Clemens, Jets come up short in Baltimore

Football Betting Lines

09/18/2007 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Through the first three quarters of their loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, the New York Jets would have been better off with Clarence Clemons under center rather than what they had in Kellen Clemens.

But, in the fourth quarter Clemens, who was making his first NFL start in place of the injured Chad Pennington, showed why he was a second-round pick in 2006 and why Jets fans have been clamoring to see him since training camp began.

After doing next to nothing offensively for the first 45 minutes of the game, Clemens put it all together in the fourth quarter, as he came within an eyelash of leading his team to a game-tying score with under a minute to play, only to be let down by his wide receivers in the 20-13 loss.

"As the game grew on, I got more and more comfortable," said Clemens, who finished the game 19-of-37 for 260 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions. "My play in the first half was not what it should have been. In the course of the game, you try not to kick yourself too much, you learn from it as quick as you can, you look at the pictures and you move on. By the second half, things slowed down a little bit, I calmed down and we were able to move the football."

Trailing by a touchdown and with just under two minutes to play, Clemens hit Justin McCareins in stride at the Ravens' six, but he dropped what should have been the tying touchdown. Two plays later, Clemens found the usually reliable Laveranues Coles open in the end zone, but he couldn't scoop up the low pass.

"I've got to come up with that," Coles said. "Somehow, some way Laveranues has to come up with that play. That's what they have me here for. I'm disappointed with myself."

Four plays after the Coles drop, McCareins again dropped a pass in the end zone, only this time it caromed into the waiting arms of all-world linebacker Ray Lewis, ending any chance of a dramatic comeback.

"Those are plays I know I can make and I have made," said McCareins. I just didn't get it done when it counted."

If you are a fan of the Jets you have something to cling to. Clemens took an absolute beating and almost pulled off an improbable comeback against a team that almost never coughs it up. In fact, coming into the game, the Ravens owned a 48-1 record when they had a 14-point lead into the second half.

"I thought he showed great poise," said head coach Eric Mangini, whose team is off to their first 0-2 start since 2003. "This is a guy making his first start against an outstanding defense that gives multiple looks and pressure. He took their best shot and kept coming, and I was pleased with that."

QB CONTROVERSY BREWING?

So was Clemens' performance enough to warrant another start? Probably not, but it definitely solidified the organization's belief that they may have a quarterback of the future on their roster.

Mangini stated after the game that Chad Pennington is still his starter and will play this week as long as his ankle is ready to go, but his leash may gotten a little shorter given the way Clemens played down the stretch on Sunday.

I am sure Jets fans will be all over Pennington, though, the second he makes a mistake.

It's a tough call for Mangini. On the one hand Pennington does give the Jets the best chance to win right now. But chances are they are not going to be a playoff team this season anyway. So why not just stick the kid in there, let him take his lumps and be ready to hit the ground running next season when the team could be a bona fide contender?

FANTASY STUD OF THE WEEK

One receiver who had no trouble catching the ball in Sunday's loss was Jerricho Cotchery, who hauled in seven passes for a career-high 165 yards. It was the third 100-yard game of his career and the highest total for a Jets WR since Keyshawn Johnson managed 194 yards receiving on eight catches vs. the Patriots on Sept. 12, 1999.

"He's just a special guy," Mangini said of Cotchery. "I admire his competitiveness and his toughness. You just love to coach guys like that."

Cotchery's 44-yard catch led to the Jets touchdown in the fourth quarter, while his 50-yard catch-and-run helped set up the near tying score.

"A lot of teams are paying a lot of attention to Laveranues, so that's where I have to do my work," Cotchery said. "Kellen (Clemens) noticed that and I was able to get open on a few routes."

INJURIES

The Jets escaped Baltimore relatively injury-free, but defensive back and kickoff returner Justin Miller left the game with a right knee injury and may be done for the season.

The Jets have not confirmed anything (to no one's surprise), but multiple reports in New York have said that he has ligament damage.

DISTURBING STAT OF THE WEEK

Opposing quarterbacks have now thrown 63 passes against the Jets and the defense has yet to record a sack. Their much-maligned offensive line, though, has allowed their quarterback to be taken down an AFC-high eight times.

UP NEXT

The Jets have a very good chance of getting off the schneid this week when they welcome the also winless Miami Dolphins to the Meadowlands.

New York beat Miami twice last season and has won five of the last six in the series. The Jets, who hold a 43-38-1 lead in their all-time series with Miami, have also won three straight at home over the Dolphins.

In addition to their regular season history, the Jets and Dolphins met in the 1982 AFC Championship, which went to Miami by a 14-0 score.

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Matt Kenseth And Kevin Harvick Favorites To Take NASCAR Nextel Cup Championship

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MySportsbook.com will offer comprehensive Nascar betting lines on every race remaining on the Nextel Cup series including driver match-ups, props and odds to win each race. For a complete list of NASCAR odds, please visit www.MySportsbook.com.

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MySportsbook.com: NFL draft - The NFC South


In part two of MySportsbook.com’s draft preview, we’ll take a look at a division that was extremely disappointing last season: the NFC South.  Many “experts” predicted the Panthers to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl, of course they could not even make the playoffs in an extremely weak NFC.  The Saints definitely made up for the disappointing seasons of their NFC South brethren by exploding out of no where en route to the NFC Championship game.  For the avid NFL gambler, it is imperative to pay attention to the NFL draft.  Although free agency gets a ton of publicity, the successful franchises build their teams around the draft.

1. New Orleans Saints
Who would have thought this time last year that the Saints would be the favorites to win the NFC South for the 2007 campaign?  New Orleans is loaded with firepower on the offensive side of the ball but with the exodus of Joe Horn they will most likely look to draft a WR on Day 1.  Despite having the NFL’s 3rd ranked pass defense last season, the Saints will most likely upgrade their CB’s with one of their first two picks. Other possibilities for the Saints will be TE and DT.  Because of where they will be selecting (27th), the Saints could go the “best available player” route which could net a LB.

Key additions: Eric Johnson TE, Troy Evans LB, David Patten WR
Key loses: Joe Horn WR,
Team needs: CB, WR, TE, LB, DT
Possible draftees: Aaron Ross CB Texas, Darrelle Revis CB Pitt, Ted Ginn Jr. WR OSU, Paul Posluszny LB PSU, Chris Houston CB Arkansas, Greg Olsen TE Miami

2. Carolina Panthers
Carolina was one of the biggest disappointments in the NFL last season.  With the signing of David Carr, expect the very first quarterback controversy to come out of Carolina if Jake Delhomme doesn’t rebound quickly from an average 2007 season. With veteran safety Mike Minter getting up there in age, they will look to draft a safety on Day 1 but probably not in the first round.  LB is another need with the loss of Chris Draft to go along with Dan Morgan’s concussion problems.  If TE Greg Olsen is still on the board, he might be too good to pass up despite their needs on the defensive side of the ball.

Key additions: David Carr QB
Key loses: Chris Draft LB
Team needs: LB, TE, S, OT
Possible draftees: Greg Olsen TE Miami, Patrick Willis LB Ole Miss, Paul Posluszny LB PSU, Levi Brown OT PSU

3. Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons were another NFC South team to have a disappointing 2007 season.  The Falcons have been plenty busy during the off season with plenty of players coming and going including a new head coach.  The Falcons were able to improve their draft position with the trade of coveted backup QB Matt Schaub.  High on the list of Day 1 needs will be a defensive end to replace Patrick Kerney and a hard hitting safety since Lawyer Milloy is nearing the end of his career.  With an additional 2nd round pick, the Falcons could attempt to trade up to acquire local product WR Calvin Johnson. 

Key additions: Joey Harrington QB, Toniu Fonoti OG, Joe Horn WR
Key loses: Justin Griffen RB, Patrick Kerney DE, Matt Lehr OG, Ashley Lelie WR, Matt Schaub QB
Team needs: DE, S, OT, WR, DT
Possible draftees: LaRon Landry S LSU, Amobi Okoye DT Louisville, Levi Brown OT PSU, Jamaal Anderson DE Arkansas, Alan Branch DT Michigan

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Age really caught up to the Bucs last season.  The Bucs still have plenty of household names on defense in Ronde Barber, Simeon Rice and Derrick Brooks but the one thing those three have in common is unfortunately age.  It is imperative for the Bucs to get much younger, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Despite having bigger needs on the defensive side of the ball, WR Calvin Johnson is the most likely pick if he is still available when the Bucs pick at the four spot.  This would suit Bucs’ faithful just fine as Johnson is widely considered the top talent in the draft and it is a position of need for the Bucs.

Key additions: Jeff Garcia QB, Kevin Carter DE, Torrie Cox CB, Cato June LB
Key loses: Dewayne White DE, Sean Mahan OG
Team needs: WR, LB, DE, CB (Youth on defense!)
Possible draftees: Calvin Johnson WR Georgia Tech, Gains Adams DE Clemson, Jamaal Anderson DE Arkansas

It is never too early to start betting on the NFL. Log on to MySportsbook.com to checkout all of the NFL futures for the upcoming season.  On the clock: the NFC North

Odds to win the NFC South:
New Orleans Saints 8-5
Carolina Panthers 2-1
Atlanta Falcons 12-5
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 9-2    

Odds to win the NFC:
New Orleans Saints 13-2
Carolina Panthers 7-1
Atlanta Falcons 20-1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 25-1

Odds to win the Super Bowl:
New Orleans Saints 18-1
Carolina Panthers 20-1
Atlanta Falcons 50-1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 75-1

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