Why Don’t The Jets Trust Kellen Clemens?

Thursday’s game between the Jets and the Bills was fantasy-noteworthy for several reasons. Thomas Jones rushed for over 100 yards. Jets’ rookie QB Mark Sanchez was injured and had to leave the game. The Jets showed a complete lack of faith in their backup QB, Kellen Clemens.

Wait, what was that last one?

With 8:15 left in the 3rd quarter, Sanchez handed the ball off to David Clowney and then pulled up lame. Sanchez had fallen hard to the turf a few plays before and it was clear that Sanchez needed to get the knee looked at by the trainers. The game was shaping up to be yet another NFL Network Thursday Night snoozefest, but the Jets were only up 16-10.

Sanchez left the game and Clemens came in. At that point there was more that seven minutes left in the quarter, and from the time Clemens came into the game the Jets ran a total of 31 offensive plays. Those 31 plays fell into the following categories:

Handoffs - 17

Punt - 4

QB Sacked - 3

QB Scramble - 2

QB Takes A Knee - 2

Pass Play - 2

Field Goal - 1

Halfway through the 3rd quarter and the Jets only threw TWO passes the rest of the game. Clemens took a knee as often as he threw a pass. What was going on there? Yes, the Bills stink but six points is hardly a safe lead with a third of the game to play against a division opponent on the road.

The Jets coaching staff just seemed unwilling to let Clemens throw the ball. Why? I don’t know. It wasn’t as though the running game was rolling along either; the Jets’ six offensive series with Clemens on the field ended with four punts, a field goal and a knee to end the game.

Depending on the severity of Sanchez’s injury he could be a huge waiver wire target next week, especially with the Jets facing Tampa Bay. Before you jump on him though, consider the fact that the Jets coaching staff didn’t want him to throw the ball on Thursday. Unless you can figure out why, there’s reason to believe he won’t be throwing the ball much next Sunday either.