RAVENS 24JETS 23
This much is clear about the Jets quarterback competition: The Jets still don't have an answer who will be the starter on opening day in Houston. That's bad news for any team.
It is rare for the second pre-season game to have any meaning at all, but this one had a lot of meaning for the Rex Ryan, who was hoping to have a better gauge in the Mark Sanchez vs. Kellen Clemens battle; all he got was garbage from his two QB's.
Sanchez was pretty awful in his first real test against a superior defense. On the second play of the game, Sanchez was driven into the ground by Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis, and, in shear panic, Sanchez threw the ball into the hands of Haloti Ngata who rumbled untouched into the end zone for a touchdown.
Sanchez had the look of the proverbial deer in the headlights as the Ravens threw everything, including the kitchen sink, at the USC product. In fact, Sanchez was even smacked in the head on a fumble that he caused, leading Ryan to pull him from the game for fear of a concussion. The only good thing Sanchez did well was complete a nice 19 yard touchdown pass to Leon Washington to cut the Ravens lead to 14-7.
As for Clemens, he wasn't any better.
With the Jets trailing 14-7, and, with the ball on their own 15 yard line, the Jets decided to call a pass play, which made little sense because of the bad field position. Clemens was corralled and was about to be taken down for a sack until he threw up the ball in desperation into the hands of Jameel McClain. Unfortunately, for Gang Green McClain is a corner back for the Ravens. McClain dashed into the end zone for the touchdown to give Baltimore a 21-7 lead. The only positive for Clemens was a beautiful arching 28 yard touchdown to David Clowney to get the Jets to within seven, 21-14; that was the only positive moment for Clemens on the night, whose passes seem to lack zip.
The only Jets quarterback who actually played well was Eric Ainge. Even though he was facing third string defenders, Ainge orchestrated a nice 17 play 74 yard drive that ate up the rest of the fourth quarter, that culminated with an Ainge touchdown scramble to get the Jets to within 24-23. Ainge tried to connect Bobby Christopher for the two point conversion that would have given the Jets a 25-24 win, but the pass was deflected to preserve the Ravens victory. Box Score.
What should Jet fans take from the game? Mark Sanchez is not ready for prime time. He looked over matched and befuddled throughout the night, making it quite clear that he will need more seasoning before he can become a legitimate NFL quarterback.
The Jets may be best advised to give Clemens the starting job on opening day, since he knows the offense the best, giving the Jets the best shot to get off to a respectable start this year. However, there is nothing wrong with giving a rookie the start from the get-go. Fans will just have to accept that 2009 will be a season sacrificed for better days ahead.
It is rare for the second pre-season game to have any meaning at all, but this one had a lot of meaning for the Rex Ryan, who was hoping to have a better gauge in the Mark Sanchez vs. Kellen Clemens battle; all he got was garbage from his two QB's.
Sanchez was pretty awful in his first real test against a superior defense. On the second play of the game, Sanchez was driven into the ground by Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis, and, in shear panic, Sanchez threw the ball into the hands of Haloti Ngata who rumbled untouched into the end zone for a touchdown.
Sanchez had the look of the proverbial deer in the headlights as the Ravens threw everything, including the kitchen sink, at the USC product. In fact, Sanchez was even smacked in the head on a fumble that he caused, leading Ryan to pull him from the game for fear of a concussion. The only good thing Sanchez did well was complete a nice 19 yard touchdown pass to Leon Washington to cut the Ravens lead to 14-7.
As for Clemens, he wasn't any better.
With the Jets trailing 14-7, and, with the ball on their own 15 yard line, the Jets decided to call a pass play, which made little sense because of the bad field position. Clemens was corralled and was about to be taken down for a sack until he threw up the ball in desperation into the hands of Jameel McClain. Unfortunately, for Gang Green McClain is a corner back for the Ravens. McClain dashed into the end zone for the touchdown to give Baltimore a 21-7 lead. The only positive for Clemens was a beautiful arching 28 yard touchdown to David Clowney to get the Jets to within seven, 21-14; that was the only positive moment for Clemens on the night, whose passes seem to lack zip.
The only Jets quarterback who actually played well was Eric Ainge. Even though he was facing third string defenders, Ainge orchestrated a nice 17 play 74 yard drive that ate up the rest of the fourth quarter, that culminated with an Ainge touchdown scramble to get the Jets to within 24-23. Ainge tried to connect Bobby Christopher for the two point conversion that would have given the Jets a 25-24 win, but the pass was deflected to preserve the Ravens victory. Box Score.
What should Jet fans take from the game? Mark Sanchez is not ready for prime time. He looked over matched and befuddled throughout the night, making it quite clear that he will need more seasoning before he can become a legitimate NFL quarterback.
The Jets may be best advised to give Clemens the starting job on opening day, since he knows the offense the best, giving the Jets the best shot to get off to a respectable start this year. However, there is nothing wrong with giving a rookie the start from the get-go. Fans will just have to accept that 2009 will be a season sacrificed for better days ahead.
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