Aug 18th 2008 6:21PM by Tom Mantzouranis (author feed)
Filed under: Jets, AFC EastThe good vibes can only last in the New York/New Jersey media markets for so long before it’s time to bicker and complain — we’re fickle like that. So after Brett Favre threw a touchdown in his first quarter of his debut with the Jets, it was only a matter of time before fans somewhat moved on.

In this case, they’re arguing about who should take over if/when the marathon of games Favre has played over the years catch up to his 38-year-old body and he inevitably misses one or more.

The natural answer would be Kellen Clemens, the second-round pick from 2006. But Clemens looked bad last season as a starter and has been outplayed so far this training camp and preseason by Brett Ratliff. On Saturday night, Clemens went 5-for-12 for 63 yards, and Ratliff went 13-for-19 for for 148 yards, leading the team on a drive that ended with a field goal.

But fans looking at Ratliff as the future are being shortsighted. Not to say Clemens is the better quarterback, simply that it’s too early to tell. Ratliff was playing against the bottom of the barrel. Clemens has talent, it just needs to be developed. It’s myopic to forget that last year fans were begging for him as they are for Ratliff now. Last season was not a good barometer nor opportunity to develop his skills. Those wishing for Clemens to be exiled might be calling for the same to happen to Ratliff a year from now.