COMING BACK? Chad Pennington's future as a Jet will be determined when the team tries to renegotiate his contract this week. Photo: Getty Images Email Archives Print Reprint Feeds Newsletters February 20, 2006 -- One day he's renegotiating a new deal to stay in New York, the next day he's on his way out of the only place he's ever played. And yet another day, a couple of his teammates are quoted as saying they think he should be released because he's too injury-prone. These surely are not the best of times for Chad Pennington, who within the next week will either be re-signed to a new salary-reduced contract to allow him to remain with the Jets or he'll be released, thus becoming a free agent in a world where it'll be difficult to find a better chance to regain a starting job than with the Jets. It's difficult to believe it has come to this for the Jets' quarterback who just a couple of years ago was the darling of New York sports, but such is the cold, harsh reality of professional sports, particularly those in New York. However, let's not count Pennington, who's rehabbing after a second rotator cuff surgery in his right shoulder in as many years and probably will not be able to throw in anger until training camp in July, completely out of New York just yet. Contrary to one recent report that all but has Pennington released, it would be naive to think his career as a Jet is over after only an initial round of renegotiation talks between his agent and the Jets, which took place last week. The actual moment of truth for Pennington, who is due a $3 million roster bonus on March 3 and is scheduled to count $9 million against the 2006 salary cap, will take place this week in Indianapolis, where the NFL's annual Scouting Combine takes place. Indianapolis is where all of the team executives and coaching staffs converge along with most the agents and the litany of college players who work out and interview with prospective teams. This is where Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum will sit down face-to-face with Tom Condon, Pennington's agent, and get serious. It's not surprising that Condon would turn down the Jets' initial request for Pennington to play for a $1 million base in 2006 and then have the chance to earn the other $8 million in incentives. Based on the uncertainty of Pennington's health status and the fact that the Jets will be bringing in a starting-caliber quarterback to compete for the job, that would be bank-account suicide for Pennington. The Jets' desire and, more to the point, need is to reduce their bloated salary cap situation. They're currently about $26 million over the cap. That means the big-ticket items on the roster such as Pennington must have their cap numbers reduced. The chances remain most realistic that Pennington, who's already cashed in $22 million in guaranteed money in the two-plus years since he signed that $64 million deal, will settle for some reduction before the end of the week. The Jets are also working with Curtis Martin and several other players about reworking contracts into more cap-friendly deals. * In other news, the Jets have until Thursday to place the franchise tag on DE John Abraham for the second consecutive season, and they will do that. Abraham's agents are prepared for it and Abraham himself is dismayed, no longer wanting to remain with the team. He'll likely get his wish in the end, because the Jets are almost certain to use him in a trade in and around the draft to either move up in the draft or to gain more picks. mark.cannizzaro@ny post.com
As the world turns the soap opera continues. 2 of our best players Pennington and Abraham may be former players sooner than you think.
I agree. I think that is what will eventually happen. I can see them settling on $2 million per year with incentives to get to $9 million.
They are if we go to a 3-4 D....Thomas will be the 'hybrid' DE/LB while Ellis and Robertson play DE. Just need a NT. Face it, John Abraham is a goner.
Speaking of Dallas, why hasn't anyone considered trading Abe to them? After all, he is a Parcells draftee. Any thoughts?
And there is absolutely zero proof that all these players are capable of doing what you suggest, zero.
That'd be good for them...They have Demarcus Ware at one OLB... Al Singleton is coming off an injury and is getting older, Scott Fujita is a special-teamer at best... My guess would be they're high on Kevin Burnett and want him to play OLB or somethin But Parcells drafted him as you said...Very good possibility, and Dallas has a pick in the teens correct?
Except for Ellis being able to play a 3-4 DE, which he thrived in during his rookie season. He'll be in much better shape this year, and will return to being one of our best defensive players.
That may be pushin it. It's clear Abe wants out and the Jets are gonna unload him. To get #18 the entire board would take him just because he wants out and his contract demands... Eric Mangini and Mike T are not gonna hustle Bill Parcells:grin:.
You as well as most of this board don't have any idea how to negotiate, I knew that Penny wasn't going to take this deal, and I knew that the negotiation will continue. Man I wish I was a car salesman in this place, I could probably rob you all blind.
