Chad Pennington named Dolphins' starting QB

[clevfan]

Chad Pennington named Dolphins' starting QB

By Omar Kelly | Sun-Sentinel.com
3:38 PM EDT, August 25, 2008

DAVIE

The Dolphins worst kept secret has finally been divulged.

Chad Pennington was named the Dolphins starting quarterback for the regular-season on Monday, holding off rookie Chad Henne in the two weeks he has spent as a Dolphin.

"I'm excited about the opportunity to lead this team. We've worked extremely hard over the last two weeks and I'm proud to be a Miami Dolphin," said Pennington, whose first regular-season game will be against his former team, the New York Jets, a Dolphins AFC East rival.

Pennington has given the Dolphins offense a big boost since his arrival from New York, which cut him loose when Brett Favre was acquired in a trade from Green Bay.

He led the Dolphins to scores on two of his three drives in the 19-14 exhibition win over Jacksonville, completing 5-of-6 passes for 55 yards, and scrambling for 18 yards on two runs.

Pennington threw for 94 yards on 11 for 15 passing, including a 17-yard touchdown pass to tight end Anthony Fasano in Saturday's 24-0 rout of Kansas City.

Coach Tony Sparano, who announced the decision, used that touchdown pass as a prime example of why Pennington's the right leader for this young offense. The pocket had collapsed, and even though a Chiefs defensive lineman was barreling down on him, the eight-year veteran threw a fairly accurate pass under duress, leading Fasano just enough for him to score.

"We are a young team and I think what Chad brings to the table is management skills," Sparano said. "He manages the game really well and is a little bit calmer out there. He has seen more situations."

Sparano said his decision was made up after halftime of the Kansas City win.

"I like the way he started the ballgame; I like what he did at halftime,'' Sparano said. "His demeanor with the players at halftime, those type of things. The way they respond to him. That really made my decision.''

The Dolphins receivers have drastically improved since Pennington began practicing with the team, and Sparano insinuated that's not a coincident. Sparano said his accuracy gives the team's playmakers a better chance to make plays after the catch.

Pennington will be the 13th starting quarterback for the Dolphins since Dan Marino retired after the 1999 season.

Pennington's arrival not only improved the offense's level of production, but it has also boosted the team's moral.

"Having [Pennington] back there has helped their confidence a little bit over the last week or so. It kind of got everybody excited," cornerback Andre' Goodman said.

"It's pretty evident out there," Goodman said when asked about Pennington's accuracy last week. "The first time I saw it I was impressed because it looked different than what we had. And that's not to disrespect the guys we had back there before but what he brings is that precision, that accuracy, and he's boosted the receivers confidence a great deal."

[(sportman)]

Can't wait till he beats up on the Jets

[cubie]

and u know sport the jet fans will be laying all kinds of wood that day $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

[Uncle B]

Originally Posted by (sportman)

Can't wait till he beats up on the Jets

lol


i kinda hope he does too....no telling though, what Miami is gonna be able to do this season...and no telling how long it will be before Pennington gets injured again.


i like the guy though, and i'd like to see him succeed.

[StarnetGypsy]

yeah i like him too since he's from this neck of the woods, but i think MiMami is gonna find out sooner than later about the curse on him, because as you say, he's def injury prone ...

2003 - fracture-dislocation on his non-throwing hand

2004 - substantial tear in his rotator cuff

2005 - yet another tear in his rotator cuff

2007 - high ankle sprain

[ChuckyTheGoat]

I like Chad.

Any tactical edge here in Game One? Remember Gruden vs Gannon in the Super Bowl? Gruds knew him like the back of his hand.

Not sure about this one. Chad will know the weaknesses of the Jet defense. Mangini will play to Chad's weaknesses, namely arm strength and inability (?) to throw the long square-out.

[nino brown]

i thought you were in the pacific nw star. chad is from knoxville, tn.

[(sportman)]

Miami OVER season wins..Easy

[StarnetGypsy]

Originally Posted by nino brown

i thought you were in the pacific nw star. chad is from knoxville, tn.

my bad Nino, brainfart. i was thinkin of Jets QB Kellen Clemens who was an Oregon Duck. you're right tho, i'm up in the Seattle area, east of there in the mountains.

i still like Pennington tho, and hope the MiMami O-line can keep him healthy ... i always liked the Jets, but i've quit betting on them as they always screw me, and so does Favre (he seldom covers when i bet w/him), so the bad mojo i have w/them will only be worse this year

[Uncle B]

Originally Posted by ChuckyTheGoat

I like Chad.

Any tactical edge here in Game One? Remember Gruden vs Gannon in the Super Bowl? Gruds knew him like the back of his hand.

Not sure about this one. Chad will know the weaknesses of the Jet defense. Mangini will play to Chad's weaknesses, namely arm strength and inability (?) to throw the long square-out.

I'd think it evens out, if anything...Hell, the Jets might not even remember what Chad can or can't do...He was pretty much hurt most of the time he was there.

[Uncle B]

Not exactly a stellar start....Hope he gets his shit together soon.

[Bostongambler]

How ironic they play the Jets.

[Total Square]

he has nothing left

[Bostongambler]

He has Big ears

[Uncle B]

Originally Posted by Bostongambler

He has Big ears

I hear he has a huge vagina too.

[Bostongambler]

Thats the word on the street Unc.

[Uncle B]

He must have had a severe yeast infection yesterday....He seemed a bit out of sorts.

[Uncle B]

He's having a pretty damn good day again today so far....Maybe the move really was the best thing for him....