Good and fair post. I believe one of these 3 scenarios are going to possibly played out. I hope it is the first, but after the dismal start that is seriously suspect. We need a couple more games to see where this team is at and our direction will probably be revealed.
Trouble is........ We're a team that plays in the North East and in the Meadowlands. A running game is important for us. Unless we can steal Andy Reid's playbook. But I dn't think we have the "D" to mimic the Eagles.
That right there is the problem(or is it?). Pennington will win games, he always does. He can get this team to 8-8, 9-7, hell maybe even 10-6 again this year. What then though? We have a .500ish season, a mid round draft pick, and a 2nd round QB who has almost no regular season experience. At some point you have too pull the plug on Penny. Whether Mangini does or does not do that this season will give us a good idea of what were in store for in 08' and 09'.
About the running game, i don't think we should be running it twice every first down. Runs, as well as screens and flats should be used less often, and will then be much more effective, as the defenses will be preparing for the pass.
With Pennington in the game a defense can guard against both at the same time with Pennys 5 yard passes. Load up the defensive line!
Pennington will be a great backup QB for us...but not till next year. I still think we can make the playoffs with Chad this year.
The "D" doesn't have anything to do with this conversation, unless you've noticed we don't have much of a running game or I would agree with you. The only time we are moving the ball at all so far this year is when we pass the ball. It isn't much of a stretch to see a short passing game can work the same way a running play does.
