Professor

http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/fo...p-356392c.html

Jets quarterback Chad Pennington took another step yesterday in his recovery from shoulder surgery, participating in drills during a non-contact practice at Hofstra, the team announced.

Pennington, eight months removed from surgery, took snaps in the 11-on-11 and seven-on-seven portions of the practice and threw, according to a team spokesman. The voluntary session was closed to the media.

That the Jets acknowledged Pennington's participation was a bit of a surprise, considering their cloak-and-dagger approach to his rehabilitation. But, in keeping with their usual policy, they didn't release any details, declining to say how much he threw.

Pennington was not made available to comment, and coach Eric Mangini released a vague statement, saying he was pleased with the turnout and the energy level and noting that "our entire team participated." That included running back Curtis Martin, 33, who underwent knee surgery last December. Martin is expected to be ready for training camp in late July.

In other news, the Jets welcomed back a familiar face, re-signing popular cornerback Ray Mickens, whom they unceremoniously dumped last August when they signed Ty Law. Mickens, 33, played last season for the Browns after spending the first nine seasons of his career with the Jets.

Team activities will continue for the rest of the week. The media won't be allowed to observe Pennington until June15, when the team begins a mandatory, three-day minicamp. This is the early stage of what promises to be a compelling training-camp competition between Pennington and newcomer Patrick Ramsey. The starting job is up for grabs, according to Mangini.

Pennington, trying to beat the odds with a twice-repaired throwing shoulder, said two weeks ago that he was "full go, throwing every route we have in the playbook."

Backup quarterback Kliff Kingsbury, who appeared in one game last season, was released.

juggalo6772

Personally i dont feel that penningtons done yet.He should be able to win the job this year.

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chris_36824

i dont think Pennigton should even have to battle it out for the job.. when he is healthy he has one of the best arms in the NFL... well at least a lot better than Patrick Ramseys..

bigboy

He, IMO is done but where is the mention of anything being up for grabs?

ABuccsFan

As a person currently recovering from rotator cuff surgery, albeit only 3 months in...I couldn't imagine throwing a football. Thank GOD my tear was in my non throwing shoulder.

coldarmy20

Hopefully they dont rush him back too soon..

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UCFNoleFan

He has been done for the last few years, he wasn't even great before the injury, he was the greatest juker of all time, as anyone who has seen the Pennington Juke can attest to, but he was only a pretty good QB. Ramsey IMO has a much higher upside.

Professor

pennington is a noodle arm and hasn't done anything since throwing bombs to randy moss, LOL

Professor

http://www.nj.com/jets/ledger/index....820.xml&coll=1

Rookie Clemens emerges in Jets' QB battle
Sunday, June 18, 2006
BY DAVE HUTCHINSON
Star-Ledger Staff

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. -- After three days and five practices, the Jets have learned this about their quarterback situation: When you have four QBs on your roster who can make a case to be the starter, you really don't have a starting quarterback.

Instead of the situation coming into focus at the conclusion of the veterans' minicamp yesterday, it is more uncertain than ever.
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In fact, rookie Kellen Clemens was the most impressive of the foursome, outperforming veterans Chad Pennington, Patrick Ramsey and Brooks Bollinger. And it wasn't even close as the media got its first up-close look of the competition.

Clemens, a second-round pick out of Oregon, displayed an exceptional arm, moxie and the leadership ability of a veteran. He has what people describe as "it."

But will rookie coach Eric Mangini have the fortitude to go with an untested, rookie quarterback in the pressure cooker that is the metropolitan area? He has plenty of time and the backing of GM Mike Tannenbaum and owner Woody Johnson, and it will be interesting to see what he does.

"Each guy is missing some things that you'd like them to see, and some guys are making some throws that you're really happy with," Mangini said. "This is just that period where they're getting used to the offense."

Pennington, coming off two shoulder surgeries in as many years, remains the favorite, mostly by default. He's smart and usually mistake-free, which is what Mangini wants because he hopes to win with defense. Pennington looked okay in drills but isn't 100 percent yet.

Ramsey, who was a tackling dummy in Washington under former coach Steve Spurrier, was a mild disappointment. He has the arm but missed several open receivers and his penchant for interceptions reared its ugly head. His frustration boiled over as he was visibly upset at times.

"You're out there competing and you want to do everything perfect every time," Ramsey said.

Bollinger, who appeared to be the whipping boy of the coaching staff, held his own during his turn with the first team in Mangini's rotation system on Friday afternoon. He made several impressive throws and will battle Ramsey for a roster spot. It's a given that Clemens and Pennington, who took a pay cut and will earn $3 million guaranteed, will make the final roster.

Mangini summed up his first minicamp this way: "Green but growing." He was pleased with the enthusiasm, focus, work ethic and eagerness of his veteran players.

Pro Bowl MLB Jonathan Vilma, who is at his best when blockers are kept off him and he's free to roam sideline to sideline, will again have to fight off 300-pound guards and centers in the Jets' new 3-4 defense. It's not the best fit for him but he's going with the flow.

"It (two-gaping and taking on blockers) isn't really a major factor because we can switch up and morph into whatever we want to do," Vilma said. "It won't be a big issue."

We'll see.

J-Unit

Good news for the Jets, I thought Croyle would have been a better pick.

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University of Tennessee Lady Vols 2007 National Champions