<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'><span style="font-size:18pt;line-height:100%">Farm Boy Looks to Life in Big City With Jets</span><span style="font-size:8pt;line-height:100%">By KAREN CROUSEPublished: May 12, 2006</span>Where Kellen Clemens comes from, his family's 3,400-acre farm is considered small. Where he was headed Wednesday night, a 1,000-square-foot apartment, is considered spacious. Clemens, a quarterback who was drafted in the second round by the Jets, laughed. "I'm in for it, aren't I?" he said in a telephone interview. A few hours later Clemens, 22, boarded a flight in Oregon for his first trip to New York, to attend a three-day Jets rookie minicamp beginning today. In his predraft life, he might have hopped onto a horse to escape worries such as regaining his form after breaking his leg last fall, or proving himself capable of being an everyday N.F.L. player. But perhaps his biggest concern involves making the transition from a countrified lifestyle to a gentrified one."It's going to be kind of intimidating to a certain extent," he said.The oldest of Vicki and John Clemens's five children and their only son, he was born and raised in Burns, a farming community of 3,064 in eastern Oregon. The worst commute he had growing up was the five-mile bus ride to and from school. Even after Clemens left home to attend the University of Oregon in Eugene, he did not venture far from his roots.He made the five-and-a-half-hour drive home to help tend to the family's 100 head of cattle whenever his schedule permitted. After Clemens became the Ducks' starting quarterback and the demands on his time made it tougher to get back to Burns, he found a substitute retreat in Pleasant Hill, a rural town outside Eugene. Clemens was befriended by a family there who gave him free rein to ride its horses."It was really kind of a saving experience in a lot of ways," Clemens said. He added, "There's something pretty calming and soothing about being able to get on a horse and take a ride."Growing up around horses, Clemens learned early the importance of getting back in the saddle after taking a spill. The lesson became his road map for recovery when, during the second half of a game at Arizona in late October, a broken left fibula ended his season.The 6-foot-2, 223-pound Clemens, who was in the midst of a marvelous season, with 19 touchdowns, 4 interceptions and a 64 percent completion percentage in eight games, underwent surgery and was walking on crutches in December. Two months later, he participated in the N.F.L. combine, but he could not push off his left leg well and struggled with his throws.His future in the N.F.L., which seemed rock solid a few months earlier, suddenly looked as wobbly as a desperation pass."It was kind of scary for a while," John Clemens said in a telephone interview. "But I knew his films were out there for the scouts to see. And I also knew Kell could get back to where he had been before the injury because of his work ethic."The boy who had been breaking in wild horses since he was in junior high, who had been digging irrigation ditches since before that on land his family has farmed since the late 1800's, got up every day and did whatever needed to be done for his rehabilitation. His tenacity did not go unnoticed by the Jets, who also liked the strength of his arm. When they drafted Clemens at No. 49, his family rejoiced.Clemens's youngest sister, who is 7, learned the J-E-T-S cheer and kept chanting it. As the afternoon wore on, the magnitude of this seismic change in Clemens's life registered with his parents and sisters, and feelings of apprehension rubbed against their jubilation."You hear all these things about New York," John Clemens said. "How the media is so rough and the fans are so tough. It is going to be kind of a culture shock."Clemens, who was married last year, said he and his wife, Nicole, were excited about exploring New York's rich treasure trove of history and culture. He suspects that his new world will not clash with his old one as much as the well-worn generalizations would have you believe."When I got to college I had people asking me if we had electricity where I came from," Clemens said, laughing. "It was unbelievable. There were people who grew up in the state who were thinking we're still riding around in covered wagons where I'm from."In the beginning, he said, he will confine his world to the Jets' practice facility and whatever tiny living space he and Nicole decide to make their temporary home. Asked what he would miss most about where he grew up, Clemens replied, "Oh, man, I think really just the wide openness of it, the freedom that that lifestyle kind of gives a person."</div>
I prefer this article, great read for Jets fans.<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>http://www.nj.com/jets/ledger/index...4060.xml&coll=1Mangold likes center of actionFriday, May 12, 2006 BY DAVE HUTCHINSONStar-Ledger StaffBeing perceived as the heir apparent to six-time Pro Bowl center Kevin Mawae suits Jets rookie first-round pick Nick Mangold just fine. While at Ohio State, Mangold emerged from the considerable shadows of two current NFL starting centers. Following Mawae is just the latest, albeit greatest, challenge for Mangold.As a Buckeye, Mangold stepped in for an injured Alex Stepanovich in the second game of his sophomore season and played so well that Stepanovich was moved to guard when he returned. Stepanovich has started the past two seasons at center for the Arizona Cardinals.In 2002, Stepanovich followed All-American LeCharles Bentley as Ohio State's starting center. Bentley, winner of the Rimington Award as the nation's best center as a senior, is a two-time Pro Bowler. This off-season he signed a six-year, $36 million free-agent contract with the Browns that included a $12 million signing bonus. He's regarded as one of the premier centers in the NFL.Mangold, the second of the Jets' two first-round picks and the 29th overall pick, was drafted higher than Stepanovich (fourth round) and Bentley (second round). A second-team All-American and three-year starter, Mangold was considered the best center in the draft."I think it's a great thing to have that type of pressure," Mangold said of following Mawae, who was released and signed by the Titans this off-season. "Going to Ohio State, I had to fill the shoes of some great centers. So I'm looking forward to the opportunity."Mangold will be among roughly 42 rookies/first-year players expected to participate in the Jets' rookie minicamp, which begins today at Hofstra and runs through Sunday. All 10 of the club's draft picks, including left tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson, who was taken fourth overall, are expected to attend.The camp marks the first of any kind for first-year head coach Eric Mangini, the former Patriots defensive coordinator who has brought a distinct New England flavor to the Jets.The starting job at center is apparently Mangold's to lose. Before the draft, the Jets signed former Bills center Trey Teague, but he is now likely an insurance policy in case Mangold struggles early. Teague, who can also play left tackle, provides the Jets with depth along their revamped offensive line.At Ohio State, Mangold, 6-4 and 300 pounds, did it all. Although not overpowering, he was explosive enough to play the power game, and quick and athletic enough to play in space, something Mawae did so well. Mangold can also play guard.Perhaps most important, Mangold can think on his feet and is a technician. Last season the co-captain made all the line calls. According to his coaches, he graded 84.3 percent in blocking consistency, allowed no sacks and was charged with only one quarterback pressure. The Buckeyes averaged 422.3 yards of total offense per game."I think my best asset is the intelligence that I bring to the game," said Mangold, who grew up in Centerville, Ohio, and went to Ohio State with Jets kick Mike Nugent. "I was taught real early in college that I had to learn everything there is to know in football, and I tried to do that."Mangini describes Mangold as "incredibly smart as a center." The Jets also like Mangold's leadership qualities.</div>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (AdropOFvenom @ May 12 2006, 07:43 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>I prefer this article, great read for Jets fans.</div>Um, they're about two completely different topics... but ok...
