Sunday, April 30, 2006

Jets-Boys discuss trade for Julius Jones

Get passer in second
NY Daily News
Originally published on April 30, 2006

The Jets drafted a potential quarterback of the future yesterday, Oregon's Kellen Clemens in Round 2, and they also explored the possibility of trading for Curtis Martin's heir apparent.

Before the draft, the Jets talked to the Cowboys about acquiring running back Julius Jones, who has rushed for 1,812 yards in two injury-plagued seasons. If the Cowboys had drafted a runner, it would've made Jones expendable. Talks appear dead.

The Jets didn't take a running back with any of their five picks.

Clemens is only 6-1-1/2 and he doesn't have a big arm, but "the guy has outstanding, outstanding intangibles," GM Mike Tannenbaum said.

"Them passing on (Matt) Leinart left the door open for me," Clemens said.

He completed 64% of his passes last season, with 19 touchdown passes and only four interceptions. He missed the last two months of the season with a broken ankle.