Chad Pennington: Plan is to play again

Quarterback Chad Pennington has been missed this season. There is no question about that.

Even if you are big Chad Henne fan and realize that the transition to Henne was necessary, you have to realize the Dolphins have not gotten the type of quarterback play this year they enjoyed last year.

That's not a knock on Henne, it's just that his 10 TDs and 12 INTs and 59.3 completion percentage and 73.8 QB rating don't compare favorably to the 19 TDs and 7 INTs with a 67.4 completion percentage and 97.4 QB rating Pennington posted last season.

Even folks that expected Henne's stronger arm to deliver more long passes has to concede that Pennington had a 7.7 yard per attempt average while Henne's has delivered 6.43 yards per attempt. Henne's longest completion this year is 67 yards. Pennington's longest completion in 2008 was 80 yards.

So the statistics say Pennington played better for the Dolphins even as reality states the change from one QB to the next would have become necessary eventually had Pennington not suffered a dislocated shoulder Sept. 27.

Now it is Henne's team for the foreseeable future.

But a couple of questions remain about Pennington.

First, is he going to play again after undergoing a third surgery on his throwing shoulder?

In this interview conducted with WSAZ-3 in Huntington, W. Va., Pennington seems very optimistic about continuing his pro career.

"My plan is certainly to play again in the NFL," Pennington says at one point.

He is proceeding with his rehabilitation and hopes to have full range of motion of his throwing arm by Jan. 1. Then he'll begin his routine breakneck offseason training regimen and "get ready to try out for some teams and throw for teams," says Pennington, who is an unrestricted free agent past this season.

Pennington is ready to move on if he has to. But he doesn't discount the possibility of returning to the Dolphins, which obviously means he doesn't discount coming back as a backup, because he knows the starting job is already filled.

(No, there will be no competition next year if Pennington comes back. The job belongs to Henne. So don't bother posting those comments as they are not based on reality.)

I think having Pennington as a backup would be great. He's experienced. He's a leader. He's a team player and plays his role -- whatever that is -- perfectly.

The issue I have is that the Dolphins don't seem to be making the most of his abilities now. I know I earlier this season, I agreed with coach Tony Sparano about not having Pennington on the sidelines. It is a Dolphins commandment or something that injured players, those on IR, aren't allowed to travel or be on the sideline with teammates. Most don't even attend the games at all.

But I think the time has come to make the exception with Pennington.

Look, Henne has had a couple of games now where he's basically melted down in a very quick and ugly span.

The Buffalo game was one such incident. Tennessee was another.

My belief is it would benefit Henne to have Pennington calming him down, talking him through his progressions and reads. I think it would only help to add that resource that neither QB coach David Lee nor offensive coordinator Dan Henning can provide because neither have been on the field, rushed by large, angry men anytime lately.

Having Pennington talk to Henne and pour confidence and logic and right-thinking into him at a time the game is going bonkers might be a help.

The idea was considered and rejected by Sparano earlier. At a time when the Dolphins are calling for all hands on deck as they push for a playoff berth, maybe it's time to reconsider.

Follow me on twitter. Think of it as a belated Christmas gift to me. 

Comments

[DyingBreed]

NJ,

The only thing Gator about you is the smell of your breath and underarms. LOL

[EmoFinFan]

Breaking: Meyer In; Henning Out.

[Urban Meyer]

LOL . Not nj but you can keep on thinking that. It's Better for me .

[DyingBreed]

NJ, that was a nice try though but this is Hurricane country on this blog. You're lucky most put up with your gator breath.

You and Meyer do have something in common. He's stepping down from coaching and obviously you stepped down from using mouth wash long ago! ROTFLMAO@You NJ.............

[Urban Meyer]

According to ESPN Urban Meyer has gone to the hospital for chest pains several times since the SEC Championship. Espn also states that urban meyer has a heart muscle Defect.

[DyingBreed]

NJ,

I only wished you could learn to cloak that Gator breath the same way you stealth your movements through this blog. LOL

[Urban Meyer]

Dude , Keep thinking i'm nj. It's hilarious.

[DyingBreed]

OK NJ,

Now post the link on that info it seems only you have access too. Bet you cant can you? Typical NJ, lies. Make up stuff on the fly and self verifies it as truth. ROTFLMAO@NJ lies!

[ALoco]

ONE REASON I COME HERE TO THIS BLOG IS TO LEARN ENGLISH FROM RESPECTED POSTERS BUT LATLEY I HAVE NOTICED THAT NJ PHIN AND DYING BREED MAKING ME ASHMED TO COME HERE. ANY ONE ELSE AGREE W/ME THAT THE LEVEL OF DIRT IS RISING ?

PS...TIME FOR MEATBALL SUB .

[Urban Meyer]

Hey Nj , now I'm you. Dude , Go to ESPN. No lies here unlike you're made up homophobe lies.

[DyingBreed]

NJ,

All the fellas say hi and thank your moms for all of her heads up contributions. The gift of giving wouldnt be the same without her. LOL

[DyingBreed]

Then post the link NJ. LOL

[DyingBreed]

ALoco Buddy,

Learning to sling mud is all part of the english learning process. Hangout with me and you'll learn to go toe to toe with the best of them. LOL

[Supermike13]

Supermike13 commented on 'Chad Pennington: Plan is to play again'

2009-12-26 17:14:49 -0600

Thank you guys. I think this dying bread guy is an idiot. I did not post that there must be more than one supermike13 but how?

[SteveO]

Fake Urban Meyer is right. Espn. com . Urban Meyer Steps down at Florida. Read Story.

[Hennething]

Wow.... The comments here are starting to get uhhhhh. Childish.
Anyone else agree. I guess some people just never learn that you have to grow up sometime. Right dyingbreed and urban meyer?

[DyingBreed]

OK NJ,

All the mudslinging has me yearning for a shower. I'll be back later wearing my prophylactic suit. I know it surprises you I spell the word so well. But you've always been easy that way. ROTFLMAO..............

[DyingBreed]

SuperMike its NJphinfan posing as you. LOL

[FPLD]

Supermike it's probably aloco .

[DyingBreed]

Urban Meyer according to Espn:

Meyer has been to the hospital at least twice since suffering chest pains after the SEC title game, a Florida source told ESPN. The heart problems are stress related, not congenital, a source close to the situation told ESPN.

This suggests to me it could also be Tebow related. Telling you guys that kind of coach player relationship they have is almost unheard of. It really turns my stomach because it feels so "un-natural."

[DyingBreed]

Meyers is suffering from a broken heart because Tebow's leaving. LOL

[Joe from atlanta]

Thank God for Google. Makes everybody a want to be Genius.

[DyingBreed]

I once had a ex-girlfriend that made me feel that way but never a guy. Trying to tell you guys there maybe something more to this, though the thought sickens me. LOL

[Oh Brother]

If you want to win, give Ted Ginn the ball!!

Ooops, I meant to say that if you want the opposing team to win, give Ted Ginn the ball!!!

[OverseasFan]

Sounds kind of nuts to not use all your availble tools to win a game. I wonder if Penny was ordered not to attend. Penny doesn't strike me as the type of guy that won't travel to a game even when he is hurt.

This actually makes me quite angry if he is being told not to attend games. Biggest knock on Parcells is that he is a control freak. So he must have hired more control freaks. I mean really, why not let Penny travel and HELP win games by any means necessary?

[DyingBreed]

Its OSF the redundant freak. Speaking of control freaks Ive read your threads and posts in the Miami Dolphins forum. Go back there where you belong.

[D-dense]

I've been wondering why he wasn't out there helping Henne. Sounds like reverse logic to me! Marino had a mentor in Strock, why not have him participate? for God's sake, he's getting paid!

[DyingBreed]

I respect what the trifecta does. For the good or bad of it, I dont get personally rewarded nor get fired over any decisions they make.

Im still loving the fact the trifecta isnt making any personal opinions on how I should run my household. Football people are paid to make football decisions.

Clearly the inmates arent running the institution. Thats the way it is and thats the way it will always be. Any boss ran by the employees wont be boss for long.

[Edsmeke]

Henne, Pennington, how about Tyler Thigpen!!

[Jimmy Jam]

Dammit. Who the F is using my name? Tard.

I hate it when writers use stats to prove their points. It's crap. Too lazy to compare the realities of the games. Stats lie.

Stats, for instance, say that Tedd Ginn is a good return man. Stats say that he averages almost 12 yards per reception. Stats say that Ted Ginn is a good KR and WR. Reality says he is not.

Stats may say Henne isn't all that good but...

[carlito from golfito]

Hello everybody.

Go Dolphins.

I am worried about Andre Johnson. He torched Miami last year. Good thing Matt Schaub is a Pansy, a couple good hits and he should go out of the game pretty easy.

[aquaandorange]

Pleeeeeeeeease win tomorrow!!!!

[Bigwillystyle]

Dyingbread. You have no class and highly annoying. What are you 14? Some of us want to read about football and the occasional humor from Aloco and Carlito. Please go away.

[ALoco]

Dyingbreed more like 10 . He go to pogo.com to play kiddie games.

[Wildcat54]

Who do u guys think we should get in the first round..Brandon spikes mAybe if he comes into the draft.anywon agree

[DyingBreed]

Hey little willie,

Just put away the crayons and nobody get hurts. Its all fun and games until someone loses an Odinseye. Oh wait, that may not be a bad idea.

On the more serious side, little willie it aint my fault your mom snatched you out of toys r us kicking and screaming. Your nibbling up the wrong ankle bones shorty. LOL

[DyingBreed]

ALoco,

I dont remember peeing in your sandbox son. Now be a good little boy and go change your pissy underwear. This time shower first, you're embarassing your mother and I.

[aquaandorange]

Some of these posts are like bad draft picks. Mandi please take nj fin off this site for rascist comments!!

[aquaandorange]

Sorry mandi . i meant dying breed and his rascist comments.

[dopfanintoronto]

just a reminder ... 3 weeks into the current season, the dolphins were 0-3. Pennington wasn't able to generate long throws. Henne came and has produced a 7-4 record. Give Henne one of those losses by the Pennington-led Dolphins and we have the inside track for a playoff spot @ 8-6. To compare Pennington last year to this year's Henne is not an appropriate framework to measure Henne. Remember that the 80-yd catch was generated mostly after a short pass.

Mando, I like how you've engaged your readers to discuss things but at times, the data you provide don't paint the full picture. Thanks for keeping us all interested though.

[macca]

Would love to see penny stay as a back up. I hope he realises his days as a 16 game starter are done due to his body. would be great for chad h and excellent relief coming off the bench if need be

[Grondz]

I would love to see Pennington on the sideline. The man is going to make a heck of a coach some day so why not tap that valuable resource.

[beerndrums]

Miami better win today.

[Ace]

Sorry mandi . i meant dying breed and his rascist comments.

Posted by: aquaandorange | December 27, 2009 at 02:16 AM

aqua,

I believe this is the reason that dying cannot post in blue anymore. He has not posted in blue since his reprimand. My guess.

[Ace]

I guess I missed all the fun between NJ, Odinseye and Dying yesterday. LOL

[Bermuda Ray]

I think the dolphins should take a look at Thigpen in the wildcat .
He has a strong arm and can run.
I do not see Pennington returning or White being traded or cut.
So lets see what Thigpen can do in the next two games in the Wildcat.

[KCShulaFan]

Can Henne drive? yes. Does he drive well in the field of drivers? not yet. Will I let him take the wheel of my car for the next few years? YOU BET! I cannot keep starting over again. I'll put my stock in Henne because he can throw. Nuances and touch will come. Talent and success are developed and learned. Look at Ryan and Flacco. They have stepped back a tad from their prior year rookie seasons. 3 years on the field full season minimum. Then we hold him to account for 4th season success/fail. Only exception in NFL histroy was Marino.

[Paul Colby]

Do you ever proofread what you write? It appears to be written by a middle schooler. "Even folks that expected Henne's stronger arm to deliver more long passes has to concede ..." "I know I earlier this season, I agreed with coach Tony Sparano about not having Pennington on the sidelines." Please, in the interest of your craft, take a few night classes and learn proper grammar. Either that or copy edit your work before publishing.

[boulderfinfan]

Mando, I don't agree with your sentiment that henne melted in the titans game. He brought us back to tie the game. I do agree having pennington on the side lines would be good. But pennington could start for a lot of teams. Why be a backup?

[x]

LMFAO @ Paul Colby

[H8dpats]

Let's dispense with the Mando bashing, the guy brings us Fin news every day which we all read with enthusiasm! Time for some Fin Pride and Texan smack talk! So let's bring it on and TCB.

[carlito from golfito]

Schaub is soft

[Kevin]

Any1 know a website that i can watch the do;phin game on or a link to one please?

[aquaandorange]

Bermuda I agree about thigpen and let's have pat white catch some passes against Pittsburgh in the must win game!! Go fins!!!!

[aquaandorange]

People making hurful comments against mando dhould be ashamed.

[aquaandorange]

Wishes

1. Tuna helps Sparano with game mngt and clock mngt etc. 2. Get Sperry back involved. 3. Throw to Camarillo more. 4. Do something different with porter and Taylor on defense. 5. Use Nate Jones more on the blitz. 6. Use Ricky less in the 4th when he us tired. 7. A fake punt. 8. Please cover their tight end better. 9. Henne should scramble more. 10. Cover the freaking long play. 11. Give Clemons more time. 12. Pleeeease get a new punt returner!! 13. Air or out more!!! 14. WIN BABY WIN!!!!!!

[Wayne Fontes]

Lets go, Mando. Game day!

[John Valdes]

The Pat White pick was a giant mistake. He will not succeed in this league.
Sparano could use another QB coach on the sidelines. That would be Pennington, if only Sparano and Parcells would get over themselves.
Even a slacker like Jeff Darlington could figure this out.

[Mike]

"neither QB coach David Lee nor offensive coordinator Dan Henning can provide because neither have been on the field, rushed by large, angry men anytime lately."

If this means they are not capable of coaching up their QB then they are the wrong men for the job. Pennington is not the answer. You can bring up Strock and Marino, but the situation was completely different. Strock was not a starter, and was not injured.

Henne is going through the growing pains of pressing in crunch time. Typical for young players without much talent around them. The answer is in personal, not coaching.

[NJ PHIN FAN]

LMFAO. Hey Dying buffoon or Should i say MISTY. So i was Urban meyer Last Night ? Really ! You're even more stupid than i thought. LMAO ! Here i 'am out last night with my brother and friends who's in town for christmas ( it was his last night here) and you're talking to somebody thinking it's me ? What a Buffoon !!! LMFAO. Fyi . I can't stand Florida. I root for my big east alma mater ONLY . IDIOT !!!!!