pick CB Darrelle Revis is still a holdout.
