The Favre Fallout: Pennington To The Chiefs?
Brett Favre has been traded to the Jets. Brett the Jett. Broadway Brett. The Gotham Gunslinger. I’m getting it all out of my system now, because ESPN, John Madden and Peter King are going to murder you with all things Favre during the season. By the way, what about the Madden curse? He’s on the cover, but in a Packers‘ uni. Will the curse have any effect on him as a Jet? Just a thought.
Does all of this impact the Chiefs? Well, it actually could. Chad Pennington and Herm Edwards certainly have a history, and it looks like he is going to be cut, maybe even traded. From NJ.com:
Chad Pennington has played his last game with the Jets, GM Mike Tannenbaun said today in an early morning conference call. Barring a last minute snag, Pennington will be traded or released today. The holdup is paperwork
From Rocky Mountain News:
In particular, the Kansas City Chiefs. The Chiefs have Brodie Croyle starting at quarterback, with 12-year veteran Damon Huard as a backup. Pennington, when healthy, is a significant upgrade over either quarterback on the Chiefs roster…
Edwards said during his days with the Jets, he felt he developed that tight connection with Chad Pennington…
Watch for the Chiefs and Pennington to connect if and when a Favre trade to the Jets becomes official.
First, there’s that Chad-Herm connection. Next, there’s the fact that we have more cap room than any other team in the league. Lastly, our starter is unproven, while our back-up quarterbacks have been garbage so far this offseason. You don’t have to have Chris Mortenson’s connections to figure out that the Chiefs could be a potential pit stop for Pennington.
Personally, I’m all for it. Pennington’s only 32, which isn’t old in quarterback years. He led the surprising Jets to the playoffs just two years ago, when he was also named the league’s Comeback Player of the Year. He has five postseason starts as well. He’s also a Southern boy and a natural leader, so I think he’d be a great mentor for Brodie Croyle. They might even share the same barber, actually. He doesn’t have Brodie’s arm, but he makes smart decisions. He could certainly help Brodie improve in that department.
Pennington also could fit into our long-term plans should Brodie falter. There’s a big difference between a 32-year-old QB who’s used to starting, and a 35-year-old career clipboard holder. I’d feel much more comfortable if we added Pennington and traded Damon Huard for a late, or even conditional, draft pick. He’s making too much money for a guy who will never be anything more than a temp starter. This way Pennington could be Brodie’s security blanket. Tyler Thigpen would also have more time to develop, and be under less pressure to develop overnight.
What does everyone else think about Pennington potentially coming to Kansas City as added insurance?
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I can see it. Pennington’s arm strength sucks, but I like him other than that.
August 7th, 2008 at 1:39 am“They might even share the same barber, actually.”
LMAO!
August 7th, 2008 at 1:40 amI think he has what Brodie doesn’t (leadership, guts, experience) and he doesn’t have what Brodie does (youth, a cannon, mobility). Not to say that Brodie couldn’t develop that, but right now he doesn’t have that and I dont think Huard has those either.
And yes his arm strength does suck, but I think he could move the ball in Gaileys offense. I would just get scared how many teams would load up the box daring us to throw deep.
August 7th, 2008 at 1:44 amIn spite of the Herm connection, I dont see Chad as a viable solution for KC. Also, I can guarantee you King Carl is not going to pay the kind of dough Pennington can get elsewhere - hello Dallas…
I admire Pennington for his guts, but he’s got a noodle for an arm and he’s 4-5 years older than the kind of Free Agent Herm and CP have stated a preference for.
Also, I think it sends the wrong kind of message to Brodie to bring in a guy like Chad. I hope we pass.
August 7th, 2008 at 2:03 amOK, I’m sorry, I can’t not say anything here..
Leadership? Brodie is a natural leader. Proved it at Bama, and apparently has done a good job of it in KC too. But to be honest, almost every QB possesses leadership.
Guts? You’ve got to be kidding me. He played injured against some of the scariest defenses in college football. He’s confident and bold. He played against an 11-sack performance from Auburn, and never once pulled a Troy Aikmen and just crumbled at an imposing sack. Hell, he even rallied the team and lead the Tide back near the end of the game. It was too little too late, but still. The kid’s tough.
I’m not trying to argue, I just don’t really understand what, in the brief time he has been in the NFL, has given you the impression that he lacks guts and leadership?
OK I’m done.
The experience thing is true though.
August 7th, 2008 at 2:04 amCMF, it’s not about Brodie, it’s about the other guys. I’m sure Herm is going to be interested, as it’s his job on the line. It’s also about Brodie’s injury history.
Brodie displayed both intestinal fortitude and leadership ability in college. IN COLLEGE. He has yet to do so in the pros, where Pennington undoubtedly has.
August 7th, 2008 at 2:10 amI dont care Adam. I have never been able to stand watching Pennington the way he plays the game. If he comes to KC it will suck all the joy out of watching the games for me. Pennington is Grbac light and I dont want us to have anything at all to do with him.
August 7th, 2008 at 2:19 amAnd I think you’re wrong about Herm’s interest too. As I recall he always seemed to be putting on a nice face when he was talking to the press about Chad.
I MUCH prefer Huard!
August 7th, 2008 at 2:22 amI prefer Damon Wayans over Damon Huard at this point.
And you don’t need a big arm in this offense with our big targets. To each their own.
August 7th, 2008 at 2:33 amThere is a HUGE difference from having guts and leadership in college compared to the pros. Just ask guys like Ryan Leaf, Eric Crouch, Michael Bishop, Tim Couch just to name a few.
Brodie has yet to acquire those attributes for the pro game. Could he develop them, yes! I said he could, but you can’t say he is a leader in the pros with ZERO wins or has guts when he doesnt play because of back spasms. Would your boy Favre leave the game for back spasms?
August 7th, 2008 at 2:37 amoh throw in David Carr too
August 7th, 2008 at 2:41 amActually, when Wayans played Jimmy Dix he did have a good arm. Faster, too, and I bet he wouldn’t tuck as early either.
What is this, up all night with Brett Favre and Gilbert Gottfried?
August 7th, 2008 at 2:42 amGood players miss games because of back spasms. Not much you can do about that. If your back is spasming you can’t really.. I don’t know.. accurately throw a football.
And the guy has started 6 games. How do YOU know if he’s “acquired those attributes for the pro game”? You don’t. And I’ve read that Brodie has the presence of a natural leader — IN AN NFL HUDDLE. Leadership is one of the qualities that has specifically been attributed to Croyle during his time with the Chiefs. Gailey was quoted as saying that Brodie “handles all the intangibles very well”. So I’m going on what I’ve seen/heard. You’re going on what you assume (for whatever reason).
I just think you’re unfair in your estimation of him. But since you won’t believe me, here’s an article to take a look at:
http://wildbillschiefs.com/cgi-bin/commentary.cgi?action=display&num=455
August 7th, 2008 at 2:56 amI’m not sure how the Rocky Mountain News knows without a doubt Chad Pennington is better than Brodie Croyle. The Chiefs will never trade for Pennington unless it’s straight up for Damon Huard. I don’t see them giving up draft picks for a qb that is injured more than he plays.
August 7th, 2008 at 4:41 amPennington offers the one thing Herm desperately wants in his qb’s: good decision making.
Both Croyle and Thigpen are gunslinger types, and you know that’s eating at Herm right now. A chance to get a proven player who manages the clock and doesn’t turn the ball over is a dream for Coach.
Grbac-light? I don’t see that. More like Dave Krieg.
August 7th, 2008 at 4:45 amI would not touch Pennington with a 10 foot pole. He doesn’t have the velocity on his throws to compete well in the NFL. Plus, his injury history scares me.
August 7th, 2008 at 5:46 amGuys,
I am actually torn on this one. I think Brodie needs a good line before you can say ANYTHING about his play. Houston screwed up a good prospect in David Carr because of a bad line. I often wonder how Brodie would have done last year if we still had Roaf and Shields on our line?!
As for Chad Pennington…….hm. Yes he has NFL experience over Brodie. Yes he even has more playoff experience than ANY of our QB’s. But what concerns me is not his lack of an arm, but the fact that he has had HOW MANY surgeries on that arem? I do agree bringing him in also sends a BAD message to both Brodie and Tyler. To be honest, from what I am seeing from training camp, Tyler might actually surpass Brodie, solely based on his decision making ability.
No trading for a 32 year old QB is not what the Chiefs are or should be doing. The whole focus is to get younger not another over 30 QB. If that was the case they should have gone after Brett. Glad they didn’t by the way.
August 7th, 2008 at 8:00 amI say bring in Pennington and keep who we have. I could easily go through the 3 QBs we currently have if our line doesn’t protect, right?
Incidentally, I see no way that Pennington waltzes into a starting job here. Croyle and Tyler both have a leg up on him because this offense is completely foreign to Pennington and it is designed for mobile QBs that can throw on the run. As a result, not only would Pennington have to learn the playbook but he would have to have the skills to play in it. That latter point is no small matter in his case.
Speaking of mobile QBs who can throw on the run, anybody know what Casey Printers is up to these days?
August 7th, 2008 at 8:08 amSentence #2 should have read “I could easily see us going through the 3 QBs we currently have . . .”
August 7th, 2008 at 8:09 am[...] Jets now have a capable quarterback, can give Kellen Clemens a quarterback to learn from, and can trade Chad Pennington to the Kansas City Chiefs. The trade also means Brady vs. Favre twice a year. Ugh. All the hype is going to drive me nuts. [...]
August 7th, 2008 at 8:49 amNO, No 1000 times no. Huard is a good number 3 because he knows that’s what he is and what he should be, and he accepts it, because he’s lucky to be that. We don’t need a vet QB putting any pressure, perceived or real, on Croyle or even Thigpen. Chad is too good to be a #3, and there are plenty of temas in a different situation than us where he can be a viable #2.
August 7th, 2008 at 9:14 amI have never seen competition as a bad thing. I think almost every coach would agree with that.
August 7th, 2008 at 10:48 amFrom Pro Football Weekly:
“Chad Pennington and Kellen Clemens have been jockeying for the starting QB job throughout camp, with the more seasoned Pennington holding a slight edge. But both have been underwhelming, and there was legitimate fear that shoddy QB play could ultimately keep the team from reaching the postseason”
That doesn’t sound like Pennington would be an upgrade over Croyle to me!
http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/NFL/AFC/AFC+East/NY+Jets/Spins/2008/spin080708.htm
August 7th, 2008 at 10:57 amlol @ GrbacLight and @ Damon Wayans.
Yo, I wouldn’t mind seeing Pennington back up, but I kinda get sick at his game too. When you need a bullet he’s got a sword…dude just can’t make that tight throw. I don’t think you can hang natural leader on Croyle until he wins at least 6 games…I mean come on.
I prefer the possibility of Huard coming into a game fiery if he has to…not a noodle arm short throwing Dbo. Then again, the age factor is big….I guess in a few weeks my opinion might change. I say screw Thigpen. Grab Chad.
August 7th, 2008 at 1:51 pmTo be fair, how can you say Brodie lacks NFL leadership qualities? You’ve said it yourself; he had virtually no run-game when LJ went down (4 wins with him, 0 without him, remember?) he had shoddy blocking. Playcalling was a definite hamper on our offense in general, especially Brodie. Two runs, then a pass, when everyone knows it’s going to be a pass on 3rd and 5 to 10 yards to go? He wasn’t able to complete because they had extra coverage. We were too predictable. This year I read somewhere that Brodie is going to have a little more flexbility in changing plays at the line. That alone should help, alot.
With an upgraded line, that definetly can pass block better. A solid running game, where LJ is back full strength, and with J. Charles (who I think is better than Kolby, although I still like Kolby.) and better playcalling… this is Brodie’s chance to shine. If he can’t hack it this year, fine, talk smack and we can start talking about getting our hands on another QB. Until he gets a chance though, why do you insist on relentlessly bashing the guy? Tom Brady would have been pwned with our offense last year. Peyton Manning’s consecutive game total would probably have ended, behind our line. You’re perfectly willing to give a 7th round rookie DE a chance, but you want to behead a 3rd round QB who had no help around him. That makes sense.
August 7th, 2008 at 2:00 pmI never said he didn’t have the qualities or potential to be a leader, but as of right now he hasn’t acquired the leadership that a successful NFL QB has.
I know his teammates believe he can be a leader, but he hasn’t earned that yet. Until you win a game in the 4th qtr or playoff game I am not sure your teammates truly respect you in that role. Get what I am saying?
August 7th, 2008 at 2:11 pmAnd with Albert out and a rookie is the O-Line that much better?
August 7th, 2008 at 2:12 pmYou can’t say that he does have leadership yet either.
The whole thing with Brodie is that even his most fervent supports have to admit that he is unproven at the NFL level. End of story.
August 7th, 2008 at 2:13 pmHe’s unproven because he’s inexperienced on the pro level. But leadership is constantly talked about as one of his biggest positives! You can’t argue with the guys who are at practice and in the huddle with him and know what his personality is.
THIS JUST IN:
Pennington released.
August 7th, 2008 at 2:21 pmWell I don’t think his teammates are going to come out and say he is not a leader. I think any teammate always wants to believe there QB is a leader and it should be expected of him. All I am saying that to the rest of us he hasn’t proven that. I am not calling him a bad name or saying he sucks
August 7th, 2008 at 2:25 pmOh and it sounds like the Dolphins are now the front-runner for Chad
August 7th, 2008 at 2:29 pmHmm, I’d have thought the Dolphins would have stuck with Fruit Smoothie (Lemon) and tried to develop their whole team basically at once, with eachother. The Tuna really wants to alter everything about that team. Can’t say that I blame him. Good luck to them, they’re going to need it, especially if they get Chad.
August 7th, 2008 at 3:56 pmxxxlp, the Dolphins released Cleo Lemon a loooong time ago. He’s a Jaguar now. It was really weird to me when they let him go though.. I felt like he was their only good QB.
August 7th, 2008 at 4:46 pmThat’s what I’m saying.. they have basically a fresh new team, and instead of developing a QB at the same time, they ditched on him, and are trying to bring in Chad.. doesn’t make much sense to me. A veteran QB with a very young line/bad WR’s/TE’s isn’t going to amount to much. I would have kept Lemon in that situation.
August 7th, 2008 at 6:18 pm