A week ago I posted that I thought the Jets had no shot of getting Brett Favre. Well a lot has changed in a week, as now the Jets are apparently one of two teams given permission to speak with Favre. The Jets have not yet done so, but they have talked to his agent Bus Cook and seem to be holding out in case the Packers drop their asking price. I agree with this strategy, as I would not give up a first or second round draft pick (which Green Bay is asking for) for a player who may only play for a year or two more. But if Green Bay gets so desperate that they are willing to accept a third round pick, even a conditional one that can become a second rounder if Favre leads the Jets to the playoffs, I would pull the trigger.
I still believe Kellen Clemens should be the starter if the Jets don't get Favre. I know he has thrown lots of picks in practice, but he seems to be improving the last two days, and despite what changes Chad Pennington has made to his throwing motion, he still limits what the Jets can do on offense. Plus we haven't seen either of them throw in a preseason game yet, so let's hold off on naming Chad the starter based on a week of practice. But if Favre became available, he is better than either of these two options right now. Sure the offense would be new but Favre is a veteran who should be able to pick it up pretty quickly. And for those who think it might be a distraction- well, that distraction didn't hurt the Packers too much last year, did it?
Of course there is the issue that Favre supposedly doesn't want to play for the Jets. Certainly I would not trade for him if he would refuse to play. But perhaps the Tangini combo can convince Favre that the Jets are closer to the playoffs than many people think, and that, in fact, Favre might push them over the top to contend for a wildcard or maybe even a division title. And if Favre doesn't want to live in the big city, that's fine too. He can live in the suburbs or in Jersey, which is where both the training facility and the stadium are anyway. Plus Favre will be the center of attention around here, which he's used to since he seemingly owns the city of Green Bay.
As for Chad and Kellen, if the Jets get Favre they'll have to get rid of Pennington since he makes too much and will need to be cut so the Jets can pay Favre. In fact, the Jets should trade him to the Packers as part of the deal for Favre- the Jets won't need him and Green Bay needs a veteran backup behind Aaron Rodgers anyway. Maybe this way the Jets won't need to give up as high of a draft pick if they throw Chad in as well. Clemens then can learn behind a Hall of Famer who has comparable arm strength, rather than having to learn behind Chad who has a totally different style of playing. After a few years Kellen can either take the reigns, or if he's not the real deal the Jets can start over with a new quarterback. But maybe by then the Jets will have a few more playoff victories under their belt.
