Chad Pennington: The Savior of Miami

Aug. 7, 2008: Chad Pennington is released from the only team he knows, the New York Jets, to make room for future Hall of Famer Brett Favre. Pennington's favorite target, Laveranues Coles put up a vicious fight because he knows exactly what Chad is capable of doing on the football field. It is bittersweet day in New York Jets history.

Aug. 10, 2008: Pennington is signed to a multi-year contract by the same man who drafted him in 1999, Bill Parcells. Parcells' football philosophy is simple. No mistakes, good defense, strong running game, depth in the roster, good special teams, and you'll win.

Pennington is the perfect ingredient for that mix. He is a game manager. Pennington is not capable of the 60-yard bomb—like his replacement in New York—but can make any other throw in the book.

A solid combination of his "football smarts," two top-five draft picks in the backfield and a bend-but-don't-break defense took the Dolphins from 1-15 to 11-5, and, in the process, showed the league that Pennington is not done.

The Miami Dolphins finished the regular season with their passing and rushing offenses 10th and 11th in the league, respectively. Dol-fans can thank Chad.

Defenses that thought if they stuff the run they stop the Miami attack couldn't have been more wrong. He has done it his entire career; this year, Pennington set a career-high of 3,653 passing yards and sports a robust QB rating of 97.4, the second best of his career. Pennington makes a defense pay when they stack the box. He makes that 40-yard pass to Ted Ginn Jr. look pretty easy, too.

Durability is a question for Pennington, as 2008 marks only the second time in his nine-year NFL career that he's played in all 16 regular season games. This explains the Comeback Player of the Year Award and no MVP trophy.  

If Pennington is not in Miami and a different Chad (Henne) is at the wheel, how many wins do the Dolphins get? Do they make the playoffs? I know they don't. Pennington carries pride in a job well done, and the chip on his shoulder doesn't hurt.