Chad Pennington may miss season, ESPN News Options

[MikeJordan23]

Bollinger (IMG:http://forums.thesmartmarks.com/style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) (IMG:http://forums.thesmartmarks.com/style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) (IMG:http://forums.thesmartmarks.com/style_emoticons/default/throwup.gif)

NEW YORK (AP) -- Jets quarterback Chad Pennington will miss the rest of the season because of a torn right rotator cuff, The Associated Press learned Monday night.

Pennington's injury was confirmed by a person with knowledge of his condition, but who declined to be identified because the team had not made an official announcement.

An MRI exam showed Pennington tore his rotator cuff in Sunday's 26-20 overtime loss to Jacksonville. The NFL Network originally reported the injury, the second time Pennington has had this tear in less than a year.

Pennington was expected to visit noted orthopedist Dr. James Andrews in Alabama on Tuesday.

Backup Jay Fiedler also damaged his shoulder Sunday and will be sidelined, leaving third-stringer Brooks Bollinger to play quarterback against Baltimore this weekend.

Last season, Pennington missed three games with the same injury and had offseason surgery to repair it. He was sacked on consecutive plays during the Jets' first series of the second half against Jacksonville. On third-and-11, Pennington was taken down by Bobby McCray and fumbled for the second straight down and recovered the ball, but his shoulder was injured on the play.

Fiedler came in, but was hit while completing a 16-yard pass to Justin McCareins -- his sixth play in place of Pennington -- and hurt his shoulder.

Pennington came back to lead the Jets (1-2) on two scoring drives, both capped by field goals, but clearly was hurting and said after the game that the injury felt ``similar to last year.''

``It's frustrating and demoralizing,'' Pennington said. ``I worked really hard to get back to playing, putting in all the extra hours in over time, and trying to come back to be out there on the field. When something like that happens, it really tests you. It tests your willpower, your mind and your confidence.''

Despite the injury, Edwards thought he and Pennington had made the right call by letting him back in against the Jaguars instead of going with Bollinger -- though the play calling was limited by Pennington not being able to throw long.

``He gave us the best chance to do what we needed to do to win the game,'' Edwards said. ``I had reservations, but he was able to go in and do some things.''

Pennington also had a major injury in 2003, when he broke his left wrist in a preseason game and missed six regular-season games.

Fiedler was acquired this season to give Pennington an experienced backup and he shared much of the preseason work. A downcast Fiedler indicated after the game that he was fearing the worst.

``I kind of landed with my arm above my shoulder and I felt something go,'' he said Sunday. ``I knew I wasn't going to be able to throw a football.''

Bollinger is confident he can shoulder the task.

Bollinger, in his third season with the Jets out of Wisconsin, has appeared in just one NFL game, last year against Arizona. He replaced an injured Quincy Carter in the Jets' 13-3 win and was 5-of-9 for 60 yards.

``I'm just going out to try and execute the plays that they call with knowing that I have an understanding of how to manage a football game and what I need to do to help the team win,'' Bollinger said. ``I'm not trying to make it into rocket science.''

When asked if the team would consider signing a free agent, such as Vinny Testaverde, Edwards said the Jets would discuss that once they had definite diagnoses on Pennington and Fiedler.

``All the powers that be will huddle up,'' Edwards said. ``We'll get a lot of phone calls from agents, I'm sure.''

As for Bollinger, he's looking at his NFL starting debut as a chance to show the Jets what he can do -- but he's focused on the task at hand: beating the Ravens.

``I think anytime you get an opportunity in there as a quarterback, especially not being a first-round pick or whatever, it's an unbelievable opportunity,'' he said. ``It can turn into anything, but again, there's enough on my mind and I have enough to worry about this week that whatever it turns out to be down the road, fine, great, but I'm just worried about this week.''

Edwards said an MRI revealed that offensive tackle Jason Fabini has a Grade II sprain of the medial collateral ligament in his right knee, but will be fitted for a brace and his status for the game against Baltimore was uncertain. Linebacker Eric Barton has a strained ankle, and his status for Sunday's game was uncertain.

AP Sports Writer Dennis Waszak contributed to this story.

[Guest_*KNK*_*]

As I said eariler

"With the first pick of the 2006 NFL DRAFT, The New York Jets select from USC, Matt Leinart"

[devo]

And I thought the Jets were in a shitty situation yesterday. This is downright crippling.

Six wins, if that.

[MikeJordan23]

AP is reporting it's official. He's done.

[NYU]

Hey, I say we use the other thread. It actually has news in it.

[Guest_fanofcoils_*]

He's the Kerry Wood of football!

[MikeJordan23]

Hey, I say we use the other thread. It actually has news in it.

So does this one.

[iggymcfly]

Yeah, there's no way in hell the Jets are going to do anything now. Their season's over. I mean Brooks fucking Bollinger is starting at QB next week. I was honestly thinking 6 wins before this story, so now I'd say maybe 4-12 sounds reasonable.

Oh, and I pray to god that the Jets don't end up with Leinart. If he didn't go to USC, he'd probably be a fourth or fifth rounder. He makes all kind of bad throws, and just gets his stats pumped up because Reggie Bush can take a three yard slant pattern and turn it into a 97 yard touchdown.

[Annabelle]

pennington was never great, but he'll never be as good as he was after this. ny media blew his greatness out of proportion, but still, its a big loss. testeverde will come back & almsot take them to the playoffs. leinhart is going to the raiders, folks.

[Precious Roy]

I'd say Pennington is pretty much done, period. I don't see how an NFL QB can come back from this and ever be the same. You gotta give him credit though, he gutted it out with a bad wing when a lot of guys would have packed it up.

[Guest_*KNK*_*]

If the Jets want to salvage the season, They go after Jon Kitna...

Because Brooks and Jay Fielder aren't going to save the team either.

Let Kitna carry the season as much as they can. Draft a new QB for the team (because Chad is done) and let Kitna groom that QB like he did Carson Palmer.

[USC Wuz Robbed!]

Wow... Banky, I'd love for Leinart to go to Oakland. That would rock hard. Imagine him throwing to Moss? Porter if they keep him... just wow.

[MarvinisaLunatic]

Well at least this is good news for the Ravens. Good way to help them get of the schneid this week.

Heck, the Ravens beat the Jets last year when Pennington was out hurt as well.

Oh, and I think they should go after Ramsey. If he ends up out of Washington, he'll be awesome.

[Annabelle]

leinhart will go to either the raiders or the cardinals. if the cardinals really really bomb this year, they'll pick him.

[MarvinisaLunatic]

leinhart will go to either the raiders or the cardinals.  if the cardinals really really bomb this year, they'll pick him.

I was just thinking about what the Ravens would do with the first pick if they ended up with it..

Leinhart is obviously better than boller but Billick has Boller shoved so far up his ass he can't tell has much he sucks. plus, if they opt away from Boller in some miracle, they need a veteran QB not another rookie.

[DerangedHermit]

S-H-I-T! Shit shit shit!

NOTE: I don't really care about Chad Pennington.

[UZI Suicide]

The Raiders won't have a low enough pick to get Leinart (L-E-I-N-A-R-T), but I could see Arizona taking him. Miami is a lot more likely destination for him however.

[Precious Roy]

Isn't Miami 2-1? And they've got 2 games each against Buffalo and the NYJ coming up. No way they end up with the worst record.

[UZI Suicide]

It's possible, but I think they've been playing way above their heads. Then again, they could be the Chargers of last year.

Maybe the Browns would take Leinart.

[Guest_*KNK*_*]

It's possible, but I think they've been playing way above their heads. Then again, they could be the Chargers of last year.

Maybe the Browns would take Leinart.

The Browns are too inept to lose enough to get the #1 pick.

It's way to early to start scheduling Matt Leinart's destination point because we have no clue where this season will end up because 3 weeks is hardly enough to indicate how the rest of the season will work out...

[Spaceman Spiff]

No way the Dolphins will be the worst team in the league this year (which probably just jinxed them).

[Crimson Platypus]

Again I say:


I told you so. His shoulder was never fully healed.

[MikeJordan23]

Jets to sign Vinny Testeverde


Vinny returning to Jets

BY JON HEYMAN
STAFF WRITER

September 27, 2005, 10:58 AM EDT


Vinny Testaverde is returning to the Jets, Newsday has learned. The team is expected to announce the signing of the 41-year-old quarterback this afternoon.

Testaverde, 41, will help fill the void left by injuries to starter Chad Pennington and backup Jay Fiedler. Pennington suffered a torn rotator cuff in Sunday's game against Jacksonville and is out for the season. Fiedler also suffered a severe shoulder injury and a source told Newsday he's finished for the year.

It was not immediately known whether Testaverde will back up former third-stringer Brooks Bollinger on Sunday at Baltimore. As for Fiedler, any slim hope that he could play again this season could be outweighed by the need to clear a roster spot for a healthy arm.

Testaverde played six seasons with the Jets from 1998-2003, leading them to the AFC Championship game in 1998. He spent last season with Dallas, passing for 3,532 yards and 17 touchdowns with 20 interceptions.

The Brooklyn native and Sewanhaka graduate was the No. 1 overall pick in the 1987 NFL Draft. He played six seasons with Tampa Bay and five with the Cleveland/Baltimore franchise before joining the Bill Parcells' Jets in 1998.

Testaverde enjoyed his best season that year, throwing for 3,256 yards and an AFC-best 29 touchdowns and 101.6 passer rating. He led the Jets to their first playoff appearance since 1991 and their first playoff victory (a 34-24 win over Jacksonville) since 1986. The Jets lost to Denver in the AFC title game.


http://www.newsday.com/sports/football/jet...mostemailedlink

[The Czech Republ...]

The Al Leiter of football?

[CanadianChris]

So the Jets are giving up on the season, then?

[MrRant]

Why does no one call Jeff George?

Sure he's a prick but he has good arm.

[Black Lushus]

no one should ever call Jeff George under any circumstances...ever...

[Guest_*KNK*_*]

My guess is that they are hoping Brooks Bollinger doesn't monumentally screw up and that Vinny is merely a insurance policy and they will tough it out until Fielder can come in...

Even with Fielder starting, I wouldn't like the JETS chances anyways but this is best case scenario really for the JETS. If Brooks plays good, then they got the starter for rest of the season but he blows, they can stick Vinny out there and allow him to be the scapegoat for the team's failure.

[MikeJordan23]

Why does no one call Jeff George?

Sure he's a prick but he has good arm.

He got a practice with either the Lions or the Bears last week.

[Guest_*KNK*_*]

If you are going to call up washed up nobodies, get Tim Couch on the phone.