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QB Chad Pennington, Miami Dolphins

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

2009 Projections

Average draft position

Current as of September 7th. [Full ADP list]

Overall: K Curtis (147), J Gage (148), Chad Pennington (149), P Crayton (150), J Maclin (151)
Position: J Flacco (139-QB21), J Delhomme (140-QB22), Chad Pennington (149 - QB23), J Campbell (157-QB24), M Sanchez (177-QB25)
Click here for a comparison of these players.

PPR Average draft position

Current as of September 7th. [Full PPR ADP list]

Overall: M Crabtree (168), K Boss (169), Chad Pennington (170), E James (171), C Buckhalter (172)
Position: J Flacco (158-QB22), J Campbell (161-QB23), Chad Pennington (170 - QB24), S Hill (183-QB25), M Sanchez (189-QB26)
Click here for a comparison of these players.

 Click here to go to the Chad Pennington spotlight, our staff's most detailed analysis.

Best Case

The best-case scenario for Chad Pennington in 2009 is the same production as he enjoyed in 2008. He had an unbelievable season, but with a killer schedule in front of the Dolphins this year, it will be difficult to expect more than what he accomplished in 2008.

Worst Case

Pennington struggles to live up to the spectacular 2008 campaign and slides back down to earth. He doesn't complete 67 percent of his passes and throws for fewer yards. In addition the Dolphins fall out of playoff contention thanks to a murderous schedule and second-year pivot Chad Henne as well as rookie Pat White earn some second half playing time as the Dolphins prepare for the future.

Outlook

Pennington may struggle to match 3,600+ passing yards this season, but he'll still have a high completion percentage and may get a few more touchdown passes. All things considered, he'll have marginal value as a fantasy starter but possibly good value as a backup.

Relevant Articles

Latest News

Dolphins | Pennington injury update (Wed Nov 18, 12:39 PM) - Armando Salguero, of the Miami Herald, reports Miami Dolphins QB Chad Pennington (shoulder) said Tuesday, Nov. 17, he has completed the first phase of his rehabilitation from season-ending shoulder surgery and now must map out a recovery program for the next six weeks. At this stage, Pennington said, he's not certain if he will play again. He might not make that decision until March. However, regardless of what that decision is, the chances of Pennington playing for the Dolphins again are quite slim. The team has a starting quarterback in QB Chad Henne. They have committed time and resources on making backup QB Pat White a success. They also have QB Tyler Thigpen under contract.

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Dolphins | Pennington's rehab under way (Tue Nov 17, 05:06 PM) - The Associated Press reports Miami Dolphins QB Chad Pennington (shoulder, nose) has started his rehab following shoulder surgery.

Our View: Pennington will consult with Dr. James Andrews this Wednesday, and they'll map out a recovery program for the veteran quarterback over the next six weeks. Pennington said he may wait until March to decide whether or not he will return for the 2010 season.
link to story   

2009 Schedule

2008 Game Summaries

Week 1 - Pennington opened the season against his old team, the New York Jets, and was yards away from leading his Dolphins to a fourth quarter comeback when his final pass was intercepted in the end zone. This was not the story book beginning that Pennington would have wanted but he did play well and moved the ball effectively through the air. He finished completing 26 of his 43 passes for 251 yards and two touchdowns, both of them going to his two tight ends. He managed an efficient game and ultimately had to lead the way as the Dolphins running game could not get on track.

Week 2 - Pennington actually played mistake free football, but found himself with too much to do. He completed passes to six different receivers and had 112 yards on ten for 20 attempts. He had no turnovers and when he had time, his passes were on the mark. He was sacked twice. He was pulled late in the game but it wasn't for poor play.

Week 3 - Pennington proved all of the people calling for the Chad Henne era to begin last week wrong with a close to flawless day. Two of his three passes that were not completed would come early in the team's first two drives. Following the second one though, Pennington would go on to complete 16 of his remaining 17 passes for 220 yards. He picked apart the Patriots defense with relative ease, driving the Dolphins to the Patriots goal line three separate times. Once he got them within reach, Ronnie Brown would do the rest.

Week 5 - Some people are going to say that Chad Pennington managed the offense. Don't listen to them. He didn't just manage the offense; he won the game. It helped that he was given loads of time to throw, and Pennington played outstandingly well, finding not just the open man but the most open man consistently. He consistently put the ball exactly where it needed to be, and never allowed himself to lock onto one target. That was important considering just about everyone on the Dolphins was open on nearly every single play. His job was to find the guy in the best position to make a play, and he did so every time. His two favorite targets were Ted Ginn and Greg Camarillo, and he found both on a regular basis. While neither put up huge yardage numbers, both were able to make key contributions with just about every reception they made. And while the knock on Pennington has always been his arm strength, it was plenty strong enough when he threw to his left while rolling out to the right on a key twenty yard completion downfield to TE Anthony Fasano in the fourth quarter.

Week 6 - Pennington had a huge day, but a good chunk of his yardage came on two big plays, both to RB Patrick Cobbs. One was a trick play that ended up as a 53 yard TD, and the other was a simple screen pass that Cobbs took 80 yards for the score. Beyond that, Pennington was incredibly efficient but unspectacular.

Week 7 - This game was an excellent example of just what Pennington provides to Miami at this point in his career. He was efficient on the day, but limited in his ability to get the ball down the field. As a result, while he was able to complete a handful of 20+ yard passes, Pennington didn't seem comfortable doing so. In most cases these passes were slow in getting to his receivers and those receivers often had to hold up a step to make the reception. On the flip-side, when Pennington was looking short, he was able to deliver the ball with some decisiveness and zip and allow his receivers to do the rest. On his sole TD strike of the day, Pennington was able to display the patience of a veteran before rifling a seven yard pass across the middle to WR Davone Bess for six points. Pennington could have had a second TD earlier at the end of Miami's first drive, but he overthrew TE Anthony Fasano on a short pass into the end zone. While Pennington only threw one INT in the game, it was a bad one. With a blitzing Ravens defense closing in on him, Pennington attempted to dump a pass off to RB Patrick Cobbs. Unfortunately he didn't notice Baltimore LB Terrell Suggs was also in the area. Suggs easily snagged Pennington's pass and didn't stop running until he was in the end zone. Pennington could have had a second interception in the first quarter when he overthrew his receiver in the end zone, but the play was called back due to defensive holding.

Week 8 - Pennington had a nearly flawless game, hitting eight different receivers as he threw for 314 yards. He threw his only touchdown pass to TE Anthony Fassano on the opening drive of the game but his ability to stretch the field kept the Bills defense off balance. While the running game was held in check, Pennington kept picking up first downs with precise passing.

Week 9 - Pennington didn't put up eye-popping statistics, but he did an admirable job of standing tall in the pocket and facing pressure all game long. While he was only sacked twice, Denver still got in his face on more than a few occasions. But Pennington never wavered, calmly finding Greg Camarillo on roughly half of his completions. The timing and connection between the two was obvious, and the Pennington/Camarillo connection used the short passing game to perfection all day long. Pennington didn't throw any touchdowns, but he brought Miami to several scoring drives and never really made a huge mistake with the ball. He was bailed out of two potential interceptions when his receivers got their hands on the ball at the last moment, but it's no sure thing that the balls would've even been picked off anyway. Even his turnover was more of a great play by Denver than it was a bad decision or bad pass by Pennington. And he saved his best for last, completing not one but two long completions late in the fourth quarter on a touchdown drive to seal the victory. Facing a third and 19, he found Ronnie Brown for a screen pass that picked up 18 and put the team in position to convert the ensuing fourth down play. Later, Miami faced a third and 13 and again Pennington faced a relentless pass rush. And again, he found his man, this time Ricky Williams for a 23 yard gain. While neither play went for a score, both were critical in eventually setting up the touchdown that put the Dolphins up by nine and put the game out of reach.

Week 10 - Pennington was his usual accurate self. He worked on finding the open man, favoring no one. His one interception was costly; it was returned for a touchdown. He looked great early on, airing it out to a double covered Ted Ginn in the back of the end zone for a 39 yard score. He also proved very capable under pressure, on one play eluding multiple pass rushers and finding the open man while scrambling. With few exceptions, he seemed to be content with a number of short gains.

Week 11 - Chad Pennington managed the conservative game plan effectively and spread the ball around to seven different receivers. While he did an overall good job of managing the game he was also sacked in the end zone for a safety. When Miami fell behind in the fourth quarter, however, Pennington went to work. He marched his team down the field, along the way completing a fourth and five pass to keep the drive alive, to set up the winning field goal.

Week 12 - Pennington was sharp. He hooked up with seven different receivers on the day. What stood out was his willingness to go for the big play a little more often than usual -- and succeeding a good portion of the time. He also had a gutsy seven yard run for a touchdown.

Week 13 - Pennington completed 57% of his passes for an average gain of 7.2 yards per attempt en route to a 79.3 passer rating on the afternoon. The Dolphins employed a conservative offense in this game, and focused on wearing down the Rams with a combination of Ronnie Brown, Ricky Williams and their fullbacks. Pennington did work well with Davone Bess out of the slot, though saw his numbers reduced by a pair of drops by Ted Ginn.

Week 14 - Pennington had another masterful game, spreading the ball around to eight different receivers controlling the clock for almost 38 minutes, and avoiding turnovers. He earned a QB rating of 104.2, based on 23 completions in 29 attempts and one touchdown, and his 181 passing yards puts him over 3,000 yards for the season.

While new management and a new coaching staff deserve credit for Miami's turnaround, Pennington was a key off season acquisition. He may not put up great fantasy numbers but he gives his team a chance to win and he doesn't lose many games. Pennington threw for 314 yards and one TD against Buffalo in week eight.

Week 15 - Pennington and the Dolphins were intent on running a fair amount of the hurry-up offense to dictate the early tempo and it paid fast dividends with a 61 touchdown to tight end David Martin. Pennington did a masterful job of looking off the secondary and threw a long pass to a Martin who was ale to score. Pennington had no turnovers and took very few chances or anything that resembled a risky play. Most of Pennington's completions were within ten yards of the line of scrimmage. With his accuracy and lack of arm strength, this formula is working well for Miami.

Week 16 - QB Chad Pennington was nearly flawless in the victory. The Chiefs were unable to get even a semblance of a pass rush and Pennington picked apart the Chiefs defense for three touchdown passes. Pennington spread the ball around by connecting on at least three completions to five different receivers.

Pennington's accuracy was on-point all day despite the howling winds that plagued both kicks and passes all game long.

Week 17 - Chad Pennington led the Dolphins by doing what he does best, playing mistake free football. He was insanely accurate as he threw for an even 200 yards while tossing two touchdowns and no interceptions. He found ten different receivers and did what he needed to do to put points on the board and keep the Jets defense on the field. Both of his touchdowns came on perfectly placed passes in the corner of the end zone.

Week 18 - Pennington was under duress throughout the game. Although he was fairly efficient when making quick, short throws, he got into trouble when he attempted longer passes, which accounted for all four of his interceptions. While the pass rush and excellent play by the defensive backs was largely responsible for causing the interceptions, Pennington was somewhat culpable on a couple of them, as he threw into double coverage deep without getting much on the ball due to the pass rush. He was most effective when he went to a no huddle offense and relied on short passes, but overall he had a forgettable game.