Kellen Clemens Is Delusional

Less than a month after the New York Jets traded up to select Mark Sanchez with the No. 5 pick in the NFL Draft, it’s safe to say Kellen Clemens is in denial. Clemens, a fourth-year player, claims he still expects to be the Jets’ starter during the team’s Week 1 game against the Houston Texans. Yeah, you keep expecting that Kellen.

I realize that Clemens has to say that and has to tell himself that he has a chance to beat out Sanchez, but I personally think he should just not say anything. Let’s just look at the facts.

The Jets’ brass loved Clemens so much, they signed Brett Favre last year rather than give the kid a chance to play. Instead of entering the 2009 season with Clemens as the starter, the team traded its first and second round picks and three players to get Sanchez. It’s not like a quarterback fell to them and they decided to take the best guy available, they aggressively moved up to get him.

Throw in the fact that new coach Rex Ryan is very comfortable with a rookie under center - given how Joe Flacco performed with the Baltimore Ravens last year - and it spells very bad things for Kellen Clemens. Unless he hires someone to go all Shane Stant on Sanchez, his chances of seeing the field in 2009 are pretty slim.

Again, I understand that the guy has to be confident in his abilities but at some point, just don’t say anything. If you’re gonna win the job, just go out and do it. Then again, if he truly believes he’ll be the starting quarterback this fall, he’s got bigger problems than a lack of talent on the football field. He should really seek professional help.