Player Analysis: Pros and Cons of Chad Pennington

After eight seasons in New York playing for the Jets, Chad Pennington was released for an old quarterback who probably won't play past this year.

If you ask me releasing Pennington wasn't worth it for New York, because they got rid of a very efficient veteran, who still has a lot more years left in him.

Miami quickly picked him up before anyone else to solve their recent quarterback problems, and so far he hasn't disappointed.

Here is a little analysis I've put together of his strongest and weakest points:

Strong Points:

Pennington is an extremely efficient passer for Miami. His passer rating this year is currently 97.4. He also averages 8.1 yards per completion, which is the highest he's ever done as a starter in his career.

This is his ninth season in the NFL. With time, comes experience and leadership abilities.

Pennington has both

He is exactly what Miami's young team needs. He can guide them through all of the teams struggles, and he can lead them to victory.

He also doesn't back down to pressure too often.

When the Dolphins are on the road, Pennington steps up his game even more. His passer rating on the road is 11.8 points higher than his rating at home. He is overall very effective against pressure.

Weak Points:

Pennington's biggest flaw is his ability to throw the deep ball. He has never had a cannon for an arm. That can be a problem a lot of times, because if Miami is facing a team with weak safeties, he might not be able to fully take advantage.

Not being able to throw long takes out a few play calls that most any other quarterback could execute.

Another flaw is his inability to perform well in the fourth quarter. He does well under pressure on the road, but he just isn't as good during the fourth quarter.

His passer rating is 77.2 in the fourth quarter. His fourth quarter rating is 27.5 points lower than his third quarter passer rating.

Something happens to him during the final quarter, apparently.

Conclusion:

Pennington may not be able to throw too far down-field, or play his best game in the fourth quarter, but he is still a really good quarterback.

His inability to throw long passes has given him a top passer rating in the NFL, because he is so efficient with shorter passes.

When he doesn't play well in the fourth quarter, he still has help. Ronnie Brown gets better as the game goes on, so he is able to carry Miami's offense late in the game.

Pennington's experience and efficiency far outweigh his flaws, which is why he fits so well in Miami's offense.

For those reasons, I am confident that he can lead Miami to do great things in the future.