Chad Pennington gets nod, for now By RICH CIMINI DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER Thursday, December 20th 2007, 4:00 AM Chad Pennington played well in relief against the Patriots. In due time, the Jets will have to decide if Kellen Clemens is their quarterback of the future. One thing became abundantly clear yesterday: He's not their quarterback this week. With Clemens suffering rib and shoulder injuries, the Jets will return to Chad Pennington - remember him? - for Sunday's road game against the Titans, according to a person with knowledge of the situation. "It's as certain as you could be," the person said. Not surprisingly, the ever-secretive Eric Mangini claimed he still hasn't made a decision, indicating he wants to evaluate Clemens after a full week of practice. It doesn't take a medical expert to recognize that Clemens still is hurting. Clemens looked like a one-armed quarterback, holding his left arm as if it were in an imaginary sling. He didn't throw any passes during the first 30 minutes of practice, open to the media, unless you count a couple of underhanded tosses to the ball boy. Officially, he was "limited," according to the team's practice report. Pennington will make his first start since Oct. 28, but he's still a backup in the eyes of Mangini. After muddying the quarterback situation on Monday by refusing to say Clemens will start, if healthy, Mangini acknowledged that Clemens remains atop the depth chart. Pressed on the issue, Mangini said this week's decision is "health-related," adding that Clemens still gives the Jets (3-11) their best chance to win. That, of course, is open to debate, especially after Pennington (25-for-38, 186 yards) played reasonably well off the bench in last Sunday's 20-10 loss to the Patriots. Clemens, who lasted only two plays before being squashed by defensive end Richard Seymour, has failed to generate a spark in seven starts (2-5). Mangini said he's not second-guessing the quarterback change he made two months ago, a move that probably will lead to Pennington's ouster in the offseason. "Those are decisions that you make as the coach ...and I feel very comfortable with (it)," he said. Clemens was medically cleared to return to the New England game, according to Mangini, but he was kept out based on a "coach's decision." Yesterday, Mangini changed his tune a bit, calling it a health issue. Clemens' injuries aren't believed to be serious, although he may have a fractured rib. Forget Mangini's verbal gymnastics; the reality is that Clemens would be playing if he could. The Jets want to see more of him before making their decision in the offseason, but they face the prospect of finishing the season with Pennington, who may want a change of scenery. "Obviously, in the offseason, I'll have to look at (the situation) and evaluate some things and see what we need to do next," Pennington told the Tennessee media. The Jets have an enormous decision to make, one that will affect Mangini's future. Do they commit to Clemens despite his mediocre play? Do they try to convince Pennington he's still wanted? Do they bring in a veteran to compete with Clemens? Do they use their high draft pick on a quarterback? It would be a non-issue if Clemens had been playing better, but he hasn't capitalized on his opportunity. He has four touchdown passes and 10 interceptions. "Looking back, there have been some good things that have come from my playing," Clemens said, "and there have also been some areas where I need to work to improve. Hopefully, over the next couple of weeks, the good things will continue to show up."
QB controversy, Mangini style. This has been a clusterf*ck all season and not surprisingly we'll end the season on a cliffhanger as well.
Clemmins is the guy, just don't want to get him hurt even more. Just seen in article though, I think it's still up in the air.
Yay...there is nothing I wanted more than to see Chad prove to all his fans that he can hold fort as well as anybody in the NFL. +1 for stagnation.
Looks like the injury gave Mangini trhe excuse to put Chad back in there. Maybe he's seen enough too.
I don't read much into it. Clemens probably has cracked ribs and at least a bruised left shoulder. Pennington is being put in as a viable back-up and nothing more. I only hope Chad does not get badly injured, too, which is a very real possibility because our offensive line is soooooo bad. Chad makes the game somewhat predictable if you aske me. Our offensive line remains near the poorest in the NFL. We will struggle greatly to establish any running game at all. The crux of the offensive plays will be placed on Chad's arm. Tons and tons of dink and dunks. Chad will get sacked at least 4 times during the game. Figure on at least one if not 2 interceptions and possibly a fumble. Chad needs a very consistent good running game and a physical defense at stopping the run. Right now we have neither and that is why Chad comes up short. Titans will be able to run against us and Vince Young will be able to run against us. I don't even see this as close. 27-10 Titans.
Agreed. Mangini would stay with Clemens if he thought it was viable to do so against Haynesworth and the Titans defense. With Clemens hurting it is not so he's going to Chad. Yep. I think the Titans will probably get close to 200 yards rushing. Maybe more. My gut feeling is that the game is closer than that. I think maybe 13-10 going into the 4th quarter and 20-13 final.
hey im from waterbury, ct and go to school in danbury during the semester i get both the jets and apts game but in waterbury they choose the pats over the jets, since they are playing at the same time does anyone know how i can go about ordering the game or how i could watch w/o hittin a bar
Yes, if I recall correctly it will go something like this: We're down 13-10 late in the fourth and get the ball back. We complete two short dump passes to TJ or Leon then Chad throws a 10 yard out to Cotch that gets picked off and taken to the house. We drive back down the field but fail to get a TD and kick a FG but miss the ensuing onsides kick attempt. sounds about right.
Ironically, I think we opened the 2006 season against the Titans, I think, and we kicked an onsides kick to start the game.
