Kevin O'Connell: Stay or Go?

by John B on Jan 17, 2012 9:45 AM EST

Kevin O'Connell was not supposed to be a Jet in 2011. The team was caught shorthanded at the end of preseason, though. A hand injury suffered by Greg McElroy left the team with just two quarterbacks. Fresh off a cup of coffee with Miami, the Jets turned to O'Connell seeking a cheap third quarterback who already knew the playbook.

O'Connell impressed nobody during his time with the Jets since the team acquired him in 2009. His limited preseason action produced really off target throws, showing few signs of development. The team had already cut him twice before his 2011 return. The idea was to try and turn him into a viable backup for Mark Sanchez and hopefully turn him into enough of a commodity to flip him off for a Draft pick before he hit the open market like Matt Cassel. It never happened.

There really is no spot for the pending free agent O'Connell on the roster in 2012. The Jets are likely to carry three quarterbacks. Mark Sanchez will probably be one. Greg McElroy, the youngster the team will try and develop the way O'Connell never could, will probably be another. The third will likely be somebody to push Sanchez.

I vote go. How do you vote?

Poll

Should Kevin O'Connell stay or go?

Stay

64 votes

Go

613 votes

677 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

He was a Reserve because he knew

the Playbook, if Greg doesn’t get injured

O’Connell is in the UFL

by NikolaiC on Jan 17, 2012 9:48 AM EST reply actions

I honestly didn't realize he was on the team this entire season

by J-Nasty on Jan 17, 2012 9:54 AM EST via mobile reply actions

I don't think he was active most of it, that prob explains it.

by Timmaht on Jan 17, 2012 10:03 AM EST up reply actions

Talent not required

If he works hard and is one of the 1st ones to work and one of the last ones to leave , then the Jets should keep him. Talent is not necessary.
Having training camp in Cortland will fix everything any way.

by molive4 on Jan 17, 2012 9:55 AM EST reply actions

i voted stay

not because he is good…he is not! But if you look at the REAL needs of the team and the CAP $PACE we need to work with…there is a benifit of keeping him in reserve. McElroy can push sanchez

by willmpk on Jan 17, 2012 10:05 AM EST reply actions

There is NO Benefit to Keeping Him

Come on now. You’re smarter than that. He’s absolutely worthless. I have a more accurate arm than he does. He would just be a waste of a roster spot and cap space. I’d rather draft a rookie in the 7th round or sign a UDFA QB than keep him on the roster.

A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until the voters discover that they can vote themselves largesse from the public treasury. From that moment on, the majority always votes for the candidates promising the most benefits from the public treasury with the result that a democracy always collapses over loose fiscal policy followed by a dictatorship. The average age of the world’s greatest civilizations has been 200 years." Alexander Tyler

by joeklecko on Jan 17, 2012 10:08 AM EST up reply actions

According to some articles I've read

He is an amaizing student of the game, and while he has no physical talent he is supposedly one of the best in the league at recognizing and breaking down coverage. The Jets have been using him, more as a coach than a player so for that reason I voted stay.

by ncquake24 on Jan 17, 2012 11:12 AM EST up reply actions

Then hire him as a coach.

www.ganggreennation.com

by bobdolethesnapplelady on Jan 17, 2012 11:34 AM EST up reply actions

Explains why Sanchez has improved so much breaking down coverages.

by Timmaht on Jan 17, 2012 1:10 PM EST up reply actions

+1

I know I'm human, and that's my greatest weakness. But, I never let it stop me, and that's my greatest strength. - Frank Castle

by ProfScorpio on Jan 17, 2012 1:22 PM EST up reply actions

The question really boils down to:

Are you comfortable with McElroy being our backup QB? If so, then O’Connell with be the 3rd string QB. If not, then McElroy will be the 3rd string QB and some other 40+ y/o with debt problems will be our backup. I’m pretty sure our backup QB FA list only shrinks when new obituaries come out.

by Timmaht on Jan 17, 2012 10:06 AM EST reply actions

Woody is going to employ the Peyton Manning Circus Act

so this way, Woody doesn’t have to sell 35% to his ticket brokers at discount.

McElroy will not even get a shot.

by NikolaiC on Jan 17, 2012 10:09 AM EST reply actions

Even if the plan is to go with Greggy Mac as the #2

O’Connell should still go. Use a late pick or find a UDFA QB (or both) to come into camp and let some fresh blood fight it out for #3. Maybe you find something worth keeping and developing… it’s become quite clear that KOC is not.

by J-Nasty on Jan 17, 2012 10:19 AM EST via mobile reply actions

How O'Connell could be useful

Convince him to retire and hire him as Asst. QB coach.

Seriously.

He is going nowhere as a QB. His best asset is his brain and that he can serve as a model for Sanchez on how to analyze the game. He doesn’t need to take up a roster spot to do that.

by square1 on Jan 17, 2012 11:07 AM EST via iPhone app reply actions