By Tom Rock
In a remarkable turn of philosophy, Eric Mangini produced the X-rays and MRI films of Chad Pennington’s right ankle at today’s press conference, explaining in detail the exact nature of the injury and giving a definitive timeline for his return.
C’mon, Rock. Snap out of it. Of course the Jets coach revealed little information, other than confirming that Pennington’s injury is, indeed, to his right ankle. “We’ll review it during the course of the week like we do every injury situation,” Mangini said. “This is the same process for everybody that’s injured.”
Mangini was asked if he could call the injury day-to-day, week-to-week, or long-term. “As soon as he’s ready to go, he’ll be ready to go.”
No one has said whether Kellen Clemens will be the starting quarterback or not when the Jets play their next game. But there were some clear signs that the media is ready for him. About 20 reporters and camerapeople were camped around Clemens’ locker today, waiting to get comment from the player who could possibly might maybe will play on Sunday. Have we learned nothing from the Jacob Bender hype?
"Oh man," Clemens said, perhaps imitating the very same look of shock and surprise he had when he had to grab his helmet and rush into the game on Sunday. "I guess I'm not getting to my locker."
The sea parted for him, however. There was even a loud round of applause from the press when he came in the room, though later on, no one there would admit that they were actually doing the cheering. Those that did tried to cover up their embarrassment by saying they were actually cheering for Pennington's bravery. That seems to be happening a lot.
Just for clarification and because everything is take so literally: There was no cheering for Clemens. It's called drawing a parallel.
Anyway, yes, it’s looking more and more like Clemens will get the start. Pennington wasn’t available to the media today, but he was in the building attending meetings in the morning. Kellen said he spoke with Chad but they never discussed injuries. Uh-huh.
Clemens did have a good line, saying that he hoped the cheers that accompanied his 2007 debut were not directed toward Chad. He said his wife was watching on TV at home and she was too busy crying over Chad’s injury to even notice that her husband had come into the game. Someone pointed out that she may have been crying because her husband had to go out and play behind the leaky offensive line.
By the way, if you are a masochistic Jets fan who has the NFL Network, you’re in luck! The channel is showing the Jets-Patriots game in a 90-minute format Tuesday night at 8 p.m. Enjoy!
Comments (19)
If you can QB sneek on 4th and short in 4th quarter why not in the 1st?. It did set a tone early that MAngini did not have the condidence to move less than a yard.
The argument was that you give Brady a shorter field and they did punt to inside the 10 and gained 30 yards but the way the D played it didn't matter. They say that the best D is not to give Brady the ball. Now we hear that the Pats may have been stealing D signals. If found guilty it would only cost them a draft pick (no games) so they probably think it's worth the trade.
Make no mistake the bone heads did cheer when Chad went down. There are a certain amount of Jet Fans like my nephew who think that Chad will never take us to the promise land and can't stand him. Myself i love him for his selfless spirt and recommending Cracker Barell.
Let's admit it: while Jets fans are very loyal, which is tough with this cursed team, and actually care, we are amongst one of the worst fanbases in the NFL. Booing Chad, for everything he's been through trying to come back and him actually playing well in the game, was a disgrace! I don't even like Chad as a QB and I felt sick to my stomach hearing the cheers for his injury. The back-up QB will always be the most popular player and I'm looking forward to seeing our future, Clemens, in action!
Tannenbaum, by the way, needs to take a hit. He totally mishandlded the Kendall situtaion (think we could use him?), he didn't do nearly enough to address the OL needs, our DL is awful (overpaid for a backup in Coleman), and doesn't have enough playmakers on either side of the ball. We need to trade Vilma and Robertson, good players in the wrong system.
It's going to be a long 4-12 season, folks.
Chad will NEVER take us to the promise land BUT you have to like him as a JET. He is the most admired QB we have had since Joe Willie. Kids wear the number 10 to school, they rarely wore the number of O Brien, Todd etc..
I am embarresed to be a Jet fan. Cheering Chad Pennington's injury is an absolute idiotic thing to do. Not only was he one of the few Jet players to be playing well Sunday, he has given his heart and soul to this franchise.
Now that explains everything (stealing our signals)I think the NFl should rule the game a forfit and award the win to us! It's BS OR AT LEAST a second round pick or they gotta play the 2nd meeting without Brady. How about a free pack of razor blades for Jet Fans. Man we need something after watching them school our boys for 6 years.
I hope Chad gets better. Booing was not a sign of a true Jets fan. Chad Pennington does have an attitude problem and can be cocky and did not sign my kids football at a home game, but I do not wish him any harm. Get better Chad!! Let's go Jets!!!
Beenie, U must have caught Chadwick in a foul mood. Maybe his parakeet died or had a bad meal at cracker barrel or had to get interviewed by T-Rock
Chad's a very good QB and teams have gotten to the Super Bowl with much less talented ones. If he had the right supporting cast he could definitely lead a team to the SB. Tom Brady or Manning could not get this current Jets team the SB. They're good, not great. As a Jets fan it was embarrasing to see that pitiful display by those idiot fans.
I meant that the Jets "are good, not great"
The Patriots SUCK. They cheat, period. The Packers caught the same guy video taping the defense signals at one of their games.
This proves they are not all the team they are cracked up to be, they cheat. That's how they beat everyone. Now everyone knows.
The game should be forfeited by the Pats and awarded to the Jets. Anything less would be criminal. It would prove that cheating in the NFL is acceptable, or at least an option if you don't mind paying a fine.
Bele-jerk can shove his team and the whole organization up his own ass for reverting to this tactic to win games. That's just low, and plain dirty on all levels.
I forgot to comment on Chad...
Anyone that cheers another human being for getting hurt is a moron, period.
I hope Chad recovers OK, and gets back soon. The loss wasn't his fault. Even though he can't toss more than 20yards, it doesn't matter when you play a team that is now blatantly cheating. They knew our Offense and Defense schemes, how can you win against cheating.
It's not Chad's fault.
I was there and I didn't see anyone near me in Sec. 216 cheering when Chad went down. I heard it though and can't believe it was more than about 20% of the crowd. They are morons.
The Pats have the NFL's highest avg ticket prices, charge the most for game day parking ($40), have one the games top 2 QB's, top 5 Receiver (Ross), top 5 OL, and top 3 Def....a nd they still need an edge. Maybe Belechik has an obsession over beating Mangini after last year's Jet victory in Foxboro and was going to leave nothing to chance. In hindsight what are the odds that the Pats could call a offensive game that always seemed to be the right play for the D the Jets played? If the NFL average is 80% the Pats were more like 95.
How do we know it was only against the Jets? It's been pointed out already that the Packers found the same guy doing the same thing on their sideline. So it stands to say that this is something that might have been going on every game, it's just that the Jets and Packers caught them in the act.
The Pats cheat... no doubts about it. Like I said, the NFL Commisioner needs to step up, like he did on Vick, and not only fine the Pats, but award the win to the Jets based on the most simplistic principle.
They do it for Olympic Athletes, and Tour de France winners... the NFL should not be any different. That will send a clear message.
Your right, Rock. Next time I'll boo a QB seeing his first meaningfull NFL action!
The Pats should have an asterik placed next to their Super Bowl titles and the "dynasty" ha to really be in question now.
Belichick is a jerk, we all knew that anyway, but he's not also a cheater.
The Pats should have to forfeit draft picks and they should be rewarded to us!
I also want Belichick suspened!!!
The NFL suspended Pacman Jones a year for conduct OFF the field. The NFL suspended Micheal Vick indefinatly for conduct OFF the field. The Patriots are guilty of shamefull conduct ON the field. I hope the punishment fits the crime. The New England Arterisks should receive the maximum penalty for conduct detrimental to the game.
This tarnishes their reputation as Super Bowl Champs and possible Hall of Fame members.
#1. I was at the game... when Pennington went down the place was silent. When he got up, people cheered... when they saw him trying to get off the field they lightly applauded... when he threw his helmet down in disgust people cheered... then when Clemens came onto the field... THE CROWD CHEERED... OF COURSE!!! What are we gonna boo the back-up? He had a great pre-season, it was supportive. The press can spin things however they want... it's their job to make a story even if their isn't one.
2. Eric Mangini is becoming almost Yogi Berra like with his comments... it's great!
3. I recommend watching the ESPN.com video w/ Mark Schlereth talking about how the Pats cheating affects the game actually being played.