New York Jets quarterback Kellen Clemens said the Jay Cutler rumors have been 'distra

BasX · Mar 28, 2009

Jets quarterback Kellen Clemens admitted that the Jay Cutler-to-the-Jets rumors have been a distraction and his initial reaction wasn't to text message Cutler and invite him out for a night on the town.

For the second straight season, Clemens is in competition for the Jets' starting quarterback job. And for the second year in a row, there has been talk that the Jets' eventual No. 1 signal-caller is not yet on their roster.

Last summer, it was Brett Favre. This offseason, it has been Cutler.

"It's an interesting thing trying to be a major contributor to a football team, and then there's always the rumors that are floating around and at times it can be distracting," Clemens said Thursday during the team's first media availability this offseason. "If it happens, it happens. My job right now is to go out this first minicamp, especially, and just prove we don't need to go outside of what is already in the locker room."

Less than two weeks after the end of last season, Clemens and third-year man Brett Ratliff began working out at the team's Florham Park complex in anticipation that Favre would retire and one of them would move into the starting job.

"I've tried to work hard so that they (the coaches) feel comfortable with what they have," said Ratliff. "I believe in myself and I believe in the guys we have."

So does new Jets coach Rex Ryan, who repeatedly has said he's prepared for Clemens, Ratliff or even Erik Ainge to be his quarterback.

"I feel good about our quarterback situation," Ryan said this week at the NFL owners meetings in California. "Everyone seems to think we have major issues there. I don't think the situation is what people think it is. I think we're going to be just fine."

Cutler and Denver's rookie coach Josh McDaniels have feuded since the Broncos inquired about Patriots QB Matt Cassel, who played for McDaniels in New England last season. But lately, it appears more unlikely that Cutler will be anywhere but Denver.

Clemens, a fourth-year pro, impressed Ryan in a 2007 game against his Ravens defense in which Clemens engineered a fourth-quarter rally that fell short when wide receiver Justin McCareins dropped a potential touchdown in the end zone in the closing minutes.

The 6-4, 224-pound Ratliff completed 32 of 47 passes for 499 yards, four touchdowns and an interception last preseason. He had a 122.6 passer rating.

Clemens and Ratliff said they've spoken with Ryan and he has told them it'll be an open competition, and he believes in them both.

"That's huge," said Clemens. "When a new coach that you didn't play for and who didn't draft you can come out publicly and say that, it does a lot for a quarterback's confidence."

Clemens and Ratliff each said they learned a lot watching how Chad Pennington dealt with the Favre rumors last season.

The rest of the Jets didn't sound enthused about the possibility of Cutler joining their ranks, and safety Kerry Rhodes said he simply doesn't like the cocksure Cutler.

"Me and Jay just don't get along too well right now," Rhodes said. "You can be confident, but when you're too confident for your own good ..."

It's unclear where the rift between the two started, but it intensified when Cutler began barking at several Jets players during a Broncos rout in the Meadowlands.

"It actually wasn't (something he said) to me," Rhodes said. "It was to some other players but I took the onus on that (to say something back)."

Veteran right tackle Damien Woody said that while Cutler is a great player, Clemens and Ratliff have paid their dues.

"I like my guys here," Woody said. "They deserve an opportunity to see what they can do. Everybody thinks Jay Cutler is a great talent. He went to the Pro Bowl last year and everything. That's all great. But I just feel like these guys deserve a shot."

Notes: The Jets are exploring several options on where to hold their training camp this summer, including the upstate New York area. In the past, they've held it at their former Hofstra University training complex, but now they're undecided on whether to hold it at their state-of-the-art $75-million Florham Park facility...

Jerricho Cotchery has led the Jets in receptions the past two seasons, combining for 153 catches for 1,888 yards and seven touchdowns. But the departure of Laveranues Coles has fueled talk the Jets don't have a No. 1 receiver.

"I don't take anything personal," Cotchery said. "For the past couple of years, if you look at the numbers I've been pretty much ..."

Cotchery, who is humble and understated, didn't finish the sentence and refused to label himself as the No. 1 receiver. ...

RB Leon Washington indicated talks on a new contract are in the early stages. He's in the final year of his deal.
Click to expand...

http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2009/03/new_york_jets_qbs_kellen_cleme.html

huevonkiller · Mar 28, 2009

Re: New York Jets quarterback Kellen Clemens said the Jay Cutler rumors have been 'di

Clemens hasn't established himself as anything yet, concentrate on learning how to become an average QB first.

Log in or Sign up

New York Jets quarterback Kellen Clemens said the Jay Cutler rumors have been 'distra

BasX I Win

huevonkiller Change (Deftones)

Share This Page

Log in or Sign up

New York Jets quarterback Kellen Clemens said the Jay Cutler rumors have been 'distra

BasX I Win

huevonkiller Change (Deftones)

Share This Page

Useful Searches