Tanned, rested and ready. Or something like that
The most prevalent thought upon returning from Ohio late last night:
A-Rod and Madonna???
Watching Newsday's Bob Glauber on ESPN this morning, I was reminded of someone else who had peaked 20 years ago. Ah, we kid because, well, just because.
Also, a quick thanks once again to all of you for keeping this blog lively, informative and, of course, amusing, while I was gone. And with that, vacation is over, the golf clubs are put away – sort of – and it’s back to work, if you want to call it that.
Thejetsblog’s Brian Bassett, the real link king who never misses a Jets-related story on the Web, found one this morning from Knoxville, where Chad Pennington conducted his annual youth football camp. Pennington didn’t say anything different from the OTAs or minicamp regarding the competition for the Jets starting job. And, as always, everything he says is with class.
Some of Pennington from the aforementioned story: “It’s part of professional athletics. There are always critics, there are always people asking questions, and you know, Coach (Eric) Mangini has decided to have a quarterback competition again, so as a professional I can either respond in a negative way or respond in a positive way, and it's my responsibility to respond the right way. I'm going to go up there with a good attitude and work extremely hard and fight for the starting job because I enjoy playing the game, I enjoy being on the field with my teammates, and that's my goal.”
While many of you have expressed concern about having an unsettled quarterback situation heading into training camp, you can take heart in this: regardless of how it plays out, the competition will not devolve into something that divides the locker room. Pennington won't let it and Kellen Clemens won't, either. Clemens' stated admiration for Pennington is not just lip-service. There will not be any of the back-biting and undermining that sometimes occurs in these situations, and while both players desperately want to win the job and the loser will be extremely disappointed, he will not be divisive. And, yes, we'll be talking about this 100 more times but let's face it, the quarterbacks are the No. 1 story of training camp. Not Chris Baker.
Later, I'll have some stuff from Jets Night, which is this evening at Shea. Among the former Jets attending: Wesley Walker, Marty Lyons, Greg Buttle, Emerson Boozer, Randy Beverly and John Schmitt. Too bad something never got put together that would have had the Jets playing one final time at Shea...
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Comments (15)
Dear Erik,
It surpasses irony in a sense that the true heart of the NYJs are Chad and Kellen -- Everybody looks up to them, because of their high characters and respect for each other. They are role models for everybody else, because they have so much class -- both of them.
At the same time, NYJ fans are absolutely full of vitriol either at Chad or at Kellen -- there is too much fanatical belief in the QB as Savior in football. If the team goes 4-12, it has to be the QB play, so get rid of the SOB and anybody else will do -- even a 40 year old guy who no longer loves the cold weather.
Call me cynical, but I read some resentment in Chad's words...I think he's a little upset that Mangini has thrown it up in the air.
Also, as the post above me seems to forget, QBs win or lose games, no matter how you cut it. They are the pin that keeps the offense moving and their decisions, regardless of how much time they have to make them, are what ultimately decide the game. I was a huge fan of Chad's in the past and I respect him for being a great leader even after all of the injuries, but my preference would be to see Chad pass his football leadership and wisdom onto KC and give our Jets a truly wicked combo like we used to have with CP...a guy who can throw AND manage the game.
Erik,
Chad is and will always be a class act.Erik i agree on your take of Chad's comments and the Jets will be a better team because of this competiton. Either will be successful with the team they built. GO JETS!!!!
Cliff, the last thing I would ever do is call you is cynical...
Erik it would have been great, one last Jet game at Shea. I still hold out hope that Wooden Johnson will buy Shea and renovate it for a quarter the cost of New Meadowlands. I know it'll never happen because it makes too much sense.
I don't know if you ever saw "Over the Edge" but New Meadowlands reminds me of New Granada in the film. A perfect planned community that goes all wrong.
when they hell are the Jets going to make the anouncement about the PSL's, I'd like to know if I'm going to afford the tickets that have been in my family since 1975.
Is anyone else sick of the whole "Chad has some much class," "Chad is cerebral" crap? Listen, I can appreciate the fact he is a nice guy and all, but that Quote is complete BS - If Chad had a pair of balls he would tell us how he really feels - pissed off. Which is exactly why he won't win the job - If someone was after my job at work, I would fight tooth and nail and do everything I could to WIN it. We tough, hard nosed I don't take crap from anyone WINNERS in this franchise. Clemens has nothing to lose - Chad has one last shot and simply going to let the best man win?
*** So much Class
*** We need Tough...
I have had enough of the CP/KC talk. Let the qb competition decide who gives the Jets the best chance to win.
As I have stated, it will be who adapts better to all the changes.
It seems KC arm and youth is cancelled out by CP savvy and intangibles and makes them very close.
The deciding factor will be when the hitting starts ,who gels the best with this new and improved team and whos strengths they play into. Will the better line and ground game make CPs play action flourish? Will the same make KC s strong arm a huge advantage in the deep ball? This all remains to be seen and hopefully will be before the season starts.
No matter what, we will get the best qb to start from day one!
Boland, glad to hear it about your golf swing. Hopefully your ability to pick vacation spots catches up with your burgeoning golf game. Anyway, glad to hear Pennington and Clemens will be good sports regardless of the outcome in the quarterback competition. But you've heard me say it before, and you'll hear me say it numerous times, Boland, the Jets will go as far as their offensive and defensive lines take them.
I think Chad might welcome a trade. I think you could read more into the fact that his home is for sale than the Jets complex moving to Jersey
http://weblogs.newsday.com/realestate/blog/2008/07/ny_jet_chad_pennington_selling.html
William, many of the Jets veterans who own property on Long Island have sold those properties and bought or rented in New Jersey near the new facility.
Any updates on the PSL thing? I'm sitting here staring at my season ticket notice and I've only got about another week to decide...I can't believe how much this has taken the luster off of becoming a season ticket holder after all these years of waiting to get back in.
Well, after 15 years of living on the west coast Jet ownership has pushed me over the edge. I ahve cancelled my Sunday Ticket and retired my Jet flag. This move to NJ makes me sick. So many great memories of watching the games with my Dad in Islip and going to Hofstra. This is not a NY team. Its really a disgrace.
Capt. Rich, no update on the PSL front and I'm not sure what they're waiting for. It's all but been decided...unless Mr. Johnson decided after all to write the letter I suggested, but don't hold your breath.