Where’s Next For Chad?
Miami Dolphins Quarterback Chad Pennington has stated that he doesn’t know where the future will take him, but he’s open to the idea of coming back to the league.
The Miami Dolphins quarterback has completed the first phase of rehabilitation from season-ending shoulder surgery, and he’ll fly Wednesday to Birmingham, Ala., to consult with Dr. James Andrews, who performed the operation Oct. 2. They’ll map out a program for the next six weeks, and Pennington said he may wait until March to decide whether to play in 2010.
“I can’t make the decision until I get to the point where I see how I feel and how it responds,” Pennington said at a Dolphins luncheon. “Then I can say I’ve given it everything I can give it to make the right decision for me and my family.
I know a place I’d like him to play … I’d love to see him come back to New York and back up and tutor Sanchez.
Although I think it’s a very unlikely scenario, considering the way Woody and Tannenbaum drummed him out of town in the summer of 2008 and all but had a ticker tape parade for His Favreness. It would take a big man to come back to that same management, but Pennington has always been, if nothing else, a class act. Sanchez has made it clear that he wants to increase his accuracy, and who better to help him do it than the very guy who owns the completion percentage for the league, all time?
Of course, this doesn’t factor into what the team thinks about their own young stable of QBs. At this point though, it’s hard to tell what they really think of their backups. The team will likely release Kellen Clemens this coming offseason, and I don’t know how much confidence Ryan has in Ainge, or even Kevin O’Connell for that matter. It would seem to me that adding a veteran presence in the QBs room would be the right call for the team this coming offseason.
Also, I would imagine though that Pennington still thinks he can start, and coming to New York is basically a guarantee that he’d never play.
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Bassett, isn’t Clemens a free agent after this season anyway? You said release him, and I just want to make sure we don’t have this guy eating up a roster spot for another season.
RFA if there’s no cap, like Leon.
Ah, ok, thanks. Forgot about the CBA being non existent next year.
In the full article there reads a portion which I took as an indirect shot at the Jets, meaning he would not be coming back here. Maybe i read too much into things but here is that portion for you guys to decide…..
“Part of me believes I’m here for a reason,” Pennington said. “I’m a loyal guy and I believe in this organization, and I enjoy this organization and this area.
Ain’t gonna happen, getting Chad back to New York. I am sure he savors the good moments on the team, but his answer to that was taking the Fins to the playoffs, while Tanngenius struggled on with Favre’s equally bad shoulder (which, by the way, is due for a return about now). Best thing for Chad would be to rehab himself into shape, but then sit out the pre-season and the early games, and then sign with a playoff contender that has lost its QB to injury. Always happens, and Chad might be best in a five game schedule. Backing up Sanchez? Not worth it for either side. Our risk is that Sanchez needs about three to four years to break into the league. But Pennington can’t change that, and we would do well to keep Clemens in reserve. Not muffed extra points so far, either.
I wouldn’t say, “Woody and Tannenbaum drummed him [Pennington] out of town.”
They cut him as early as possible given the circumstances to allow him to find a home which then happened to be division rival Miami.
I think we treated him well enough.
No way does he return; too many burned bridges. But, I agree he would make the perfect tutor for Sanchez.
Actually they had to release him as soon as Favre arrived because it was the only way to get under the cap.
Never say never….give him a boat load of money and he’d find a way to forget the past. Not that I’m saying there’s anything wrong with that – I just think in order to come back to the team that “dumped” him, they’d have to show they wanted and respected him – double the going rate for a backup QB should do just that.
i love that idea i cant think of anyone other then peyton and brady that i rather have to mentor sanchez. chad was one of the smartest qbs i ever saw he just didnt have the tools that some of the other qbs have
I give this about a 1% chance of happening. As classy as Chad is, he’s going to want to start, and he’s also not going to want to come be a backup for the team that got rid of him just 2 years earlier.
Chad has a bright future as a coach, if he wants to follow in his old man’s footsteps.
If I were a gambling man, I’d say he’s taken his last snap as a pro.
Chad would be the ideal teacher for Sanchez but this has to be Mark’s locker room now. I wonder if bringing in Chad could disrupt that QB1 leadership role.
i think the only way he comes back would be in a coaching role.
that may be the best thing for both sides. he is not going to make more than the vets minimum from any team. at this point, the risk of injury is simply too high. but he could still earn a great living as a coach.
there is no doubt in my mind that chad loved sticking it to the jets last year. i enjoyed it as well (once we were eliminated). but he, more than anyone, understands this is a business. because of that, i wouldnt say that all bridges were burnt
agree with Brendon – highly, highly unlikely. Why would he come back to be a backup? It’s not like he needs the money and he will have plenty of opportunities after football to earn a living.
Good call brian311. A coach. But whos going to teach Sanchez how to throw the ball long?
I would not mind bringing him back, but my guess is he will be the starting QB for the Cleveland Browns next year.
So how exactly did Chad learn to be such an accurate passer? Say what you want about Paul “Can’t” Hackett, but there is no disputing he knows how to teach QBs. the proper technique.
I’m just saying….
I think a vet would be good for Mark, but only if the vet knows his role. Chad would want to start. Good call by Jason because Chad would be the perfect guy for Quinn to learn from, even if Chad starts for awhile. They both have suspect arms and have to rely on horizontal accuracy to spread the field rather than verticality.
I think Chad could have success as a QB’s coach
I just hope he can use that arm in his later years. Knowing Chad maybe he will win Come back player of the year again.
Always will have respect and admiration for Chad Pennington. He will never lead a team to a SB but his presence alone will make any team better off with him than without him
Zero chance for Chad to play for the JETS. While some here say he was treated fairly and cut to give him a chance to latch on to another team – the FACT is that he was dumped for Favre. No other way to spin it…
It is a shame Chad deserved better
Oh what the heck…. Class act but I do not want him unless he is a QB coach only.
I will say this, after all the tweaking to his “Bionic Arm” Chad should be tossing the long ball from the end-zone to China by now!
“Da-na-na-na-na-na”!!
However since that has not happened yet I think Chad better change his HMO coverage and get better doctors!
[...] thejetsblog.com. Please read the complete article and let us know what you think [...]
Chad back to the Jets has disater written all over it. Have you seent he reactiob from fans when Sanchez makes a mistake??
Just imagine that 100X worse if Chad “Franchise” was on the bench
No Thank You
Unless anyone read the article. It seems that Pennington knows and is content in returning as a backup in the league and sees that his days as a starter are over. He knows this now, hopefully you guys know this also.
I would love to see Chad back in NY. He could help Sanchez mature. Chad is brainy and might be able to pass on his knowledge to Sanchez. Plus, if Sanchez gets hurt, we’d have a legitimate back up.
As long as we are talking QB’s, I have an opinion that I would like to mention. I think Erik Ainge should have been our QB, this season. He was more prepared to handle this season than Sanchez. He looked poised, in the pre-season. He is a big guy who sees the field real well and has a gun for an arm. I was watching him during practice, prior to the Jag game, and Sanchez was standing next to him. Ainge looked like his big brother. Ainge was throwing ropes all over the field and Sanchez was just getting the ball there. I know that, unless both Sanchez and Clemens go down, we will not see Ainge but, I think Ainge could be the real deal. This is not to say that Sanchez will not be a winning QB but, once again, I think Ainge could have done a better job this year and, when he does get the chance, he will become a star. Only time will tell, if I know what I am talking about or not.
Zero chance clemens goes if there is no CBA. For little we can tender him enough to get a second round pick for him (that was when he was chosen). No way someone pays him a lot and gives up that high a pick.
He knows the system, is a good soldier, and probably would do better than anyone we could get.
I have no idea Bassett wrote this.
harlan
Harvlis:
This is the main reason I felt soo digusted why Tannenbaum gave Mangini five players for Franchez. Then the fans screamed that Tannenbaum had fleeced Mangini. It is an absolute disgrace that the team is goin to completely waste this guy and NO ONE (except you and I now) says anything about it.
This is what happens when you are DRUNK with green KOOLAIDE !!
I have said from the first day we drafted (against all popular opinion, still of course) that Ainge is the best prospect with the most upside.
Even before Farve , I suggested to Start Pennington, if he doesn’t win right away, go to Clemens, then Give the ball to Ainge.
I commend you for you courage to support some one other than Fanchez the FANS HERO !!!
And you would think the media would have the guts to call this out !!!!
Hank,
Once the team made the trade for this high draft pick, any logical QB competition was not going to happen. They forced a young, unprepared athlete into a situation that eventually got the better of him. Sanchez could become a very good QB but, he should have been learning under Ainge this year.
I say Ainge and not Clemens because, Clemens has shown nothing that has impressed me — in practice or in pre-season. Ainge, on the otherhand, has a rifle of an arm, pro size, and has shown some poise and ability in pre-season.
One of the reasons that Ainge has not had a chance is Brian Schottenheimer. If you read my posts, you know I can’t stand this guy. He has misused so many players. I can go on and on but, sometimes, if it smells like dogcrap, and it looks like dogcrap, and it coaches like dogcrap…
The Jets thought Rich Kotite was the next coming. Someone in upper management feels the same way about Schotzy. Why, I have no idea. Obviously, Woody is snorting the baby powder.
A team with all this talent shouldn’t have to throw the season away because they want to get a rookie some experience. You only do this when you are rebuilding. The screwed up media wouldn’t be intelligent enough to discuss this. They are too concerned about Rex crying.
this would be the best thing to happen for the Jets in regards to Sanchez’ development.
There are few QB’s more respectful and helpful to young players trying to make it in this league
obviously Sanchez has little to get advice from the other 3 QBs sitting on the bench
Harvlis
I cant say I agree with the whole benching Mark Sanchez for KC or Eric Ainge.
Mark Sanchez was already a better QB than Eric Ainge as a sophmore than when Ainge was a senior.
We all got douped. The kid played exceptional in the first 3 games, but the league got some film on him, and they are taking away looks that he was successful with in the first month.
Make no mistake though, Sanchez is our guy. He makes bad rookie decisions, he drills a ball when he should put touch on it, or he lofts it up when he should sling it down the field. He is learning how certain routes have to be thrown in the NFL as opposed to college. Its all part of the learning process.
The Jets would have probably won 2 games this year if KC or Ainge was in there. We lost NOTHING by starting Sanchez.
THe kid is getting killed right now in the media, but Matt Ryan and Flacco both stepped into playoff caliber teams (Falcons were 4-12 but the year before went to the playoffs with Mike Vick, plus they added M Turner who led the league in rushing).The Jets went 9-7 with a legend at QB, who BTW is destroying the league right now.
Going foward, the future is actually BRIGHT for this team and Mark Sanchez
I don’t think Chad returning to the Jets makes much sense for anyone. I really don’t think he can, or should, play anymore with an arm barely attached to his body. And, while I think he’s a great character guy and would be a benefit to any organization, I don’t think he’s the right guy to mentor Sanchez. They really have very different skill sets. Sanchez is much more of a rollout QB, who throws well on the run, has a much quicker motion and release and is naturally more aggressive. And while that aggressiveness is backfiring a bit now and needs to be contained some, trying to turn him into Chad Pennington would be a mistake. What’s Fran Tarkenton doing these days?
What Chad will want to do will be predicated on the shape of his shoulder. If it comes back strong, yeah, he’ll want to start somewhere. If it’s OK, but raggedy, he may well bite for a BUQB job in the NFL. That’s where Tanny needs to throw what money he can at Chad — as a BU. If there is anything Mark has cried out for, is that vet presence who could help mold and shape him, and basically, slap him upside the head every time he shows his dopey 23-yr.-old brain working. Chad could coach anyone.
In fact Chad is the kind of guy REX has needed to stand next to him during games. Someone who sees the whole game, the whole field and knows all the angles.
I wonder… when Chad becomes an NFL coach finally, do you think he’ll win a SB before Rex does?
Its one thing to look good in the second half of preseason games, playing against 3rd stringers, practice squad players, and soon to be cut defensive players. Its another thing entirely to lead comeback drives in the 4th quarter as a rookie quarterback in the NFL, which Sanchez has done now multiple times. . . albeit only to be dissolved by a defense which falls apart in crunch time- but that is another story.
Don’t get me wrong, I know the kid has made some mistakes- which have hurt and been costly at times. But to think that Ainge should be starting is straight up ridiculous.
Chad would help Sanchez, without a doubt. But Chad would be an asset to any young QB in the NFL and I believe he will seek other options then to return a team who’s front office kicked him to the curb.
Harvlis – I can see why you are impressed with Ainge, but I find it hard to endorse him as an NFL starter having seen how erratic he was in college most of the time. Mind you, I never thought Sanchez could start as a rookie either.
Bent:
Your comments @ 5:07 am are confusing to say the least.
Please plainspeak.Do you think Ainge should’ve been given a shot befor the Jets spent five guys on Franchez?
Harvlis:
Of course QB comp was over once they they made the trade. Any one would have to be illusional to think TannWoody was not going to start “The Franchz” after the trade to jump to #5 and the huge PR campaign.
And I also agree it would’ve been Ainge and not Clemens ultimately going forward but Clemens at the time was anointed by the Media as the winner of the QB competion.
I felt that he had already shown his deficiencies the year prior, but given all the talk about having a bad supporting cast (bad OL, injured #1 WR) and that he looked better than Chad, better arm etc, etc that I knew there would be no way he would not be given a shot !!!
As far as Ainge, I see this kid with lots of upside, specially one which is head over the rest(pun intended) of the QB’s, and that is he has excellent pocket presence.
Also, is the Vols #2 all time leader with 136 pass completions with out an INT. Better than Manning.
firstly, as you know, I didn’t like the trade (although they gave up a bunch of easily replaceable pieces, so you need to get over the five for one thing IMO).
Anyway, I agree he deserved a shot, but was just saying that I didn’t like his chances of becoming an NFL starter, based on his college career, which I saw a lot of and assume you didn’t.
His stats might look good compared to Manning, but the program was a lot more successful under Peyton, who was relied on to do so much more. Ainge had a decent final year, but over the course of his career, he disappeared in the clutch or had an inconsistent performance in a big game too much for my liking.
That doesn’t mean he can’t be a great NFL QB (his college career was probably better than Tom Brady’s for example). I was just saying, that’s all…
Bent,
I watch Sanchez and I see immaturity. I see a young QB who has a rough time spotting the open receiver. A guy who forces the ball into the play call, rather than finding a second or third option, which might be wide open. I can go on and on but, with Sanchez, it comes down to experience. This is not to say that Ainge had alot more experience than Sanchez but, I think he would have been more prepared to start for the Jets this season, having learned the system for a year. In addition, I think that there is a good chance that Ainge might make a very good pro QB. I see him throwing ropes during the pregame and I imagine what things might be, if he was throwing to our current group of receivers. One day, we are going to find out.
Harvlis,
One major point you skipped over that distinguishes the two. Ainge’s Lurch-like lumbering speed while Sanchez is very mobile.
Harvlis:
You missed two critical points with Franchez, he locks on too often to receivers, and looks to run or releases too quick at the first sign of pressure.
An that is a huge part Ainge skill set that separtes him form Franchez.
Ainge has the pocket presence that makes him a classic pocket QB. Very, Very difficult to teach that to a ROOK QB. Major Major difference.
Hank,
Sanchez runs too often? The majority of his INT’s have been thrown when he had wide open field in front of him. He forced a throw instead of running for easy yardage. If anything, he moves around behind the line of scrimmage a lot, but it’s not to take off it’s to buy himself time to find a receiver. He’s gotten better at not forcing throws though, and throws it out of bounds rather than forcing it. A lot of his runs have been designed QB draws, utilizing his athleticism.
I would drop Kellen in a second to have Chad come back and just teach Sanchez. Why not hire him as QB coach, the guy’s gotta know he has thrown his last pass.
Right?
I think Chad as a backup/ QB coach is perfect for him and sanchez, cuz he is smart and knows how to be a professional Qb something sanchez needs with this terrible interviews and eating hot dogs during the game.
I’ll just reiterate my comments above that MS has such a different skill set that Chad wouldn’t make a good mentor for him.
I was wary of the trade up for MS, but not because I thought he couldn’t be good. I just thought he hadn’t had enough college starts to make it worth the risk. if anything, he’s assuaged my concerns somewhat with his play but he’s still a young, green rookie and plays like one at times. He needs experience. We got him, we have to play him.
I don’t know how anyone can say one way or the other whether Ainge can be a good pro starter after watching a few preseason quarters against bench players. I like his height and he throws a nice smooth deep ball, but I barely saw him throw anything else in those appearances. I also never saw him respond to real pressure. I can only assume that if the team who worked with him for a year moved up to draft MS, and then picked up O’Connell, they cannot be too confident in him as a starter. Maybe that could change, maybe it had something to do with his banned substance suspension, who knows?
I do think that, since this is the direction that was taken, you have to let Sanchez play and learn. If he turns into Drew Brees in a couple of years no one will remember his shaky rookie moments.
At least we didn’t gut the team and sell out the future for Jay Cutler. Has anyone ever seen a more clear Jeff George reincarnation?
Brendan;
subwayfare has it right. It’s NOT Chad that MS needs, it’s Tarkenton. Sanchez runs (mostly to his right) to make a play which is okay. I believe that is his favorite play. That is not the point.
He is also too quick (hears steps?) to get out of the pocket, and or releases the ball too quickly. I believe that is also a major part of having “happy feet”
Scroll to the top Hank I think it’ll never happen to begin with, nor do I want it to.
I was joking about Tarkenton, but in spite of his reputation for running out of the pocket, I believe he remains in the top 5 for yards and TDs some 30 years later. Sanchez could have worse teachers.
I think Ainge has looked decent and, IMO, Ainge and Ratliff both looked better than Clemens, but the key thing to remember is that KC had 8 pro starts, while Ainge and Ratliff had none. So, what’s the wisdom of starting a little-experienced Clemens or a zero-experienced Ainge over Sanchez, who more than anything needs NFL game experience.
I think Sanchez has accuracy problems, but he just doesn’t have “happy feet.” Sanchez moves around in the pocket to position himself to pass (and sometimes he bounces around to much, but he’s looking downfield, not looking to run). “Happy feet” means that when the pass rush nears or his internal clock ticks away, his tendency would be to start scrambling. Sanchez really doesn’t do that too often and, IMO, Clemens was the king of “happy feet.”
Sanchez has rushed 24 times in 9 games…and he’s mobile. For point of reference, Chad in 2002 in his first 12 starts rushed 29 times, and Chad never had “happy feet.” Also, Chad was sacked 22 times, so far Sanchez has only been sacked 15 times (behind a much worse OL, Clemens was sacked 27 times in his 8 starts…IMO, his “happy feet” only made it worse for him). Again, if Sanchez had “happy feet” he’d be sacked a lot more. And, I don’t think it’s that Sanchez locks on to his WRs too often as much as he doesn’t pump fake enough.
Look, he’s hurting the Jets because he’s only completing 53.3% of his passes and forcing too many passes. In fact, in some instances, I wish he had tucked the ball and ran…against Buffalo especially. But, “happy feet” is not an issue.
Of course, Sanchez is learning. Many of his mistakes have come from sticking with the play-call, instead of improvising. On the first play of the Jag game, Sanchez had the whole field in front of him. He should have run instead of passing. Next time, he might run. He needs to gain back his confidence as well. He had it, in the pre-season and in the first few games. After the New Orleans game, he lost his mojo. Confidence will allow him to make the quick throw, when he sees the play happening. He is gun-shy right now. He’s waiting too long and then the opening is gone (or closing up). That fraction of a second, where he is creating rather than reacting, makes all of the difference. This will come with experience.
I do think Sanchez will become a solid QB but, I would love to see what Ainge has to offer. I like a tall QB who can see the whole field and has a rocket arm. Mobility at the QB position is nice but, I’ll take the rocket arm.