Around the AFC East, Week 7: New York Jets

Moving on, we talk to Brian Bassett at The Jets Blog.

It seems there's still some decisions to be made about the QB position, re: is it Chad or Kellen?  In my mind, having this much uncertainty is certainly not a positive thing.  What's the NYJ fan perspective?  Are folks concerned?  Is there any rumblings from the organization and/or players that they're concerned?

The Jets Blog: I agree that not knowing is tough on everyone.  I've not asked (that's a great poll idea) but from what I gather, I feel like most fans are pretty evenly split on who should QB the team.  Some lean towards Pennington because he's a known commodity and they are eager to see what the new line (which means much better protection and run threat) will benefit him more quickly.  Other fans think that they've seen enough with Pennington and they want to play the younger Kellen Clemens, who sparkled in moments of the 2007 season and in whom the team invested a second round pick in 2006.  Those folks feel like Clemens got a bum deal running for his life behind a Swiss Cheese line that you'll remember nearly got him killed in Foxborough by Richard Seymour. 

As far as the organization, I just got word from a reader/spy that met a current player I won't name this week and who was dead serious saying he thinks "Chad is the guy."  The politic answer is that both will be much better than what we saw from the team in 2007, as they have a better supporting cast to take pressure off the QB position.

A decent O line makes all the difference in the world when it comes to QB play.  We saw it in the Super Bowl.  If you don't give your QB enough time to make good decisions, he's gonna be in trouble and have to put his running shoes on.  However, the Jets need to make a decision and SOON.  I'm of the opinion that the offense needs to know who their leader is.  He's the dude running the show on the front lines and the offense needs as much time with him as possible.

Thanks to Brian Bassett at The Jets Blog for a great answer.  Head on over to his site for my answer.