Kellen Clemens: Making the Mark Sanchez Decision Easier for the New York Jets

For anyone expecting the first round of the New York Jets' open quarterback competition to swing in favor of the veteran, it'd probably be best to step back for a moment and reevaluate the situation.

After all, the New York Jets did leap 12 spots in the NFL Draft to select Mark Sanchez for a reason.

Kellen Clemens, the four-year veteran expected to battle with Sanchez, has been less than stellar during organized team activities.

Members of the media tweeted their immediate observations, and there weren't any glowing endorsements of Clemens to be found.

While the activities were only for the veterans, meaning no Sanchez and friends, Clemens was still engaged in competition with second-year quarterback Erik Ainge. Neither impressed.

The tweets were coming in fast and furious, referencing interceptions, broken up passes, hesitation, and even a would-be Vernon Gholston sack.

Although the season is still over three months away, Clemens is in a situation where every opportunity matters.

With four years in coordinator Brian Schottenheimer's offense and a highly-anticipated rookie breathing down his neck, one has to wonder if Clemens can actually meet the challenge.

He's said all the right things to the press and has been an absolute class act his entire time with the Jets. But if he wants to be the starting quarterback, he's going to have to inspire a lot more confidence in training camp.

The strongest case Clemens can make for the starting job is to leave no doubt that it belongs to him, not back into it. Comparable performances with Ainge aren't good enough.

In fact, comparable performances with Sanchez won't be good enough either.

In this situation, Clemens' veteran experience works against him. He may be well versed in the intricacies of the playbook, but if he can't execute at an expert level, then there will be absolutely no reason for Sanchez to sit behind him.

It may only be spring, and this may have only been a practice session, but Clemens has to leave no doubts that he's an NFL-ready quarterback.

Then again, all of Clemens' problems could have been caused by the complexity of Rex Ryan's defense, already practicing as if they've been playing for months.

"They are doing what the other teams aren’t doing," said Clemens of the defense. "I can’t even explain it. It’s so unique that it’s tough to really put it into a category.

"It’s going to be a lot of fun to watch on Sunday."

Clemens is going to have to play lights out football this summer if he doesn't want to watch the offense on Sunday, too.