Chad Pennington, you are officially on notice: Another performance like this, and it is over. Memo to Kellen Clemens: Keep the arm loose, kid. It's almost time. Pennington has left Jets coach Eric Mangini no other choice than to at least consider the possibility of a quarterback change. Even though Mangini proclaimed that Pennington still is the starter shortly after his woeful effort in Sunday's 35-24 loss to the Giants, the coach surely must realize that time is growing short. At 1-4, and with Pennington having thrown five interceptions the last two weeks, there may be no other choice than to look elsewhere for the answer at the sport's most important position. One more bad game next week against the Eagles, and that is it. Hey, one more bad half might be enough to prompt Mangini to look for some kind of spark to get his team out of this early-season funk. With the season rapidly spiraling out of control -- or is it already over? -- Pennington is perilously close to playing his way out of the job he's held since 2002. A significant portion of the Jets' fan base no doubt would like to see Mangini pull the plug on Pennington immediately. Rest assured they will be flooding the airwaves on talk shows Monday demanding such a move. But Pennington has built up enough capital with his incredible will to win that he deserves at least one more shot to battle his way through his current malaise. Besides, once you tell Pennington he no longer is your quarterback, the option of going back to him is off the table. If you are going to go with Clemens, you are going do it for the foreseeable future. This is no practice run in which you change your mind and stick Pennington back in there. When asked about Pennington's situation after Sunday's debacle, Mangini said, "Chad is the starting quarterback." But Mangini cannot continue to stick with a quarterback who continues to throw interceptions in critical situations. Pennington has thrown three or more picks in a game only four times in his career. But with five in back-to-back losses to the Bills and Giants, it is perilously close to becoming a trend. A trend that cannot -- and must not -- continue indefinitely. "I don't have any concern," Pennington said when I asked about his job security. "My whole concern is me and what I can do to get better and become a better quarterback." Believe it or not, he saw positives Sunday. "I see plays out there where I really see myself making improvement throwing the ball down the field," he said. "We had some big-time down-the-field completions. Then you take two plays, and it just ruins the whole day. That's what it boils down to." The two that really killed the Jets Sunday: Pennington's pass intended for Jerricho Cotchery that was picked off by rookie corner Aaron Ross at the Giants' 2 early in the fourth quarter, and his pick late in the quarter that was returned 43 yards by Ross for a touchdown. On the latter, the Jets were driving for what could have been the go-ahead touchdown; instead, it turned into the game-clinching score for the Giants. It might end up being the interception that ultimately signaled the end of Pennington's run with the Jets. On the first interception, Pennington thought he had the Giants' defense figured out when he switched to a "hot" read. The Giants were showing blitz, and Pennington checked off to a three-step drop and a fade route to Cotchery. The Giants did blitz, but not the way Pennington expected. They sent safety James Butler in from the right but had the other defensive backs drop into a cover-2. It was too late for Pennington to recover, and his pass was picked off just in front of the end zone. On the second, he threw behind Cotchery and Ross jumped the route, stepped in front and had clear sailing to the end zone. "It's frustrating, and believe me, it makes you sick to your stomach," Pennington said. Pennington's teammates were quick to point the blame elsewhere. Laveranues Coles even took responsibility for the loss. But there was no disguising the reality: This one was on the quarterback. Now he's running out of second chances. There might be only one more.
Well you knew the media was going to insert themselves into the controversy at some point, the question was really when, not if.
I'm trying to get past the opening line, Why wait? In case we win our remaining games and win our div?:lol: Lets use the rest of the season constructively and see what we have , what we are going to need and the best way to go about it. We have regressed this season which has come as a big surprise to most of us here. Last seasons 'easy' schedule and blessed with unknown talent gave us a false dawn , well it here now , wakey wakey FO !
Seems to me that the media has quietly decided not to give mangini a platform for a QB controversy. Kind of a reverse maneuver due their general dislike of the way he acts towards them. It's like they quietly decided to let him sink or swim on his own, and not play a role in pressing him on his errant decision-making.
He sees himself improving throwing the ball downfield C'mon Chad...that's ridiculous. Downfield included 1) a one-handed circus catch from Coles on the sideline 2) jump ball to Brad Smith where the DB got turned around for a TD 3) another high throw that Brad Smith leapt to catch 4) a horrible interception on an underthrown jumpball off the backfoot 5) another horrible jumpball down the left sideline that was 3 feet short and should have been picked As much as I like and respect the guy and expect him to have the confidence / cockiness to think he is going to lead the Jets to wins, how can he say something so wrong.
you forgot 6. Coles fully extended grab of an overthorwn ball that could have gotten him killed! Coles could have dunked with that extention.
I love Chad as our starting qb for many reasons but the one GLARING hole is his arm. Teams have known this for years, we have known this for years, the media has known this for years, our front office has known as well. WAKE UP MANGINI!!!! We will not we win with Chad! We havent done it so far and wont in the future!! His arm is not going to magically get stronger. All the defenses we play know this. Its over and the time is now! Lets make a change! Kellen Clemens your time is now!
I agree it's Clemens time. If he fails we better be looking for a QB with our overall #1 next year and not some fat slob for the line.
I love chad, and I feel bad for him, but THis eagles team has 2 GREAT corners much better then madison and ross, and the best safety in the league .... I will try my best to be positive going into SUNDAYS game, but the lil birdie the same one who told antonio pierce that the no huddle is bullshit now, is telling me it wont be pretty
The thing that I loved about Chad was that he was a smart and accurate qb. But after the beginning of this season, you just have to question that. During routes, he throws to the first option almost every time, whether they are well covered or not. It's like he doesn't know that the defense exists.
Another reason to bring in KC. Every time LC or others have to make acrobatic catches on poorly thrown balls, their potential for injury increases. Why continue to risk one of the few bright spots on this club ?
I hate the concept of waiting until the season is shot before trying to improve the team. there just is no logic in that. playing Chad, whose inabilities have never been more glaring or harmful to this team, is giving up on this season, not playing Clemens. I just don't see how Mangini can't see or understand this, that is why this 1-4 start rests on Mangini more than Chad. what if Clemens comes in and wins 7 of 10 games. people would applaud Mangini for finishing strong, but he would be directly responsible for burying this team in a hole to start the season. sorry to turn this into a rant on Mangini, but any criticism of Chad is also about Mangini IMO.
Newsday believes Chad Pennington will be on a short leash in Week 6 against the Eagles. Beat writer Tom Rock says he wouldn’t be surprised to see Kellen Clemens start the third quarter if Pennington plays poorly again in the first half. He makes for a risky fantasy start, while most agree Clemens' time is near. Source: Newsday
Unfotunately I agree...I do like Clemens and I hope he pans out, but unless he shows REAL signs of being able to win games with his arm...then the Jets MUST spend their first round pick and get themselves a legit franchise QB. I hear good things about Matt Ryan from BC, Andre' Woodson from Kentucky and Brian Brohm from Louisville.
From knowing what Clemens did in college and what he did against one of the most complex defenses in the league, there is no doubt in my mind that he is the future of this team. So we can spend that 1st rd pick on a line man or an OLB, or a DT.
Not that I don't think that Pennington should be benched, but why does everyone conveniently forget the first 3 quarters of the Ravens game when Clemmens didn't look like he belonged on the field?
