The long-anticipated quarterback change is official. New York Jets head coach Eric Mangini made the announcement Monday that Chad Pennington has been benched in favor of Kellen Clemens, the second year man out of Oregon. Pennington had another poor performance Sunday, passing for only 106 yards and leading his team to a measley 3 points. Clemens relieved Pennington late in the 4th quarter and threw two intereceptions, but by then it was too late to stage any kind of comeback. Now begs the question, what is the future look like for Pennington?
When Pennington burst onto the scene in 2002, I was about as excited as any Jets fan could be. He was so impressive, despite his lack of arm strength. He used finesse and was about as accurate as you could get. A quarterback doesn't have to throw hard to be successful, but you have to be accurate. He was, and he led the Jets to the playoffs in his first full season behind center. But injuries have plagued his career since, and he's never been the same and his accuracy has gradually decreased. Whether it was a wrist injury against the Giants in a preseason game or the lingering rotator cuff injury, Pennington has had to deal with a lot of adversity. I will be the first to admit to screaming at the television that "he sucks and that he's terrible and that Clemens needs to get in the game now."
I hope Pennington does well beyond the Jets, that is if another team will give him a chance. There are teams out there that need a quarterback, but will they present him with an opportunity? Will he move on and become a halfway decent quarterback in another uniform or is his career over after this season? I can't see him as a backup for the Jets next season, so it would be best if he moves and tries to re-invent his career.
If a couple years down the road, Pennington is successful and winning games for another team, your damn right I'm going to be pissed, but I'll also be rooting for him at the same time. He's taken a lot of abuse, and that includes from yours truly. It's time to say goodbye to Chad and say hello to a new man behind center. Maybe he can instill some heart into this embarrasing and lackluster team. Chad had plenty of it and they didn't respond to him. Let's see if Clemens can do any better.
Shawn Marosek
When Pennington burst onto the scene in 2002, I was about as excited as any Jets fan could be. He was so impressive, despite his lack of arm strength. He used finesse and was about as accurate as you could get. A quarterback doesn't have to throw hard to be successful, but you have to be accurate. He was, and he led the Jets to the playoffs in his first full season behind center. But injuries have plagued his career since, and he's never been the same and his accuracy has gradually decreased. Whether it was a wrist injury against the Giants in a preseason game or the lingering rotator cuff injury, Pennington has had to deal with a lot of adversity. I will be the first to admit to screaming at the television that "he sucks and that he's terrible and that Clemens needs to get in the game now."
I hope Pennington does well beyond the Jets, that is if another team will give him a chance. There are teams out there that need a quarterback, but will they present him with an opportunity? Will he move on and become a halfway decent quarterback in another uniform or is his career over after this season? I can't see him as a backup for the Jets next season, so it would be best if he moves and tries to re-invent his career.
If a couple years down the road, Pennington is successful and winning games for another team, your damn right I'm going to be pissed, but I'll also be rooting for him at the same time. He's taken a lot of abuse, and that includes from yours truly. It's time to say goodbye to Chad and say hello to a new man behind center. Maybe he can instill some heart into this embarrasing and lackluster team. Chad had plenty of it and they didn't respond to him. Let's see if Clemens can do any better.
Shawn Marosek
2 comments:
I wouldn't be pissed. Chad is a winning qb and I would expect nothing else wherever he goes. There is no reason to be pissed if he succeeds somewhere else. And he will get another job. I'll root for whatever team he goes to hard if he's in the NFC or if the Jets are out of it.
I would be pissed because I'd rather have him succeed as a Jet. It would irritate me somewhat to see him suck right now and then go and be great.
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