HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. Erik Ainge had numbers last season for the University of Tennessee that most college quarterbacks dream of.
In the weeks leading to the draft, though, the gaudy statistics werent nearly enough. It seemed everyone was quick to point out everything Ainge couldnt do. That wasnt anything new, of course. Ainge heard for years that he was nothing like former Volunteers star Peyton Manning.
I think its like that for any sport, any position, Ainge said during the New York Jets threeday rookie minicamp. If there is a great shooting guard that goes to Chicago, theyre going to compare him to Jordan, and thats a tough comparison for anybody. There wont ever be another Michael Jordan or Peyton Manning. Everybodys different and unique. Its a matter of finding out what your niche is and what youre good at and just working really hard to keep getting busy.
The Jets saw enough positives to make Ainge a fifthround pick, the ninth quarterback selected in the draft.
It surprised some, including New York, that Ainge lasted that long. After all, he threw for 3,522 yards, 31 touchdowns and just 10 interceptions last season, all while playing with a broken pinkie on his throwing hand. He also ranks third in school history behind Manning and Casey Clausen with 8,700 yards passing.
Were really excited to see what he could do, general manager Mike Tannenbaum said after the draft. Hes a tremendous worker, he has good size and can make all the throws. We thought the value in the fifth round was excellent, so we were happy to get him.
Scouts liked his 6-foot-5 frame, his presence in the huddle, passing accuracy and ability to keep mistakes to a minimum. They werent so kind with other aspects of his game, saying he was maddeningly inconsistent, isnt bulky or durable enough some said he lacked physical and mental toughness and didnt have the arm strength to be an effective NFL
starter.
Its not necessarily how hard you can throw the football, Ainge said. I think Ive got plenty of arm strength, but I dont think thats going to be the determining factor in whether I end up a good pro or not, I just dont. Some guys who have great arms arent good pros. Some guys dont and are some of the best quarterbacks who ever played. That to me isnt a deciding factor.
It wasnt to the Jets, either. Ainge is in camp as a potential backup to Chad Pennington and Kellen Clemens.
You wouldnt be in this locker room if you didnt want to play, Ainge said. If youre asking if I want to play, of course, but thats not what its about. Im not necessarily competing with Chad and Kellen right now. Im competing with myself. Im just coming out here and theyre going to tell me what I need to do, and if I do that better, then Im getting better as a football player.
Ainge has the poise in the locker room of a seasoned veteran, clearly a result of dealing with the pressure of playing in Knoxville. The nephew of former Boston star and current Celtics executive Danny Ainge, was a big recruit for the Volunteers after being Oregons player of the year as a high school senior. Ainge started six games as a freshman at Tennessee before injuring his shoulder.
