http://www.boston.com/sports/football/articles/2008/07/20/still_set_on_leading_jets/ Still set on leading Jets Pennington not ready to hand off to Clemens By Mike Reiss, Globe Staff | July 20, 2008 When his playing career is over, Chad Pennington isn't planning to put his journalism degree from Marshall University to good use. He might consider coaching high school football - he's a "Friday Night Lights" guy - and the way he worked the room at Randy Moss's recent charity golf tournament in Charleston, W.Va., a career in politics seems like a natural fit, too. But for now, Pennington has more pressing concerns, first and foremost saving his job as starting quarterback with the New York Jets. Spend a few minutes chatting up Pennington and it's easy to appreciate how he's approaching this latest chapter in his career. At 32, he's smart enough to realize that if the plans of general manager Mike Tannenbaum and coach Eric Mangini unfold as they hope, Pennington will be watching from the sideline this season, replaced by 2006 second-round draft pick Kellen Clemens. While the Jets have termed the Pennington/Clemens competition open - the team split first-team repetitions 50-50 in the offseason - Pennington knows that "even" won't be good enough to retain the job. He'll need to outperform Clemens, a player the Jets obviously want to see succeed after selecting him as the quarterback of the future (49th overall). "Competition isn't anything new for me, and this is one of those things that Coach Mangini feels is necessary, so I have to react accordingly and react like a professional should," Pennington said, pointing out that he was in a similar situation in 2006 with Patrick Ramsey, Brooks Bollinger, and Clemens. "It's certainly competitive, it's intense, but at the same time it's professional." Pennington feels he's had one of his best offseasons. He said he underwent a thorough self-analysis and breakdown of his mechanics in hopes of gaining more consistency with his passing velocity, which has long been a knock on his game. He added that his throwing shoulder, also a frequent topic of discussion since he underwent multiple surgeries before winning the Comeback Player of the Year award in 2006, feels strong. Primarily because he's gone wire to wire as a starter only once in his career, arm strength and durability often dominate the discussion when it comes to Pennington. Yet not to be overlooked is his intelligence, accuracy (65.6 percent career passer), and command of the huddle, three other key attributes for any signal-caller. Pennington's leadership is also evident in how he has interacted with Clemens, avoiding the awkwardness that can come when two players are competing for one high-profile job. "It can be a distraction and tough to deal with if you don't know how to handle it as professionals," Pennington said. "With me being the veteran, I feel like I have to set the example. You can't let the criticisms or the comparisons get between our relationship, while at the same time I have to do everything I can to better myself. "If Kellen asks me a question or wants to know my opinion on something, I'm truthful with him and give him the best opinion I can. That's what professionalism is all about. My goal is to never fall into immature games where you're getting emotional about it and not handling the situation right. I always try to be a professional and you let the chips fall where they may." One aspect potentially working in Pennington's favor is the Jets' aggressive offseason approach. While recent history indicates that teams can flirt with trouble by spending big money on the 30-year-old circuit in free agency and in trade acquisitions, the Jets opened the vault to beef up at the line of scrimmage with perennial Pro Bowl guard Alan Faneca (31), right tackle Damien Woody (30), and nose tackle Kris Jenkins (29 in August). In that case, is the team willing to live with some of the on-the-job growing pains that would inevitably come with Clemens under center? Or is Pennington, a proven leader and the centerpiece of the all-important communication that must take place on the field, the better match? The Jets have their first training camp practice Thursday, which will mark the first step in providing some answers.
So tired about hearing how our offseason makes us win now...you're always trying to win now...that doesn't mean this team can't and won't be better after '08...
Ive been sick of hearing about that since the second we signed Faneca. Thats just the media trying to put a spin on things. What they don't acknowledge is that we are still(by average age) one of the 5 youngest teams in the NFL. It only made since to bring in some outstanding veterans to round out the roster..for now...and to help mold the younger players for the future. But the natiuonal media will keep putting this spin on things fo future stories. So that they can claim Tangini is on the hotseat...
Penny is the comeback kid. He can lead us to the promise land with this talent this season. But if clemens beats him out its Clemens time to shine and im cool with that too.
I've re-read the article several times and cannot find where it says that what we've done in our offseason makes us a "win now" team. That being said, I also disagree with anyone who promulgates that. We merely filled holes. We did nothing extraordinary to make us a "win now" team, IMO. Yes, we filled those holes with some quality people. Yes, we spent some significant money. Yes, it appears that the team is improved. But no, I don't see us as a "win now" franchise. We don't have the QB in place, we don't have a TO-type, Randy Moss-like game-breaking WR, we don't even have an outstanding RB who you can hang your hat on. Our O-line is unproven. Our D-line is unproven. Our pass rush is non-existant until proven otherwise. We're still shaping our DBs and our kicking game is still questionable (Punting? Can Nugent kick the TB when needed?). These are all things a "win now" team has before they are declared a "win now" team. I don't know where all this Win Now shit even comes from, but like I say, I can't even find it in this article.
Thats what it really comes down to. It doesn't matter who the fans want behind center. As long as either of them can just win the games the complaining will go away. Winning solves most problems in sports. As long as the QB isn't the one making the late game mistakes, I am a happy guy. I'd be happier if no one made mistakes, but this are the Jets we are talking about.
And QB is our biggest question mark. With our schedule I can see QB play making the difference between 12-4 and 4-12 or anywhere in between. With a solid QB I can see the jets winning 12 games and with poor QB we could lose that many.
The one thing in the article that is a big concern is that as an intellingent QB it took him so many years to figure out that his mechanics had something to do with his poor velocity. You could see how he always used to throw off his back foot. A big no for someone who doesn't have a strong arm. Why didn't he use some of that intelligence to figure that out in his second year? And what about the coaches, nobody ever noticed it until now?
His mechanics have been fine and he has changed things here and there through the years but w/ the shoulder problems he has had to tweak it again. I do not recall Chad throwing off his back foot while watching him and that's soemthing that would easily stick out if he was doing it.
Ha! I wouldn't bet against Chad being behind Mangold. If Clemens beats him out thats fair enough and what I am hoping for but Chad has the smarts to win the job. Roll on Thursday.
I just do not understand why people aren't rooting for both QBs? Why aren't we all rooting for both to do well to ensure we'll have a good season? it boggles my mind how quickly fans forget all that Chad has done for us but putting that aside the least these people could do is root for both players to do well to help the team.
really it's a win-win for us. penny = good game and ball skills, solid dink and dunk, great play action, few mistakes when given time, penny can win games. clemens = young gun who can spread the field and get the ball downtown. will make a few more bonehead plays along he way. but clemens can win games too. totally different styles, but still a win win.
I am absolutely not rooting for Chad, and as far as not understanding why, I assume you have had the chance to hear that explained by those who feel he is finished, and either choose to not understand them, or have some comprehension problem. Chad hasn't done shite for us. He's a mediocre player who is getting older by the minute, and under the best of circumstances throws like a 12 year old girl. Why root for him?
How about the option of not agreeing? Oh no. Because it seems if someone disagrees and think Chad can do it has a "Comprehension Problem". Wow....so much for someone having their own opinion. You want to hate on him Fine, go ahead but don't insult someone because they have a different opinion.
The Patriots would love nothing more than to see Chad trotting out behind center for the New York Jets this year. Beli and Parcells must be laughing at the possibility of facing the Jets twice a year with Noodle at QB. On a brighter note we should have a decent enough draft pick to be able to trade up for the best Qb coming out in the draft or at least get to see Ainge take some Reps this year. Anything less than Kellen Clemens on opening day is a total disaster for this team!
He was referring to junc not understanding why people wouldn't root for pennington. He wasn't attacking people who did.
At this point Im trying to understand how anyone who watches football can root for Pennington? It is beyond a Joke. Parcells just unloaded Jason Taylor who is wayyyyyyyyyyyyy better than Chad at this point in the game because he realized they are rebuilding and got a # 2 while he could. We sit here as fans and glorify a mediocre Qb and the Phins do the right thing in trading a future HOF defensive lineman to make their team better for the future. This Chad thing is disgusting to watch. The Dolphins will get to the AFC Championship before our team if Chad starts for us this season!!!
I do read that but if that's the case then why does he feel there's a comprehension problem because JUNC chooses to have a certain opinion of Chad? Wait, Did I just defend Junc!? Shit ...abort...abort.... CTRL+ALT+DEL CTRL+ALT+DEL CTRL+ALT+DEL
