Give Chad a Break!!
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by user Alanschech
I have to preface this article by stating how huge a Jets fan I am, especially of Chad Pennington. I like the way the team plays and the way he leads when he is out there. That being said, I would be a complete idiot if I didn't acknowledge the fact that there are questions. Of course, after 2 arm injuries, there are questions. But we have to stop scrutinizing every throw he makes, and look at the big picture, because he is the best option for the Jets.
First of all, let's look at the other options. Kellen Clemens is a rookie. NFL teams just don't turn the reigns over to a rookie and become successful. It doesn't happen, even Peyton Manning had a rough go of it in his first year. Kellen Clemens needs time on the bench watching and learning. Obviously, the organization doesn't even consider Brooks Bollinger a viable option because with all of the changes he still goes into camp as 4th string. Patrick Ramsey is a nice insurance policy, but not the guy to take the team forward. He has shown that he doesn't make good decisions in big situations. That leaves Chad, he is the smartest of the lot, and the most effective of the lot.
Next, let's get off his back about the arm strength issue. Joe Montana didn't have a gun either, but he was smart. Playing quarterback is just as much about efficiency as it is about arm strength, and Chad Pennington when playing is about as efficient as it gets. Also, Herman Edwards deserves some of the blame for the reoccurrence of the injury. Clearly the Jets rushed him back last year, and as they say, "It takes two to tango". If the Jets hadn't participated in rushing him back, he couldn't have come back. Now, he has had the proper rest, and that will lessen the chance of it getting hurt again.
And don't question him as a leader or a gamer either. Let's not forget that while carrying around a torn rotator cuff the first time, he came within a Doug Brien field goal of leading his team to the AFC championship game. WITH THE INJURY! And last year, after resustaining the injury, he came back into the game when Jay Fielder got hurt, and came a Wayne Chrebet dropped pass away from leading his team back to win that one too. The guy is tough, and he is a leader.
Don't misunderstand me, we do need to make sure he is healthy before annointing him the starter. However, he is the best option if he is healthy. So let's just stop looking at how many interceptions he has thrown in practice, and focus on his recovery, because Jets fans, he is the one we need right now.
Date
Sat 07/29/06, 9:36 am EST
