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QB Chad Pennington, New York Jets

HT: 6-3, WT: 225, Born: 6-26-1976, College: Marshall, Drafted: Round 1, Pick 18

2008 Projections

2007 Game Summaries

Week 1 - Pennington had a pretty solid day despite being under pressure and hurried for most of the game. His accuracy led him to a day where he saw 76 percent of his passes completed for 167 yards and two touchdowns. He threw no interceptions and was consistently finding an open man. On a third quarter drive, Penning suffered what appeared to be an ankle injury and had to hobble of to the sidelines. Backup quarterback Kellen Clemens came in for the remainder of the series while Pennington was being attended to on the sidelines. The Jets starting quarterback returned a series later to lead a touchdown drive, which ended on a pass to Laveranues Coles. This was the end of his day however; as he retired to the sidelines in the fourth quarter, with the game seemingly out reach for the Jets.

Week 3 - Pennington returned to the Jets' lineup with a heavily bandaged ankle and an attitude that demonstrated once again that he is the emotional leader of this team. He ran some no huddle offense at the Dolphins and managed to divide 15 completions among six different receivers. After he scored a touchdown on an unexpected two yard quarterback draw, Pennington pumped his fist and was immediately mobbed by teammates.

Week 4 - Pennington played well during most of the game. He connected on 82 percent of his passes for 290 yards. At one point, he completed 15 consecutive pass attempts. As usual, Pennington displayed a deft touch on most of his passes. His accuracy allows him to get by with less than ideal arm strength. However, his arm sometimes puts his receivers in less than ideal positions. Pennington threw two costly interceptions. The second one came with six seconds left and with the Jets threatening to get into position for a tying field goal. Pennington's pass attempt to Justin McCareins fluttered like a wounded duck before Terrence McGee plucked it out of the air and sealed the Jets' fate.

With time running out at the end of the first half, Pennington faked a clock killing spike and instead hit Laveranues Coles for a 16 yard connection to set up a 37 yard field goal attempt by Mike Nugent.

Pennington threw mainly short and medium type routes, but did have a few deep attempts. His 28 yard completion to Jerricho Cotchery is his longest pass of the season. Prior to the game, he had not attempted a pass more than 16 yards downfield.

Week 5 - Pennington struggled to make good decisions as he turned the ball over three times through the air, all resulting in points for the New York Giants. He completed 21 of 36 passes for 229 yards and a score. His lone touchdown toss was a pretty fade route to Brad Smith in the corner of the end zone, which resulted in the Jets only offensive touchdown for the day. Going into the end zone to start the fourth quarter Chad Pennington went back to the fade route, targeting Jericho Cotchery in double coverage and turning the ball over at the one yard line.

Week 6 - Pennington had poor performance under center and did not seem comfortable. He was under throwing receivers terribly and was proven time and time again that he was unable to go deep with any effectiveness. He completed 11 of his 21 passes for 128 yards and threw an interception on a deep route intended for Brad Smith. Pennington's arm strength is continuously being challenged by opposing defenses, and at the current moment, he has not been able to be successful throwing down field.

Week 7 - Pennington started off the game sizzling, but had another rough fourth quarter. He fumbled a snap and threw a game changing interception that was returned for a touchdown. He threw too many out patterns and finally a Cincinnati corner jumped the route.

Week 8 - Pennington had another error free game as he completed 65 percent of his passes for only 106 yards and no touchdowns. He did not turn the ball over, however could not lead a scoring drive when the Jets needed it most. Late in the fourth quarter and trailing by 10 points, the Jets opted to go with backup quarterback Kellen Clemens, who proceeded to throw two interceptions.

Week 15 - Chad Pennington who filled in for the injured Clemens performed well however was not able to put the ball in the end zone against the swarming Patriots defensive unit. He completed 25 of 38 passes for 186 yards as he spread the ball around to six different Jets receivers. On a fourth quarter drive, Pennington seemed to hit Justin McCareins in the back of the end zone for a score that would have put the Jets within three points of the lead, however, this play was reviewed and overturned, ultimately ending the hopes for New York.

Week 16 - Pennington showed that he still has what it takes to run an offense, completing 26 of 32 passes for 264 yards and a touchdown. In the second quarter Pennington hit Jerricho Cotchery in the back of the end zone, bringing the Jets within a point of the Titans. The extra point from Mike Nugent was blocked and the Jets were never able to put anymore points on the board as Pennington was forced to pass, leading to two interceptions on the day. Pennington again showed his pinpoint accuracy while also proving that he is still incapable of throwing the ball deep and spreading out the defense.