Continuing our Know Your Role Series, today we look at Quarterback Chad Pennington. No one questions his smarts, instinct, work ethic, ability to find open targets or his ability to run a system, but the physical aspect of playing in the NFL has taken it?s toll on the Jets? starting Quarterback, who just played in his first full season since being drafted. Over the past few seasons, Chad?s injury status has run paralell to the fate of the team. Over the course of his career, it?s clear that depending on how many games he can play, so goes the team, see the graph below to get a better sense of just how close the ties have been since his taking over in 2002. The comparison is actually pretty incredible. It?s an oversimplification of course, and wins take more than just a Quarterback, but when you don?t have the Bear?s 85 Defense, it?s hard to extricate wins from solid QB play. Looking at this, it helps put into context why the Jets drafted a Quarterback last year in the second round ? they wanted an insurance policy and/or possible replacement, and those take time to create. Although Clemens might not yet be ready, he?s learning from a master in Pennington, a guy who has expresses his ability to coach prep when he?s done playing. Time and again, and rightfully so, Pennington?s ability to put the ball downfield is brought up. According to Mike Tanier, only 5% of his passes went more than 25 yards in the air in 2006 (and I think they were all to Justin McCareins on play-fakes ? OK not really). In my opinion, limited downfield throwing isn?t so bad, it could be worse ? try having the Sex Cannon leading your team into battle. What concerns me is his high ratio of 17 TDs to 16 INTs that Pennington had in 2006. I think that there were many factors which contributed to them. Taking a look at Pennington?s split stats, here are the situations where he had the most trouble: Between the 40s - 7 interceptions To the right side of the field - 7 interceptions When playing from behind - 8 interceptions Two wideouts - 9 interceptions Player in motion - 10 interceptions Lone setback - 10 interceptions. Now there are a number of reasons why these were the times when he had trouble, I think that a lot had to do with learning a new system, his rehab, but mostly because there was such a lack of running game. During his career, Pennington has never averaged more than 30 throws per game in any season, a number which he moved past in 2006. Forcing Pennington to throw the ball more is not the root of the problem, but it is when there?s no viable alternative for defenses to worry about. Sure Pennington made some mistakes during the season (I?m looking at YOU, Bears game!) but with another year under the belt, and a solid running game likely, Pennington should be have a more efficient season than in 2006. Barring an injury, of course. Posted: July 19th,
I said it before and I'll say it again Chad will be stronger than ever he has shown he has heart and that he can win. I really hate the fact that many fans want to create a player instead of letting a player play. "their are lies, white lies, and stats all of which mean nothing unless you believe them" Bill Parcels.
The only thing I still question is Chad's ability to throw passes where the airtime is measured in days and not seconds....
hhaa exactly im on the fence abouit chad. only cuz this is his last yr if he doesnt play great. hes one of the most hot cold players ive ever seen. hes either disecting defenses, or looking down his recievers and throwing balloons for everyone to grab. i dont even care he cant throw an effective pass over 40 yds. (that would make him a top qb though) but hell at least keep the velocity on anything under 30. which he even had problems doing on some passes last yr. oh well, the main part, and only good thing i can come out of last yr is. he was in prolly his 3rd system in 5 years. also, first time hes not spent rehabbing. regardless we dont have a better choice for now. expect the clemens era to begin next yr unless chad takes us to an afc title game.
Remember guys, this is the first year in the last 3 that he actually went through an offseason STRENGTHENING program and not concentrating 100% on his shoulder. It's definitely possible the rest of his body wore down a little during the season (more than usual) simply because his primary focus in the 2006 offseason was his shoulder...
I think thats a pretty scary thought. Can't wait for the pre-season to start because I want a better look at Clemens. I'm still in that "as Chad goes so go the Jets" mentality. I'm sure a solid pre-season would put more then a few minds at ease.
