clinton's weblog of the present and near future

Jay Cutler was traded to the Chicago Bears on Thursday, which is good news for the Jets, whether they realize it or not. Chicago gave up much more that the Jets could afford for a guy that just blew up his team. He can play but where is his head? Again, look what he just did to Denver. Do you want this guy in New York throwing interceptions in playoff games, self-destructing and not being able to handle the situation.

I understand his situation, he got upset that they thought about trading him. But look at the reaction of two guys who almost got traded for Cutler and how they dealt with the situation.

Washington’s quarterback Jason Campbell said,  “We talked for a long time about everything that had happened and the thing I felt the best about was that I got a chance to talk about what I’m trying to do, which is just get ready for the season and try to help this team get to that higher level, Coach Zorn and (Snyder) all let me know how they feel about things and that’s why I’d say it was real successful because now it’s just about moving forward and trying to win. I’m going to be in this offense for my second year, coach Zorn has learned a lot, different stuff that can help us be more successful, and I just think it was real positive today.”

And Kellen Clemens said this the day before Cutler went to Chicago, “It’s going to have a direct effect on me, possibly, however it all shakes out. I try not to let it affect me right now and the preparation that I am doing because the whole thing might blow over and he (might) go somewhere else. All three of us are still here and we go forward. You don’t want to lose these days of preparation worrying about hypotheticals.”

The point is that not everyone cries and quits when they get mentioned in trades. It also shows that Clemens, who has been in New York now for three years, understands what the deal is and how to handle it. He and Brett Ratliff deserve a chance to win the job in training camp. I am confident that one of them, probably Clemens, can and will handle the job. If that happens I will also point it now forever.

Now, all the Jets have to do is not panic on draft day and avoid picking a quarterback if one is still available at 17. I’ve amended my draft preferences in the last day or two. Jeremy Maclin(WR-Missouri) is still the preferred choice. However, he’s far from guaranteed to be left when the Jets come up. Next, (here’s whats new from a post earlier this week) I know think Knowshon Moreno(RB-Georgia) should be the primary fall back choice if Maclin is gone. The draft is three weeks from today, and with the Cutler saga now over, I can was most of time reading about that.

Two weeks ago, Jay Cutler formally asked the Broncos to trade him. Immediately, every team in the league that needed a quarterback scrambled to get in line to make an offer. Now, after Cutler appears to have cut off all contact with the team, they are now ready to start working on a deal. The whole back story to this saga is ludicrous and so is the fact that it’s come to this. Their new head coach, Josh McDaniels, isn’t ready to be a head coach and Jay Cutler is a spoiled brat. This should be a red flag to any team considering buying into the Cutler sweepstakes.

Speculators are already out there saying the Jets want to be players in this ordeal, despite my advise otherwise. I’d have some hesitation about taking Cutler if he were free. (Not enough to turn him down, but it would be in the back of my mind for a long time) However, he’s going to cost the Jets more they can afford, perhaps 2 firsts and David Harris to start (see above link). Now add in what it will cost once the escalated bidding costs and then tell me he’s worth it. It’s not going to matter though because, in the end, the Jets will be outbid by teams that have better picks and a more proven quarterback to offer. For example Cleveland wants Cutler, they have Brady Quinn and the 5th pick overall. They also have the 36th over pick (4th in the 2nd round) while the Jets only have the 17th and 52nd overall picks. Detroit can also beat out the Jets if it just comes down to draft picks.

Again, I want to see what Kellen Clemens and Brett Ratliff can do before the team gives up on them. The way the team is coming together, both of them will be in an ideal spot to prove they guide an offense that doesn’t have to outscore the other offense every week. The defense is going to win games and the offenses goal will just be to control the game on the ground. This is the scenario that is going to end up playing out because no one of interest is going to be available and they will end up getting outbid for Cutler. And that is a good thing.

Denver Broncos Quarterback Jay Cutler has requested a trade after a month of mismanagement by the Broncos led to Cutler’s emotional collapse. Everyone will now start speculating and suggesting that the Jets need to trade for Cutler if he’s available. Not so fast. Denver may have shown poor judgement trying to deal him and then denying it, but the way Cutler’s handled the ordeal proves to me that he’s not going to be able to lead an offense in New York. He’s too temperamental and sensitive and every percieved slight to going to require extra special attention. Plus, he has a losing record and throws more interceptions than touchdowns.

I also think it’s too soon to dismiss Kellen Clemens as a viable starter. This will be his fourth year in the Jet’s system. The offensive line is solid (unlike in 2007, when he was thrown in on a bad team before he was ready) and the defense is going to carry the team. This is the perfect spot for him to step into and prove, one way or the other, whether he can be the quarterback of this team. The Jet’s need to give a legitimate chance to win the job before they cast him aside. I hope they will.