Ainge is OK as 'super No. 3 quarterback'

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. - When the New York Jets selected Erik Ainge in the fifth round of the 2008 NFL draft, Brett Favre and Mark Sanchez did not rule the back pages of New York papers yet.

The Jets were becoming increasingly impatient with quarterback Chad Pennington's throwing ability and Kellen Clemens,who was drafted in 2006, was keeping the bench warm as another viable arm.

Coming off a respectable four-year career at the University of Tennessee, Ainge, who helped the Vols to two bowl games and came close to breaking Peyton Manning's passing records as a freshman, went from the sights of howling fans in the SEC on Saturday to relative anonymity in the NFL in no time.

It's not an ideal situation for Ainge. To go from Rocky Top to third string behind Sanchez, who is playing far beyond his years in just two callow weeks of play, doesn't seem to bother Ainge all that much.

"Mark's a really good guy. He keeps it light and keeps it fun," Ainge said. "There is a lot of competition between us. We all root for each other when the other's in there. (Kellen and I) are his biggest fans."

With the Titans playing in New York today, Ainge has no Tennessee connections with anyone on their roster.

"It's just game three and they are team X to me," he said. "I wouldn't say that there is anymore invested in them than any other team."

Before Sanchez was calling shots, there was Favre, who managed to help Ainge settle into the NFL style of play. Over the course of Favre's dramatic year in New York, Ainge learned that the style of play in college and the NFL really isn't much different.

"Playing in the SEC is like playing in a mini-NFL," Ainge said. "I thought it would be a crazy new game, but it's still football, guys are still open and I still have to throw. I was able to see that from Brett. When it was game time, he went out there and played football. It gave me confidence watching him."

Unfortunately for Ainge, that confidence had to wait until the 2009 season. Nursing a foot injury that kept him on the injured reserve and out for most of the 2008 season, Ainge was suspended four games by the NFL for violating the league's policy on steroids and related substances.

Without getting too much into that situation, Ainge said he didn't feel the need to answer critics because of that incident. Instead, he wanted to answer everyone.

"I didn't get a chance to do anything in the public eye on the field," he said. "I don't want to say I had a chip on my shoulder, but I did have something to provide this preseason. Even to myself, that I'm here for a reason and that I can play this game."

During the 2009 preseason, aside from a few clutch passes by Sanchez, Ainge garnered the most attention from the quarterback position. In the preseason opener against St. Louis, he was 10-for-18 for 148 yards and threw a 50-yard play-action touchdown pass to receiver David Clowney.

In the second game against Baltimore, Ainge led an 18-play drive and scored on a 1-yard keeper with 22 seconds left. His game-winning two-point pass intended for Marcus Henry was tipped away by Larderius Webb.

In the preseason finale against Philadelphia, a game where fans were more concerned about seeing Michael Vick in his second game back in the league, Ainge threw a 73-yard catch-and-run pass to Clowney and the Jets won, 38-27.

After that, the New York media started questioning new Jets coach Rex Ryan about the No. 2 quarterback spot.

"We have a super No. 3 quarterback," Ryan told the Jets' media relations' staff. "That's what he's shown me. Could he be a No. 2 or a starter in this league? Probably. When we ended up drafting Sanchez, I never thought we could split the reps three ways. Is it fair to him? All he does is go out and play.

"Will he get a chance one day to be the starting quarterback of the Jets? He may. Joe Flacco went into the second-to-last preseason game (for the Ravens last year) as the No. 3 quarterback and the rest is history."

Ainge was equally as pleased with his performance.

"It was fun," he said. "It was good for me and my teammates and coaches to have the confidence in me."

While Ainge was busy settling into his role in New York, the action in Tennessee was just heating up. Phillip Fulmer was forced out and Lane Kiffin stepped in. Although Ainge only watches UT games in bits and pieces because of his hectic schedule, he has spoken with Fulmer on a couple of occasions recently.

Football comes up, but usually they talk about family and their personal lives. As for Kiffin, they've said hello in passing and Ainge is convinced he can lead Tennessee in the right direction.

"Coach Fulmer was my guy," Ainge said. "He helped me get to where I am today and is a major reason in why I signed there. I do have a lot of confidence in Lane and I'm sure they'll put out (on top)."

Ainge feels the same way about his pro career.

"I'm not saying there is anything wrong with being a second or third string quarterback in the NFL. It's a great gig. I understand my role, but that doesn't mean I don't want to be out there playing. Playing this game is what I want to do."

Chris R. Vaccaro is a freelance contributor.

© 2009, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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