The world needs to be reminded that the acquisition of Chad Pennington does not change the Miami Dolphins’ (mis)fortunes.
It does provide for a wonderful sports story, but that does not translate well to logical sports analysis. It’s actually quite sickening.
Are football fans to understand that the New York Jets were in for trouble this season with Chad Pennington at quarterback, but he has a fighting chance with a less talented Miami Dolphins' team?
Disgusting.
Jets fans dealt with Pennington criticisms from every angle over the last few seasons.
While his resilience has always been respected, it’s amazing that Pennington’s lack of arm strength from a twice repaired shoulder, his susceptibility to injury, and inability to win games in the fourth quarter is no longer a factor.
No one can deny Pennington’s fighter spirit, but Jets fans know what Pennington is capable of. His tenacity as a competitor will not trigger the single-handed victory he never accomplished in all his seasons with the New York Jets.
The secret to Chad Pennington’s success has always been a strong defense and effective running game.
While Ricky Williams has played well throughout the preseason, and Ronnie Brown appears to be returning to full health, Chadwick does not have a shutdown defense to lock up any lead he can build.
He’s also missing the tough receivers that can take a beating in the middle of the field on timing patterns.
Imaginations have been running wild as people believe Pennington can convert Ted Ginn, Jr. into a middle-of-the-field possession receiver, a la Jerricho Cotchery or Laveranues Coles.
Ginn is more comparable to another small, speedy receiver Pennington once played with.
Santana Moss was utilized in a special teams capacity, and subjected to returning punts. He did make some tough catches in the middle of the field, but Jets’ fans knew that Moss’ true strength was his breakaway speed up the field.
When Moss was no longer restrained by Pennington’s physical limitations, he responded with a Pro Bowl season in Washington.
But Dolphins’fans and clever sports writers will tell you that Pennington’s knowledge of the New York Jets’ defense places him at an advantage. It’s easy to believe such a thing, but that’s the romantic aspect of the game.
The entire NFL knows Chad’s tendencies and weaknesses—especially his former team.
Hilarity ensues when Brett Favre’s inexperience with a new team is referenced, yet similiar issues with Pennington in Miami are neglected.
While Favre faces chemistry and timing issues as a first-time starter for the Jets, it's forgotten that Pennington hasn’t been a Dolphin for much time either. Both players are in unfamiliar systems with new receivers, but one quarterback in this equation is a better player, has superior targets, and has a much more talented team around him.
There is no doubt that Pennington will play with a bit more emotion on his side. His Comeback Player of the Year award came at a time when he felt his back was to the wall and no one believed in him.
However, Pennington had a better supporting cast then than he does now.
11 comments Last one added 10 months ago — Leave a Comment
Bruce Dickenson 10 months ago
I couldn't agree more. I will be cheering for the Dolphins for 14 games this year, but the biggest question the JETS had was at quarterback. Now he goes to the Dolphins and people are calling for a week one upset with the Phins beating the JETS. I don't get it.
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Angel Navedo 10 months ago
I could never find myself rooting for Miami. But I'm glad you see my predicament. It's absolutely absurd!
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Nick Deplitch 10 months ago
The big difference between Pennington and Favre is their abilities to learn new playbooks. Pennington is a student of the game. Digesting a playbook is easy for him. Favre is not as smart and it is clear that he is struggling learning the new offense. Bubba Franks is even acting as a translator.
I don't think this will matter too much in the outcome of the game, because there are entirely too many other advantages the Jets have over the Dolphins.
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Angel Navedo 10 months ago
I wouldn't venture as far as to call it struggling. Any guy that spends 16 years in a new system with a specific language is going to need to adapt.
Pennington hasn't had a consistent playbook since 2004. There's been a new offensive coordinator for him throughout the last few seasons, so re-learning systems is something he's familiar with.
Regardless, I don't see it as a "clear" struggle. Favre has been efficient and precise in his outings to this point.
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Pat OBrien 10 months ago
As a Dolphins fan, I completely agree, but you should also take into account that the Dolphins haven't had anything to get excited about since Marino retired. Even then it was evident that his prime had passed him by long ago. I think that each team has an equally good chance to win. Miami is a young team and probably won't be competitive for 3 years. As a fan I don't pin all my hopes on Pennington, but i do feel he is a perfect fit for Henne to learn from and absorb as much as he can before the inevitable happens and Pennington goes down. Hopefully he can remain healthy the entire season but that probably isn't a realistic scenario. I can't stand the Jets and never have been able to, but I am a realist. As much as I love the Dolphins, I can't help but think if they win 6 games this year it is a successful transition. I don't have any fantasies about the new administration turning this around this year. There is a lot of work that is required, but I can say they are taking the right steps for the 1st time in recent memory. The head office in Miami has been a tragic story for all Dolphins fans and hopefully Parcells will have a positive impact.
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Angel Navedo 10 months ago
Thanks for the response, Pat. It pains me to say that the Dolphins are ever doing anything right, but I do believe the team is on the right path. But like I said in the article, it may be too soon to be predicting potential upsets after a 1-15 season.
Parcells has worked wonders as a coach, turning the Jets into a 9-7 team his first year here. But he's not the coach. He makes very good personnel decisions though, so the tools for future success will be there when he decides to leave the team and re-build another organization in peril.
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Bruce Dickenson 10 months ago
I think much like the JETS, sucess will come later in the year for the Phins. After the new personnel has had an opportunity to gel.
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Angel Navedo 10 months ago
And the BS continues!
• NBC's Cris Collinsworth: "... Pennington is not going to give the game away. He's a professional quarterback..."
Absolutely absurd!!
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Bruce Dickenson 10 months ago
These are the same that said Chad Pennington can't throw the ball and that will cost the JETS another losing season? Oh well, I guess it just goes to show how much people actually like the guy and will continue to root for him. Good, he deserves it. Chad Pennington deserves any credit they throw at him. the JETS will still beat them on Sunday.
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Nick Deplitch 10 months ago
Jump ball to Ted Ginn? That might have been throwing the game away. Pennington did manage the game until the last play and gave the Dolphins a good chance to win, but their lack of talent at WR showed throughout the game as Pennington mostly completed to TEs and RBs.
His line was 26 of 42 for 251 and 2 TDs going into his last pass which was intercepted.
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Angel Navedo 10 months ago
He definitely performed very well yesterday. His ability to play to the team's strength was on point. How much of it was emotion and opening day excitement vs actual talent is yet to be seen. But Pennington was placed in a position to win that game.
In order for him to manage a game, the running attack needs to work. The kind of game he had in Week One is the kind of performance he might be good for once or twice a season. It's definitely not the norm for him though.
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