New York Jets coach Eric Mangini said former University of Tennessee Erik Ainge is the funniest of the rookies. Mangini, during his news conference, talked about a skit put on by the rookies last week in which everyone from Mangini to Brett Favre got lampooned.
"He's funny," Mangini said of Ainge, who has struggled this camp.
Pause.
"Some of his throws have been funny."
That's gotta hurt.
Ainge has not played in the two preseason games.
Meanwhile, former UT defensive end Shaun Ellis (broken hand) did not play against Washington on Saturday night.
Ellis has not practiced in a week.
"I'm not sure of the exact timetable, but I don't think it's going to be like leading into the season or anything like that," Mangini said.
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Comments » 50
volunteer_cowboy writes:
what other options do the jets have?
orangecountry21 writes:
Mangini is feeling our pain. 1st to say 1st!!
golfballs03 writes:
I think it's inside Eriks head. He's got the skills, but needs to work on the mental aspect of the game
burntorangeVOLffle writes:
This quote is from about 4 days ago. Apparently Ainge is on the verge of being cut. Some free agent named Ratliff has come out of no where and is about to take the #2 spot behind Farve pushing Clemens to #3 leaving Ainge as the expendable #4 QB. They could keep him on the practice squad though.
CapnJohn writes:
Erik is not a pro quarterback. He was not a college quarterback. He couldn't handle pressure then and he can't handle it now.
I've said it before and I'll say it again, after what he did in the SEC championship game against LSU (i.e. I'm pretty sure he was paid to throw the game...that's the only explanation to his dismal preformance) he doesn't deserve a pro career, nor did he earn a pro career. As far as I'm concerned, he earned a desk job. Or a job at McDonalds.
I've said what I came to say.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
At least no one has been injured in the stands.
rootin4volz writes:
Okay, so Eric Ainge is a funny Jet, and he has some funny throws, and he hasn't played. So...what's the point here, guys? Pretty stupid use of space.
pammyvol1000 writes:
Ainge came in his freshman year and did great! He beat Ga.. Then he got stuck in the dink and dunk routine of the system.. I still think he has great potential to be an NFL QB.. but then I always try to support all Vols.. even former.
pdh: come one now..
TommyJack writes:
pdparker 12:33: No Ainge fan, but paid to throw a game? Get a grip, man.
junder13 writes:
I'm not surprised at all to hear this from the Jets coach (or any NFL coach for that matter). He was always made out to be better than he really was by UT's coaches. The joke's also on Mangini though, cuz he wasted a fifth round pick on the guy. Experts saids that after the draft, I remember. Good luck to Ainge but I was never a big fan of the guy as a player. He didn't have much passion for the game it always seemed.
pammyvol1000 writes:
Don't have time to look up right now, but would love to see his stats verses other QB's at UT.
Eric, good luck.. I wish you well.
Ironcity writes:
You guys act surprised that he is about to be cut. Someone mentioned he was always made out to be better then he was. Guess what, all of our players are made out to be better then they are. Its called coach speak. Ainge with good coaching did as good as he was capable of at UT. At the end, he lead us to a lot of victories. He played through pain. He gave it his all. I wish him well but unfortunately he really doesn't have the necessary skills to be an NFL QB. Its likely he has learned some life lessons that will do him well through the rest of his life.
murrayvol writes:
pdparker: Do you have evidence to support your theory? When a superior athlete smells out a play and jumps a route, it's got nothing to do with throwing a game. It's got everything to do w/making a bad throw.
murrayvol writes:
pammyvol: With all due respect, football is about more than stats. Statistically speaking Erik "stats" up pretty well.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
TJ- another 3000 gallon tanker just left the holler. Turning into a great sales year. Got to move it fast, though.
TommyJack writes:
PD: Holding out for the Red (draught)
BigVolinCarolina writes:
It'll be interesting to see where Ainge ends up...
Never had doubts about Ainge's physical strength, but I've always had reservations about the mental part of football for him.
volroadwarrior writes:
You can read about UTs scrimmage last night at www.tennessean.com since we can't get any news in the home town paper.
bobbarbilly writes:
I have traveled on some roads with a lot of potholes. Lost Dog South Dakota is a good for instance. Some of the roads have signs that warn drivers to steer around the potholes or deal with the results.
I think the reason that we had so many fan receptions during Erik's time behind center had to do with Coach Cutcliff avoiding some potholes.
budrhon writes:
LSU couldn't agree more.
dvols writes:
mama said if i didn't have anything nice to say then don't say anything at all......
iowavol writes:
bobbar, that's the most intelligent thing said so far regarding this article. Pdparker, WTF are you talking about, too much caffiene this morning still wearing on you to push you into this conspiracy theory? Relax man, drink another beer. The guy who's coming out of nowhere, Ratliff, is a previous Jet draft pick that has spent time in their "farm" system (which is often referred too as the freshman area). And lastly, pros don't waste 5th round draft picks on what the college pr system says about them, they do their own research.
Erik was a good college qb that made some really poor decisions with the ball. That right there will probably prevent him from being a pro qb. I wish you the best Erik and thank you for your service to the vols.
can't wait to see JC in action this year. Can't wait to get to LA where the Vols are going to run up the score on the Bruins.
volroadwarrior writes:
Ainge made some mistakes, but for the most part he played well, just ask the opponents. All QBs are subject to criticism and arm chair QBs. Goes with the territory. Fair enough.
His biggest critics are so called UT fans who don't like Fulmer, Chavis, Cutcliffe, Hamilton or the rest of the team. They probably hate their mothers. Ainge might not be a pro QB, but few make it that far anyway. I for one wish him the best in whatever he does and thank him for his contribution.
eight6five writes:
I hope he paid attention in school during his stay here for a free education. You cant stick around in the pros very long on name alone.
Orangeblood13 writes:
pd loves the clausens, all you can say lol
the mangenious has his nose up farves arse now so why should eric get a chance?
pammyvol1000 writes:
I know we all wanted to win the SEC Champ game last year but at least we made it there. Lots of sec teams would loved to have played in Atlanta.
murray: I realize it does take more than stats to be a good qb but you have to do something right along the way to get those stats. I wonder how he would have done under Clawson!
alkhall: I'm with you on JC.. I think he will surprise some folks..
BigOrangeVol writes:
I cannot believe some of you people! If someone gave you a million dollars you'd be upset because it wasn't two million. Are you really UT fans? You run our players and coaches down worse than any opposing teams fans could possibly do. It is childish, inane and despicable!
Erik gave his all and most of the time he was doing so in serious pain that limited his ability but he was going to do his best for our university, his fellow players, coaches and fans regardless. He is the third winningest QB at UT all-time. He and Peyton are the only Volunteer QB's to have a 3,000 yard season. Erik owns the UT record for attempts and completions in a season. He is third all-time in career yards and second in attempts without an interception. He has two of the Top Ten longest pass plays from scrimmage at UT. We were down 21-0 in the third against LSU in '05 and he brought us back to win 30-27. We were 1st in the East twice and 2nd in the East once. In '04 (10-3) he led us to a 13th place finish nationally, in '06 (9-4) we were 25th and last year we were 12th (10-3). Erik was 3-0 in overtime games and he threw for 365 yards in the bowl game against Wisconsin garnering the game MVP. He was an SEC All-Academic performer and never got into any trouble to embarrass the university. All he did was win, represent his school with honor and class...and this is what he gets in return; a bunch of snide immature cracks from people purporting to be UT fans. What do you people want???
I swear, if I was a national recruit and I witnessed how poorly some of you talk about our brightest stars I'd never even consider coming to UT. You negative puds should be ashamed; or better yet please amend you allegiance to another school with fans that have similar stupid and unrealistic expectations like Bama.
cdldoc#211897 writes:
BigOrangeVol,
Wow! Right on! Go get 'em, boy. But, unfortunately you will never get some of these loudmouths that hurt recruiting to STFU. Some of these fools just love to hear their own heads roar even if nothing worth hearing or saying comes out.
invisiblekid writes:
Starting to look more and more like Ainge better prepare to be a practice squad player. I'd be suprised if the Jets flat-out release Ainge given that they spent a draft choice on him. If he hasn't gotten a snap by now, chances are pretty much nil at this point. 1st and 2nd string will start seeing the majority of snaps before long. Too bad NFL Europe shut down.
Always have felt Ainge got a raw deal with injuries and some questionable coaching under Sanders. Not going to repeat my stance on the SECCG but that sword cuts in different ways on the Zenon interception. Hope Ainge finds a place in the NFL.
invisiblekid writes:
BTW, it's time for me to get back to not giving a damn about Brett Favre.
GerryOP writes:
Ainge was never the same after Notre Dame, 2004. Thanks Randy.
ULTIMATEVOLUNTEER writes:
pdparker is obviously a band member or something. erik must have not spoken to him on campus one day. he says ainge wasn't a good college qb yet the heisman trophy winner last year guided his team to 4 losses!
Ironcity writes:
BigOrangeVl nice speech and all but Ainge got bench at LSU when UT was trailing 21-0 in 2005. UT actually came back with Clausen under center. That was the game Ainge threw his worse pass of all time when he threw the pick six and got tossed into the goal post at the same time. Ainge played well for UT and played u to his capabilities here. He did get a raw deal his first two years having Sanders as his coach but he really turned it around his final two years and learned to play within himself.
I think what bothers some UT fans is that Ainge never seemed to be the difference maker some of the QB's before him were. He always seem to be at his worse when things got really hot.
andy112382#209793 writes:
Basically any QB who plays for us and doesn't win a national title is going to have people on here say he was never a good QB or doesn't know how to play. Never mind the fact that with Ainge as our QB, he took us to the SEC title game his freshman and senior seasons. Yea, horrible...
BigOrangeVol29 writes:
It always seemed like after the Notre Dame injury, Ainge seemed to be a little scared. It just felt like he should have been part of the movie "Happy Feet" because he seemed so antsy back in the pocket. I will give Ainge credit, though, when Coach Cut returned, he seemed to be a different person that was more focused than when he was the freshman superstar that said "Everyone in the stands is here to see me play." As completely flustering as the SECCG was, it seemed to me that Ainge was trying too hard to do too much, contrary to what he had done when we were winning games to get where we were. The "Brett Favre gunslinger mentality" can only take you so far, sometimes you have to use your head and until Ainge remembers that he won't be more than a practice squad guy which is sad given all the promise he had coming out of high school.
BigOrangeVol writes:
I need a wet paper towel to wipe this egg off of my face. :-)
I was thinking about that game and the comeback and forgot WHY we had to comeback! Duh.
I bet Erik didn't get to play 8 games for us when he was 100% healthy. But you just gotta rub some dirt on it and play. :-)
Going off topic (my favorite thing to do), have ya'll seen all these pics in the Internet of Jimmy Clausen? I know it's cold-blooded and not fair but Geez Louise they are funny!!!
http://www.trojannyc.com/images/2007/...
http://www.volnation.com/blog/wp-cont...
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgur...start%3D80%26ndsp%3D20%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26channel%3Ds%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26sa%3DN
http://thebiglead.com/?p=6979
http://www.everydayshouldbesaturday.c...
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=h...i=image_result&resnum=3&ct=image&cd=1
rockitwithrespect writes:
give the kid a break. how many of you people got picked in the nfl draft? best of luck to him
gobigorange writes:
Is it because the Jets dont run the dink and dunk offense?
andy112382#209793 writes:
BigOrangeVol - funny stuff, though, wish I hadn't seen that swim suit one........ick...
doctorvol#211700 writes:
appreciated Ainge. He playeed fearless as a freshman, and really helped beat Fla. Played scared after ND, frequently. All in all, negotiated some good drives in crucial situations. Made some boneheaded plays, mostly against LSU on two occasions, but tried hard. I just don't think he can make a pro with his aversion to standing in the pocket till the last second and taking a hit.
hcjournals#206623 writes:
Don't give up on Ainge yet. He has the skins and the back. He just might make it yet. I hope he does. He earned the shot....
chad_t31 writes:
Rockitwithrespect...
My sentiments exactly. I was about to ask how many ppl in here have been in an nfl training camp period. You may not like him but we recruited him, we played him, the jets drafted him. If he doesn't make it, he tried.
BillBrasky writes:
"We were down 21-0 in the third against LSU in '05 and he brought us back to win 30-27."
Actually you're an idiot. Ainge is the reason we were down 21-0 because he threw an interception while FALLING OUT OF THE BACK OF THE END ZONE. Rick Clausen came in and lead us back. Ainge was TERRIBLE in 05'. That comment alone shows you dont know poop. Ainge put up good numbers against crappy opponents. Every big game he played in he did not end up playing well, excepy maybe @Georgia in 06'......thats it..
orangebloodgmc writes:
Dude, the LSU'05 mistatement already been pointed out and BigOrange admitted his error, even though he was correct in his overall argument.
Good luck, Erik.
Volunteerfan writes:
Did Peyton win a national championship? How about Heath Shuler? How about Michael Vick? How about Jeff Francis? How about John Elway? Mo point here is that you do not have to win a national champioship to be a great QB. Ainge did have his moments of mental lapses but he also had his moments of brillance not to mention all the accolades that BigOrangeVol already stated.
jasonn1970 writes:
At least Ainge has his comedy routine to fall back on if that whole NFL thing doesn't work out.
robvols#366273 writes:
-Living in the NYC area, I can tell you he is in trouble. Ratliff, who is Ainge's main competition for the 3rd QB slot, is playing really well and had an excellent two minute drill type drive against the Redskins at the end of their pre-season game this past Saturday. While I am a UT alum and am rooting for Ainge, it is not looking too good for him at the moment.
BIGORANGEdawgHATER writes:
TEE MARTIN 4 PRESIDENT!!!!
VolAlexander writes:
Ainge (as a Freshman) to Tony Brown on 4th down against Florida in Knoxville that set up the 50 yarder by Wilhoit... For all his detractors... that was for you. Negativity breeds idiocricy.
He is gone now and you who called for Crompton now have your wish in hand. Don't jump on a guy who is going to be cut. The future is in Knoxville so why look to NY to cast your negativity.
This year in Knoxville has every hope to be very special. Concentrate your attention on that.
Erik Ainge was a good guy who did try and for the most part (excluding 2005 but who wants to think about that anyway) was very good in bringing victories home. His last note was Wisconsin not LSU and he left a winner. Go Vols and get em Erik.
UT-45
UCLA-10
RangerForSix writes:
"Ainge has not had a genuine chance with the Jets yet, that's mostly understandable!"
Let's all be honest with that statement.
When his time genuinely comes, his 6'5 1/2" frame, his personality and leadership, his gun, his brains and his vision and feet; is why he'll be a winner in the NFL.
When he gets his chance. i.e. several other teams want Ainge's abilities on their team...now.
Ainge played excellent in '04 to beat Georgia 'Between the Hedges'. 'That WIN' got U.T. back into the SEC-EC Title race, which Ainge led U.T. to. Through Florida, through Alabama, at South Carolina, through Cutcliff's Old
Miss. in Oxford. Four of those MEAT games in the SEC could have been lost. But championship teams just play on and with very good QB play, UT won the SEC-EC TITLE IN '04. Result; 10-3 season.
He was 8-3 as a starter in '06, broke Mr. Mannings passing % record. He played 'banged up' like everyone else. He was 10-4 as a starter in '07 also, AND another SEC-EC Title! Broke Mr. Mannings completions record, with some mediocre receivers at the time.(they were young) He also played banged up the entire season, like several other UT players; he is tough! I watched all the comebacks he led in his four years with U.T., I came to 'expect it' from him.
Point is; Ainge is a winner and he's tough & cleaver. That's why he only got sacked 3 times in 14 games and still had a 64% completion % and broke the completions record...very smart, very clever..."Knows pass protection begins with the Q.B.!" ('great coaching too...')
The kid just needs a chance and it's not happening right now. Farve is the man NOW, understandable for a year, 'maybe' two. It's always about "Just Win Baby!" Mr. Favre is 39 years old and 6'2", maybe. He has everything except young legs and a young arm.
To hope for a Super Bowl Win though, Ainge is the 'future at Q.B'. His skills are the likes of Mr. Peyton and Mr. Eli. He's also similar to Mr. Brady. Ainge is "THEIR SIZE"
too; a HUGE attribute with the "Modern Superbowl Champion Quarterbacks', NO, more than a huge attribute, 'but a down right necessity' and it 'can not be taught'!!
Smaller Q.B's, those under 6'4" could still win a Super Bowl, they just haven't since 2000. It's now 'very common' for defensive linemen to be 6'4" to 6'6" and have quick hands and run 4.5 40's!
It's just become too tough to throw through, over and around; unless of course you are a 6'4" to 6'6" Q.B yourself. Ainge will be fine in the NFL. A winner, just like he was at U.T...
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