Pennington: 'Not closing the book,' on career

Former starting quarterback Chad Pennington, now out for the season on injured reserve, is not closing the door on returning to the NFL, or the Dolphins for that matter, following what will be his third throwing shoulder surgery in the coming days.

Pennington, who does not discount that the injury could jeapardize his career, nonetheless plans to go through a rehabilitative process following the procedure. And if the process progresses successfully, Pennington is open to trying to resume his career.

"What I have to focus on is focus on preparing myself for surgery a third time," Pennington said. "And that's a battle in of itself. And then after the surgery, talk to with Dr. [James] Andrews and talk with our staff here to develop a plan to get back to get back to normal -- to be able to do everyday things, to be able to brush your teeth, brush your hair.

"And then after that, move into the athletic part of what I'm required to do as a professional athlete and professional quarterback. I'm going to take those steps ... and once I cross each bridge, I'll move on to the next one."

Pennington, unsigned beyond this season, is aware he might have played his final game for Miami. The Dolphins are moving on to youngster Chad Henne as their starter. But Pennington, who previously talked about staying with a team that gave him an opportunity to compete for a starting job, isn't closing the door on a return to Miami.

"I'm certainly not going to close the book," he said. "The book has been tried to be closed on me before and I kept it open. So I'm not going to close the book on myself. That would be doing a disservice to myself ... At the same time, as an athlete, you always feel like there's some unfinished business and you want to give yourself an opportunity to see what's going to happen.

"You guys have been around this league long enough to not put anyone out of a team's plans because you never know how things unfold," Pennington said. " We'll wait and see. I've enjoyed being here. I've enjoyed being around everyone in the organization."

Pennington said he will fly to Alabama Thursday and have surgery on his right shoulder. The surgery will be performed by Dr. James Andrews. He confirmed he suffered a dislocated his right shoulder. That caused damage to the anterior capsule.

It will be Pennington's third shoulder surgery on his throwing shoulder.

As for new new starter Chad Henne, he is not lacking for confidence. He is convinced that making his first start against Buffalo on Sunday is an easier assignment than coming off the bench last week against San Diego.

"Oh, definitely," Henne said. "Anytime you get all the reps during practice, you prepare more, you're prepared as the starter. No doubt about it, you're going to be a lot better off during the week and more comfortable on Sunday."

The hope, some would say the expectation, is that because Henne has a stronger arm than Pennington, the Dolphins will be able to maximize Ted Ginn Jr. now on deep passes.

"We're just going to go after it like any other week," Henne responded to that idea. "If it presents itself out there, deep ball threat or they give us the coverage to attack it, we'll hook up a couple of times. But if it's not there, I have to be smart with the ball and realize it's covered and check the ball down.

"It's definitely out there and I think a lot of our receivers can go one on one with guys and get the ball out there."

Comments

[SoiledBottom]

Dear Mr. NMDolphan

Its all about confidence.

Dan Marino had it.
Micheal Jordan had it.
Larry Bird had it.

I will not let them beat us.

Soiled :)

[The Red Sparrow]

henne will b fine, penny just needs to buy a pasta maker and crank himself out a new arm

[carlito from golfito]

Soiled Bottom,

You forget to say Henne have a confidence

[harricane]

I say that the Dolfins will pull it together for their fallen leader, Chad Pennington.

Its tough for a professional to see a teammate go down for the season. Its personal now.

This is more than a Division Opener more than a home opener. This is the real deal to spell the rest of the season. Get behind us or get out.

I see US getting it done !!

Yes, Carlito, T.O. is gonna cry.....when those diamonds get implanted in his neck ....

[NMDolphan]

Carlito -
Devin Hester and Earl Bennett are hardly "bum receivers". Not to mention Olsen at TE. These are pretty good receivers (not great, but...) that didn't have a good QB for the past couple of years (or decades! LOL). I can't even remember the guys name now, but that goes to show you how good he was. Oh yeah, his mane is Orton. I think he plays for some team from Denver now.
Anyways, I never said Henne wouldn't succeed, I merely said that we won't get away from the dinks and dunks for passing plays, because Henne lacks a "deep threat" receiver. He will probably connect a couple of times this year, but to scare anyone with our passing game, they will have to do a lot more than that.
I REALLY hope Henne succeeds!!

Go Phins!!!!

[Dolphins4life]

Hi Guys
Been busy running my business...
Sundays game at the Murph now Quallcom was freakin a big l;et down!

I expected more I expected the secondary to not get burned deep to get some sacks and for Ronnie to hold on to the BALL at all times, but especially when your about to score a TD. You have to focus and see that through.

Hey well thats my brief 2 cents, because I know this is last weeks news but...Dolphins what the hell is going on!?

[harricane]

Red Sparrow- What a disrespectful arse u r

[carlito from golfito]

NM,

Earl Bennet and Johnny Knox are not good receivers, they are just guys. Hester is ok, but he is a cb convert, not yet good receiver. Olsen is TE not wr I was not talking about him, even though he never really done anything great in NFL.

[carlito from golfito]

Red Sparrow,

How many touchdown you throw in NFL?

[harricane]

Carlito my friend,

Hester & Olsen are our Canes brothers.

[NMDolphan]

I will not let them beat us.

Soiled :)

Posted by: SoiledBottom

Thanks, Soiled!
I am now counting on you to win this game for us!! I knew I could count on you. Can you catch a long pass? If so, can you teach Ginn?
LOL
Give it all you got!!!!

:)

Go Phins!!! (and Go Soiled!!!)

[carlito from golfito]

Harricane,

I know they are Canes, but lets be real. Hester has done alot in his short career, but he not established at wr yet. Greg Olsen good TE in NFL, but not great yet like Mr. Gonzalez or Witten.

[harricane]

Carlito,

Yep not yet, but they R all heart. Olsen has very good hands, especially on 3rd down, he does not fail. Hester, a fast bess in time, plus his punt retirns....WOW. Make a Cane feel good....hhmmm

[SoiledBottom]

Dear Mr. NMDolphan

"I am now counting on you to win this game for us!! I knew I could count on you. Can you catch a long pass? If so, can you teach Ginn?
LOL
Give it all you got!!!!

:)

Go Phins!!! (and Go Soiled!!!)"

Do to many years of hard liquor, ugly women and trailer park livin I can be of service no more to my Miami Dolphins.

But in spirite of affection I have a team poster right next to my Nascar shrine in the bedroom. The old lady says it looks cool from the way the light hits off it from the neon light beer sign I have hanging on the wall.

Soiled :)

[NMDolphan]

Hester has done alot in his short career, but he not established at wr yet. Greg Olsen good TE in NFL, but not great yet like Mr. Gonzalez or Witten.

Posted by: carlito from golfito

The key words here are "yet".
As I said, they weren't seen as good receivers because they didn't have a great QB that could get it to them. Now they have that. Watch and see how long it takes for them to "break out" this year. It is already happening.
Hester and Olsen are very young in NFL terms - plenty of time to become great players. It starts this year for them, now that they have a QB that is worth something.
Watch a Bears game this year, and you will see what I am talking about.

Go Phins!!!

[harricane]

soiled

why r we so blue?

[CHAMP]

WE WILL DESTROY THE BILLS AND THE DIRTY JETS AND HENNE WILL THE HERO OF OUR LAND, SEA AND SEA W/ A STRONG ARM LIKE ME AND SMARE LIKE ME AND BEAUTIFUL LIKE MY GIRL FRIEND .I WOULD GIVE HENNE MT GIRL FRIEND FOR THE NIGHT BEFORE GAME TO COOK FOR HIM AND CLEAN HIS ROOM AND ...............TO MAKE SURE HE'S READY TO TURN TO INTO LITTLE GIRL NAMED MARIA

[NMDolphan]

Soiled -
Is it a Schlitz or a Keystone Light neon beer sign?
None the less, I appreciate your commitment to the team for all those years. They could use more fans like you!

Go Phins!!!

[carlito from golfito]

NM,

That my whole point. You need learn to read better maybe. I'm saying Cutler and other good qb make average wr good and good great. Cutler turning no name like Bennet and Knox to good wr and making Hester star. I'm saying Henne have chance to do this with people like Bess and Hartline and maybe butterfinger ginn, but maybe all is lost with him.

[NMDolphan]

Carlito -
I am trying to read your posts and keep up and understand. Sorry if I am confusing you. IMO, Hester and Bennett are already good receivers, you are just seeing it now that Cutler is there.
Cutler could come to Miami and it wouldn't make much of a difference for Ginn. Maybe for Hartline (who is my favorite draft pick this year) or even Bess, but not "butterfingers Ginn".

Go Phins!!!

Gotta run now!
Hasta manana

[ALoco]

JUST WIN THE F...ING GAME.WE CAN TALK ABOUT STARS LATER.LET'S NOT FUMBLE THE FOOTBALL "FASANO" AND CATCH THE BALL "GIN" AND DEFEND THE BALL "CROWDER" AND TACKLE THE WR "WILSON"AND NOT CHEER EVERY LITTLE DUMB PLAY ANY HIGH SCHOOL KID CAN DO "THE HEAD COACH" AND DL PLAY LIKE ONE"ALL THESE STUDS ".

NOW I AM TO MAKE A MEAT BALL SUB W/PROVOLONE .

[sammo]

Carlito your smackdown of cacajoe as you call it had me LMFAO! very funny my friend. i 2 think henne will come up big this weekend for several reasons. he is now THEE guy. it's his time now. miami will open the playbook now that henne is in charge. buffalos secondary is beat up and henne has to be licking his chops to shred them. To chad pennington thank you for last season. you brought excitement to many miami fans that we haven't had in a long time. i'm proud of the fact you had your best season of your embattled career as a member of the miami dolphins. you are a class act good sir.

[Dolphins4life]

Armando

Stick a fork in the Pennington because hes DONE.

OK Tyler is in the house running the wildcat' this might get interesting as he plays well in the spread so it should carry over into the Cat. If he gets on the field of course...Henne lets see how much hes learned since holding a clip boad/being on the sidelines, these last 13-14 or soo months. He better develop a better cadence and get in sync with the his linemen...how many false starts do you think the Dolphins are called for this Sunday? O/U is at five. lol

[harricane]

Armando

Stick a fork in the Pennington because hes DONE.

Posted by: Dolphins4life | September 30, 2009 at 07:00 PM

And you call yourself a fan 4 life? Wow. No respect.

[suzy]

i don't want tobe dolphin4life girl friend or boyfriend for that matter .if i get sick he would put a fork in me .

[harricane]

yea, & he has never played ball either on any level. anyone that has had to have surgery for an injury and keeps coming back? no respect and a minority poser on here....

[sammo]

Dolphins4life probably always gets picked to pull the plug. poor granny.........

[harricane]

lol sammo- & he likes it 2....

[suzy]

when people make ugly comments re chad.p iask myself ,do these people had any one to teach them any thing about life or they are just low life by trade ?

[sammo]

i can just see it now. 20 mins after the deed is done he is backing up a moving truck and grabbing whatever he can while telling himself “ granny would have wanted it this way”.

[Standley23]

I'm think Pennigton is done. I have 2 surgeies on my right shoulder, and for me the shoulder just gets weeker each time. The arm strength is never the same and I'm 33 years old. I would love to just play catch with my kid. I couldn't imagine throwing footballs in the NFL. Buy I'm not a pro athlete with nothing to but rehab all day. It's gonna be hard and with Henne taking over Miami will soon find out that his services won't be needed next year.

[Standley23]

I just want to know who is gonna be the ofensive captan now that #10 is done. My pick #23 R. Brown? He has left it all on the field so far this year.

[carlito from golfito]

how dare you bash Henne before he get chance... shame on you to call youself fin fan

[odinseye]

I've been waiting a long time to see Henne get his chance.
However, I'm seriously concerned with Dan Hennings lack of B@lls in the play calling dept. thus far this year.
It wouldn't be so bad except for the fact that he turns completely chicken sheit at CRITICAL junctures.
I see the Pennington injury only exacerbating the current trends.
Mr. Henning...PUH-LEASE...strap a pair on, have a Rum and Coke pre-game, and let the boys play some football!!!!

[JUSTIN CREDIBLE]

I was looking at how GINNs stats fair to ALL WRs and it's not bad.

14.1 YARDS a CATCH.

EVERY BODY WITH 50 CATCHS AND MORE.

There are 4 guys with more than 1.5 yards more than him.11 more than him within that 1.5.

ANDRE JOHNSON had less.

BOLDEN had less.

He is in his 2nd year in this system and played with a QB with a weak arm.

[finfan72]

I wonder if that 3 second buzzer that was so brilliant in training camps is hurting this team.

I was at the Indy game and counted off during pass plays. Penne got that ball out within 3s almost every play. The receivers going downfield needed 2-3 seconds just to get past the press into the 2nd level. They were just breaking open and Penne would be looking for the checkdown.

Furthermore, how can an oline learn to sustain blocks if they are being whistled off at 3s?

One thing I did like from Henne. He stood tall in that pocket and stepped into the heart of the line to pass. He didn't look timid to stand in there. The great passers all step forward into pockets and let it develop around them. I'm not saying he is or will be great, but at least he wasn't dancing and fumbling like Beck.

Posted by: doug | September 29, 2009 at 09:54 AM

[Downer12]

Chad P will be missed every sunday...he was the heart and soul of the Miami Dolphins.I hope he stays around Miami to either coach or maybe even play.

I think the coaching staff needs to open up the play book and stop holding some players back.They have to have faith in the players, so that the players have faith in themselves.I understand that some players just haven't showed up...Ginn,Wilson,Crowder,Fasano,and Bell.I haven't really seen much from Allen as well.I think Hartline and Bess could even do more with more playing time and a chance to shine.I think we need to come out and surpirse the Bills by opening up the passing game...then we can hit them with our boys Ronnie and Ricky.I'm tired of running the ball on 3 and 6...just to get a damn FG.We need more then that to win with our defense playing the way it has.So I say let them let Henne throw it and lets see what happens...it can't be worse then everything else that has already happen this year...we need a WIN!!!!

Much love Phin Fans...Keep your head up.

[Akarojo]

Much love to penne, now it's henne's chance to shine, we need a big divisional win this Sunday, we can still make a turnaround

[odinseye]

Ginn's what were working with. Like it or not, he's all we got. He's going to have all the chances in the world to prove himself this year.
I think we should put him back on returns and except the fact that he'll be a decent No. 2 once we get our true No. 1 in next years draft.
Looking at it objectively, I think were one standout reciever away from having a top tier corps.

[JUSTIN CREDIBLE]

THE ANTI ARMANDO.

Let's take a look at what good things can happen.

1. How many DBs can run with him.
2. Now he is running better routes.
3. He can fake deep and stopand turn.
4. With the passes coming faster it will give him a chance to make people miss.

As for a #1 wide out.
He's being groomed like our QB,DEs,CBs,and
O-LINE we will have growing pains but they will grow.

[BigD]

I have been a Dolphins fan all my life and since Dan Marino, no one person on this team commanded as much respect as Chad Pennington. In my opinion the Dolphins should have drafted this young man out of Marshall, but the Jets beat them to the punch. He is not the most gifted QB, but he made up for it with intelligence and heart. He will likely battle back from this injury and I wish him the best in his recovery. I just hope he does not make the same foolish mistake I did and cripple himself for life. It is only a game...

[BigD]

On a brighter note the Dolphins have a chance to turn this around with a BIG win this Sunday. One thing Chad Henne brings to the table that Chad Pennington did not is a deep threat. He has the arm to go down the field and loosen up the defense for that run game. Not that the run game was lacking in their losses. We need to find a way to score points and play tenacious Defense. Both of which have been lacking....

[BigD]

Go Fins!!!!!

[JUSTIN CREDIBLE]

LOOK

First and ten the FINS have the ball for the first time and it's a 60 yard bomb to GINN.

GOTTA love it.

[BILL PARCELLS' SEXY DAUGHTER]

CHAD I'M HOT FOR YOU...MARRY ME.

[JUSTIN CREDIBLE]

PARCELLS DAUGHTER

YOU LIKE GUYS THAT LOOK LIKE DWIBBS.

[JUSTIN CREDIBLE]

SORRY IT's the JOSE CUERVO.

[ALoco]

i am going to put my lamb leg in the smoker with my secret recipe .it will be ready in 20 hours from now when my girl friend comes home to make me some salsa.
go fins turn the table on the world and fasano please don't fumble any more .

[Ace]

Justin you drinking Cuervo tonight? I had many after the phins loss.

[Ace]

Sammo/Odinseye what up? Where have you been Odinseye? I had visions of you dead in some night club or something.

[ALoco]

ace is the angel of this blog

[carlito from golfito]

I don't like cuervo. I no big tequila fan but when I do drink it I like to take the clear tequila.

If Dolphins lose on sunday I willing to drink anything though. Lock your liquor cabinet.

[carlito from golfito]

Aloco is panchovilla of this blog

[Ace]

Aloco you meant to say I am the devil of this blog. That is the truth.

[Ace]

I am with you carilto, when they lose the bottles end up empty.

[carlito from golfito]

Ace,

but no liquor can quench thirst for dolphins win

[ALoco]

ace,
i never meant to say you the devil,i am just teasing you all this time.no reason to fight but we can pretend we hateeach for the fun of it if you want or we can have a fight w/carlito for no reason .

[ALoco]

we hate eah other

[Marc]

Aloco , carlito , cuban menace is the social parasite of this blog.

[ALoco]

even the bengales won against steelers