Pennington places team ahead of self ? to his detriment By Mike Florio - SportingNews 14 minutes ago With the New York Jets giving millions to players who have done nothing for the franchise and poised to commit millions more to veteran receiver Laveranues Coles after he complained publicly (and relentlessly) about his contract, there?s another Jet with a recognizable name who has inexplicably been silent during the team?s otherwise high-noise offseason. The household name is quarterback Chad Pennington, who is due $6 million this year. It?s all base salary. So the team holds all the cards. Jets officials can keep Pennington around through the offseason and training camp and the preseason as insurance against a serious injury to and/or the significant ineffectiveness of third-year quarterback Kellen Clemens. Once the season is ready to roll and the other 31 NFL teams are set at quarterback, the Jets can give Pennington a ?take a pay cut or take a hike? ultimatum to dramatically drive down his salary and his cap number. ADVERTISEMENT If the Jets cut Pennington in late August or early September, they?ll pick up $6 million in 2008 cap space and will owe him nothing. He then would be an unrestricted free agent, hoping to land with a team that wouldn?t have had the benefit of getting him up to speed with its system, coaching staff and personnel during the preseason. Think Byron Leftwich, circa Labor Day Weekend 2007. Suddenly dumped by the Jacksonville Jaguars, Leftwich eventually landed in Atlanta, where he had to learn the Falcons? offense on the fly. It didn?t work, and he got cut after the season. Now he doesn?t have a job. It would have been much different for Leftwich if he?d been cut or traded in March or April, and it likewise would be far different for Pennington if he were moved now. To his credit, Pennington isn?t crowing about his perilous situation. And that?s quite a contrast to Chad Johnson, who is telling anyone and everyone that he wants to leave the Cincinnati Bengals. Unlike Johnson, Pennington is keeping his head low and his mouth shut. ?I don?t know what the organization?s stance is, and I?m not really concerned about it,? Pennington said after the Jets wrapped up the 2007 season. ?I know whatever happens something good will happen for me.? It?s an amazing perspective. In an era when guys like Coles and ex-Jet Pete Kendall have realized the benefits of becoming a big, fat splinter in the franchise?s foot, Pennington hasn?t forced the issue. On one hand, it?s odd that any pro athlete would behave this way. On the other hand, it?s refreshing. Pennington has a contract and is respecting that contract. Sure, the Jets can string him along for the entire offseason. Yeah, he?d make more money and have a better chance to start if he were traded to, say, any of the four teams in the NFC North. Pennington is choosing not to grandstand or posture or politick. It?s a rare attitude for a modern NFL player, many of whom understandably put their self interests ahead of the team. And it?s not necessarily the wisest business approach for Pennington, who turns 32 on June 26. Maybe Pennington knows he still has plenty of years left and if he takes the high road in the short term, he?ll rack up enough pigskin karma to extend his career for five or six more seasons. Then again, Leftwich took the high road last year. And he basically is out of the league at age 28. Mike Florio writes and edits ProFootballTalk.com and is a frequent contributor to Sporting News.
I was just talking to my buddy about this morning. Chad is a great guy. Great, great guy. Whether he's a great quarterback is arguable as we've seen here on TGG. But you can't take away from the fact that the guy is a class act. I was just saying how in my opinion, Chad has done nothing but looked for an opportunity to play and start then go chase after the money. Now, whether he's ever had stable CONSISTENT years that put him in a position to negotiate dollar bills, that's left to question. But so far he's taken everything the FO & Jets fans have thrown at him in stride and something can be said about that kinda players in today's league.
I say fire our QB coach and hire Chad hes got the smarts he just dont have the arm anymore. I dont know why we have a former Patriots WR coach as ours as it is.
Just another example of the class of Chad. it boggles my mind how he is bashed non-stop on this board after all he has done for this organization.
Difference between Head coach and a position coach is huge, especially when he was a position coach other then what he is now for so many years. Look at Jason Garrett for the hated cowboys he was a QB moved over to Offensive Coordinator much harder then a position coach as well and hes doing a good job. I think Chad has more football knowledge then him
This board seems to be happier with the way Coles treats this organization than how Pennington 'serves' it... Talk about performance, our no.1 WR had almost half the production than our No.2 WR.
yeah chad really is all class. but that being said i would like to see him take a pay cut if kellen beats him out in training camp.
^ to be fair injuries played a major role in that occurrence. coles is faster tougher runs better routes better hands. Better moves . Its not really close when the two are healthy .
Thats whats up to debate it seems the fans feel 50/50 for that. I wonder how much faith the coaches have. Wont know that till opening day
I think you're comparing Coles and CP. If so, Coles has had only 3 1,000 yds season. One of them with Redskins. Coles is good, tough, good hands. But he has lost his touch. He is getting old like anyone else. QBs dont have to run around to maintain a high speed behind the center. They can play for a longer time than a WR, generally. With a few exceptions, WRs dont last longer than 35 and still be productive. But, Coles still has about 2 more yrs left for good production. I wouldnt give him an extention unless theres no guarantee involved. In that case, we can even trade him and get like a 5th or even 4th rounder after couple of yrs. If healthy, Coles is good. Same with CP.
Its very simple. I like Chad as a guy. You could not ask for a more classy person. I just would love a classy guy who can throw a damn football more then 10 yards witha little zip on it. The fact is football is a bussiness. Its not a well you did good last time type of thing, but what have you done for me lately. Lately, all Chad has done is find a way to trow to the wrong team in several games that were close late. He may, or may not, be our best option, but still is mediocre at best.
Lately was last year and just one year. Other than '06 when he's been relatively healthy he's led us to the playoffs each year. I don't get how you throw a player away after 1 bad year after all the wins he has led us to.
Chad's a pros pro and I've always thought that about him. He realizes there's no point is complaining in order to make a couple million more a year because he makes so much more than everybody else on this planet. I want him to stay around here and show Kellen how to act like a professional.
There is quite a difference between Chad the person, and Chad's ability on the field. No one bashes Chad the person. But many realize that he is washed up as a QB. It's just the truth. Kepping a player past his playing days just because he is a good guy is not smart football. He is among my favorite Jets as a person and team player, but among the least favorite as a player on the field. They are just separate issues.
Say it again junc. As much as I loved Ken O'Brien only one QB sits alongside my signed Joe Namath picture- Chad Pennington! True class in a "how can I get a few more bucks NFL".
Because his arm is shot. It's not just one bad season, Chad just can't perform as a starter any longer. I've always liked Chad, but it was painfully obvious after watching him last season that 2 major surgeries have taken their toll on his shoulder.
there is absolutely no doubt that chad will regain his starting job. both qb's will play better behind our new line, but chad will blow the competition away. face it, the jets are now a running team that needs a field general with a good play action pass. check please.
