Off-Field Issues Before Tennessee
Rookie QB violates league's substance abuse policy
by: Bob Bonett
The Brett Favre Era – however long it may last – has gone better than expected in Florham Park. Sitting in first place in the AFC East, one year removed from an embarrassing 4-12 campaign, New York has its sights set on a Super Bowl run. Yet, as the news gets better on the field for Gang Green – the big win over New England on Thursday the excalamtion point – happenings off the field are still leaving a sour taste in the mouths of fans.
For the second time in this, dare I say, storybook season for the Jets, a member of the roster has been suspended four games for violating the league's substance abuse policy. Following in the cheating footsteps of RB Jesse Chatman, rookie QB Erik Ainge became a punching bag for Pats' fans Friday when the league announced the findings.
Granted, Chatman and Ainge are essentially nobodys on the club this year. Ainge is on injured reserve with a foot injury and is deep on the depth chart behind the likes of Favre, Kellen Clemens and even Brett Ratliff. Chatman's out for the year too and hadn't made any impact prior, carrying the ball five times for eight yards in three games.
Still, Jets fans should be infuriated with Chatman and Ainge, as well as the organization. First off, it wasn't too long ago – one year – that Pats' safety Rodney Harrison was suspended for taking human growth hormone (HGH). Admittedly, Harrison's role on the Pats far surpassed that of a perennial back-up. But whenever he was involved in a play last year, critics of the Patriots made their voices heard about the team not being "clean." While Chatman and Ainge won't be on the field at all, it is one extra opportunity for haters of Gang Green to take a dig at the franchise.
Secondly, why has this been a recurring issue for the team? While behavior on and off the field may be beyond the control of the coaches and upper management in the NFL, Mike Tannenbaum, Eric Mangini and the rest of the staff need to take partial responsibility for the team's antics. Just look at Marvin Lewis in Cincinnati; the Bengals' head man has taken plenty of heat for his team's after-hour activities, even if Lewis himself isn't the one with a court date every other day.
I may be blowing this out of proportion, but think of the ramifications: What if Ainge ends up becoming starting quarterback for the Jets down the road? We're all pretty sure that Favre won't be around too long and we're all DEFINITELY sure Clemens is not the Signal-Calling Savior that he was depicted to be in last year's preseason. Ainge could be the man at the head of the Jets' quarterback class in a couple of years – heck, he was one of the highest rated players at his position coming into the draft with his accurate arm and presence in the pocket. Another stupid decision in his freshman campaign could reflect poorly on the integrity of the Jets, could result in endless scrutiny on Ainge, or even end his career in New York.
Sunday's showdown against Tennessee is worry enough for the organization and fans; now, a new distraction, from a fourth-string quarterback, no less, rears its ugly head two days before kickoff.
I guess it's true when they say it's not easy being Green.
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