By Ken Berger
Just wanted to let everyone know that Chad Pennington spoke with a few of us media types at the Taste of the NFL fundraiser tonight at the South Street Seaport. Check out my story in the paper tomorrow for all the details, but here's a taste (couldn't resist) of what he had to say:
* He's "full go" in his throwing regimen and "throwing every route we have in the playbook." It was our first update on his progress since he started light throwing March 1, and I have to admit, I was surprised.
* He plans to play at his current weight of 229 pounds, about a dime heavier than before. He said his goal is to be "better than what the old Chad Pennington was" and "as strong as I ever was." Clearly, he is making an effort in the weight room to build himself up so he doesn't break down again.
* He's optimistic that he'll be ready for live drills in time for passing camp at the end of the month and full-squad minicamp in mid-June.
* He's excited that he's 31 weeks post-surgery and still has four months to get ready for the season opener. He noted that he started the season opener last year 31 weeks after surgery.
* He knows he'll have to compete with Patrick Ramsey for the starting job, and sounds ready for it.
Come back often for minicamp updates. Later.
Comments (18)
Thanks for the update, Ken.
It's good to see Chad's competitive spirit flowing again.
Aside from the injuries, I thought Chad bought a bit too much, into ol' Herm's fearball philosophy.
Whereas he was gung-ho when he first started, he seemed to start worrying too much about making mistakes.
Happy to see he's honest about his being rushed back, last season.
It would be a great story, if Chad can make it back, after so many have already laid a stone on his grave.
Nice job scooping yourself, I love it! Keep up the good work! ;)
Please please please let Chad be the QB for the Jets for years to come!!
Good job Ken. Do they let you eat at any of these functions or do you have to stop at an all night diner for a self titled on the way home?
When you say "confident as ever" do you mean arrogant as ever? I remember him being a very quite guy before he ever had an injury...Maybe it just wasn't his wrist and shoulder that took a bad shot but his head and it's gone unchecked, undiagnosed and untreated!
Looks like you may have settled on a name -- not sure if this one has been suggested but thought I'd throw it out there "JETSTREAM"
Right. I think Joe Theismann has a better shot at coming back and being a franchise QB. Everybody loves Chad, but it has been sad to watch his rapid decline. That'll teach him to throw himself to the wolves in order to save Herm's career. All I have to say about Chad is...next!
Chad once again sounds encouraging but doesn't he always. He was not ready last year but he told everybody he was. Maybe if he had taken the time to recover from his surgery he could have had a positive impact in the 2nd half of the season. I hld him as accountable as I do his Daddy, Herm. That said, I'm confident that Coach Mangini will not make the same mistake that Herm did and if Chad is not ready or capable to lead this team, he won't step foot on the field....I like what the new regime is doing and if it takes time to build a real football team then I can be patient.
What do you think of the QB the Jets drafted, though? Is there any chance that he is, in fact, the QB of the Jets' future? What chance does he have of being more impressive than Pennington and Ramsey at the QB minicamp?
What is stopping me fromsaying "here we go again" with Chad. When does he ever say that his progress is slow or not what it should be? Never! But for whatever reason, I beleive him this time. I can't wait to see the new Jets in action. No more clock mismangement, or bone-headed play calling, or coaching scared like Herm did last year against the Ravens. Herm was a likeable guy with good intentions and admirable work habits. But he couldn't coach a football team on Sunday. Here's to the new Jets..........and the new Chad.
Hey Ken,
Of all the Jets coverage you're the best, my man. Chad is definitely optimistic, you gotta love that about him. I think the team did a good job w/ the QB situation this preseason. We need to give Chad one more shot, he's certainly shown his value in our W:L differential when he's in the game vs Vinny or Brooks. It might be a long year though, so many ?-marks with 2 rookies on the OL, a weird collection of D-linemen for the 3-4 alignment, not to mention behind #51 we have very average speed at LB, the same old problems at CB, and probably least important - pretty ordinary receivers and an old CMart. Wow, that's a long list. The only thing I feel real confident about is Ben Graham and Westoff's specials!
After major surgery you just don't know how you'll recover until you’re in a game taking real hits. In the past, Chad echoed this uncertainty with the press and had his arm strength questioned all season. Perception becomes reality and every mistake was blamed on his weak throws. It seems that this time around he’s avoiding being vague and wants to stop the endless speculation about his arm by proactively saying it won’t be a problem. This is contrary to Chad’s personality which is to avoid commenting with force on something that’s still up in the air. It looks to me like he’s learning the PR game by quashing one story line (injury) and redirecting to a new story (QB competition with Ramsey, which he knows he’ll win).
Thanks for the update. I remember two years ago, when Chad was a great leader. His leadership took the Jets from a long history of embarrassment and gave us a few years of Success - ask Indianapolis (41-0 in the playoffs). Funny, his arm strength wasn't a problem when he was healthy. He did complete over 65% of his passes against all those defensive geniuses trying to stop him.
I hope he is as ready as he says. As a season ticket holder, my favorite seasons were when Chad was under center. I know the odds are against him. Just one thought for Jet fans. IF Chad can come back, how much more fun will the Jets be to watch this year? Think about it.
Am definitely rooting for him-hoping he can come back and be the old Chad
Good to hear about Chad. Always liked his fire. Competition is good for everybody, and there certainly should be competiton for the Jets QB spot. Now, while I don't think they should have drafted Leinart, why was his arm strength such an issue? Chad before injury didn't exactly gun the ball, and he did OK. Regarding the CB position mentioned above, Dyson was a nice pickup.
No snarkies for Ken Berger, ever!
I remember that at the time of Chad's second surgery it was said that it wasn't nearly as invasive as the first surgery, so I'm kind of wondering why everyone is treating it so delicately and the pundits are saying there's a chance he won't be ready for the season. If there's anything that I've learned about Chad Pennington in the years he's been a Jet it's that telling him he can't do something just fires him up more. He has something to prove and he won't rest until he proves it. Count me in among the ones rooting for his comeback.
Berg,
Count me as one who enjoys the thought of a healthy Pennington, however, if his arm strength is an actual issue as it has for 3 seasons now....well bring on Ramsey and hope Clemens can be a rocket in NY. Just remember that once teams figure Pennington out they jam the outside and force Pennington to throw over the middle and he doesn't have the arm strength or shown it, that he can feed the ball into a tight spot in a soft zone. Mangini should know he gameplanned for it!
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