Predicting the future
If not for the post-Katrina Saints, the Jets would have easily been this year's feel good story in the NFL. Rookie head coach, rookie offensive coordinator with the surname Schottenheimer, no run offense, no run defense. But, as usual, the Chad Pennington media lovefest stole the off-season, pre-season, regular season, and post-season headlines.
I am a season-ticket holder who shows up to every home game sporting a number 10 replica jersey. I love the guy, I really do. There's a lot to admire about him - nothing flashy about his game, steady play (200 yards, 1 td, int every game), white guy from a slack college program, etc. etc. With 2006 being his first completely healthy season since being named starter after Vinny "the Guinea" Testaverde wore out his welcome on his first tour of duty with the Jets and, at age 31, this was an important year for Chad's progression as a bonafide, NFL-caliber QB. There was a time when Penn was compared to Joe Montana for his accuracy and guile. Not anymore. Even after this unexpectedly successful season, one thing is clear to me: Chad Pennington will never lead the Jets to the Super Bowl. The Jets offense will never have a complete passing game with Chad throwing 6 yard slants to Coles and 4 yard button-hooks to Cotchery. They desperately need a dynamic, game-changing back to carry the load on offense because Schottenheimer's Pennington-modified offense will never be able to get the jets beyond the first or second round of the playoffs. Not to say that teams haven't won Super Bowls without a high-powered passing game, but those other elements (defense, running game) will never come together in the Chad era because the Jets won't be bad enough to draft a stud or two in consecutive years.
The Eric Mangini system is complex and unique, which will give the Jets a fighting chance in every game for years to come. However, with Chad Pennington at the helm, the franchise will be limited to the same story every year - gitty team that can make some noise in the early rounds of the playoffs. The Patriots have had similar teams with the same system as the Jets currently have in place. Really hate to say it, but because Brady can effectively throw the ball down field, the Pats offense will always one-up Gang Green. Chad, because of his incentive-laden contract for this season, is due to earn $6million next season. Is it time to turn the offense over to Kellen Clemens?
Anyhow, the Jets played a much closer game against the Pats than the score actually indicated. Mangini blamed the loss on poor execution. That assessment was absolutely correct. If the Jets had any shot of a win against NE, they needed to execute near perfection. Oh well. Thanks for a surprisingly good season, and lets go ... Chargers?
Hey Speck, is this how blogs are supposed to work? I feel like I just wrote a "parting shot" for next Sunday morning's edition of Sports Reporters. Was I supposed to ask interesting, thought-provoking questions?
I am a season-ticket holder who shows up to every home game sporting a number 10 replica jersey. I love the guy, I really do. There's a lot to admire about him - nothing flashy about his game, steady play (200 yards, 1 td, int every game), white guy from a slack college program, etc. etc. With 2006 being his first completely healthy season since being named starter after Vinny "the Guinea" Testaverde wore out his welcome on his first tour of duty with the Jets and, at age 31, this was an important year for Chad's progression as a bonafide, NFL-caliber QB. There was a time when Penn was compared to Joe Montana for his accuracy and guile. Not anymore. Even after this unexpectedly successful season, one thing is clear to me: Chad Pennington will never lead the Jets to the Super Bowl. The Jets offense will never have a complete passing game with Chad throwing 6 yard slants to Coles and 4 yard button-hooks to Cotchery. They desperately need a dynamic, game-changing back to carry the load on offense because Schottenheimer's Pennington-modified offense will never be able to get the jets beyond the first or second round of the playoffs. Not to say that teams haven't won Super Bowls without a high-powered passing game, but those other elements (defense, running game) will never come together in the Chad era because the Jets won't be bad enough to draft a stud or two in consecutive years.
The Eric Mangini system is complex and unique, which will give the Jets a fighting chance in every game for years to come. However, with Chad Pennington at the helm, the franchise will be limited to the same story every year - gitty team that can make some noise in the early rounds of the playoffs. The Patriots have had similar teams with the same system as the Jets currently have in place. Really hate to say it, but because Brady can effectively throw the ball down field, the Pats offense will always one-up Gang Green. Chad, because of his incentive-laden contract for this season, is due to earn $6million next season. Is it time to turn the offense over to Kellen Clemens?
Anyhow, the Jets played a much closer game against the Pats than the score actually indicated. Mangini blamed the loss on poor execution. That assessment was absolutely correct. If the Jets had any shot of a win against NE, they needed to execute near perfection. Oh well. Thanks for a surprisingly good season, and lets go ... Chargers?
Hey Speck, is this how blogs are supposed to work? I feel like I just wrote a "parting shot" for next Sunday morning's edition of Sports Reporters. Was I supposed to ask interesting, thought-provoking questions?
posted by Dick Dastardly at
10:12 AM
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