Chad Pennington, Miami Dolphins / Image: Zuma Press

This is a major loss for the Dolphins because Chad was instrumental—some would even say the most important element—in helping the Dolphins improve from a 1-15 team in 2007 to a playoff team last year. He was chosen as the NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year last season and he tied for second behind Peyton Manning in the league’s MVP voting.

In Chad’s absence, an opportunity arises for another Chad—Henne, the quarterback the Dolphins picked after passing on Matt Ryan two years ago. This was eventually going to be his job, but as with most young QBs just getting their first opportunity to be a starter, he’ll have his share of growing pains—ala Matthew Stafford in Detroit. His supporting cast will have to adjust from playing with a seasoned veteran to, essentially, working with a rookie as their offensive leader.

Source: NFL.com

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Chad Pennington Out For the Season

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast

After suffering through a miserable 1-15 rookie season, Miami Dolphins center Samson Satele and his teammates are enjoying the fruits of their labor as the Dolphins accomplished the biggest single season turnaround in National Football League history. Personally, Samson continued to a current 32-game start streak, the longest in team history for an offensive lineman starting a career. The simple recap — the Dolphins went from being the worst team in the NFL to AFC East champs with a home field Wild Card game this weekend against the Baltimore Ravens. I talked with Samson from his home in South Beach after another day at the office. Guest appearance by Samson’s son — Samson LotoToa (meaning “brave heart”) Satele.

• 0:11 – Three games in one week at Dolphin Stadium
• 0:34 – Bill Parcells and head coach Tony Sparano lead new Dolphins
• 1:27 – Almost 40 new players have ignited a rebirth in South Beach
• 1:50 – Learning how to win and developing a winning attitude
• 2:20 – Quarterback Chad Pennington NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year
• 2:49 – Creating the Wild Cat offense and watching the “copy cats”
• 3:22 – Working with trainers and taking care of a 32-game start streak
• 4:02 – The Dolphins have been in playoff mode for the past five games
• 4:52 – Blevins29, Huntington, WV: toughest player and team to block
• 5:41 – Sean, Pensacola, FL: difficulty of adjusting to life on the mainland
• 6:25 – Samson hasn’t cut his hair since he was a freshman in college
• 6:58 – New Year’s resolutions: being a good husband and father

Links: MiamiDolphins.com, NFLPlayers.com, NFL.com

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EMQB Interview: Samson Satele

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning was named the National Football League’s Most Valuable Player today. It was a landslide win as Peyton received 32 votes, well ahead of Miami Dolphins quarterback Chad Pennington and Atlanta Falcons running back Michael Turner, who received four votes each. It was Peyton’s third time to win the NFL’s highest individual honor. Only N.Y. Jets quarterback Brett Favre has won as many league MVP honors. As usual, Peyton had the right words to graciously capture the moment:

“I know it’s an individual award, but … truly, in my opinion, a team award. It’s been the most rewarding regular season that I’ve been a part of in my 11 years, and I have to believe a lot of the other players and even coaches might feel the same way.”

Rewarding is recovering from two operations on his left knee in the preseason. Remember how the Colts’ season and Peyton’s career were in supposed jeopardy? And rewarding is winning nine straight games to qualify for the playoffs after a shaky 3-4 start. The Colts didn’t even win the AFC South this year, something they have become accustomed to doing. That distinction went to the deserving Tennessee Titans, but even the Titans would have to admit no team wants to play the red hot Colts right now. And Peyton is predominantly the reason. During the nine game run, Peyton was 209-of-290 passing for 2,248 yards and 17 touchdowns. He threw only three interceptions and he extended his NFL record 9th 4,000-yard season, finishing with 27 touchdown passes, 12 interceptions and a 95.0 passer rating. MVP worthy numbers? There was no doubt about it. No other player was even close in the voting and that was simply and honestly the reality of the situation.

Source: Colts.com, Photo: Newscom

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Peyton Manning NFL Most Valuable Player

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast

Miami Dolphins quarterback Chad Pennington couldn’t have scripted this any better. The team that discarded him back in the preseason in favor of Brett Favre is the very team that stands between him and the AFC East title — in the final game of the regular season, no less. The N.Y. Jets will host the Dolphins Sunday in one of several huge matchups with playoff implications. And Chad Pennington knows it was meant to be:

“It wasn’t going to happen any other way. It wasn’t.”

What’s even more remarkable than Chad’s story is the fact the Dolphins are on the verge of completing the most remarkable turnaround season in NFL history. Last year the Dolphins were the laughing stock of the National Football League, winning only one game. This season, with Chad as the team’s veteran leader at QB, the Dolphins are an impressive 10-5. And they’ve won their past four games. I don’t think the Dolphins have the weapons to take down the likes of Tennessee or Pittsburgh, but I think they can give any other team in the AFC a run for their money. And if they get the opportunity to play the Titans or Steelers — well, that’s why they play the games.

Source: MiamiDolphins.com, Photo: Newscom

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Chad Pennington on Season Finale vs. Jets: ‘It Wasn’t Going to Happen Any Other Way’

As long as I’m talking about Brett Favre’s success, I need to give props to another quarterback with a new team who had a good night. Veteran Chad Pennington made his preseason debut with the Miami Dolphins, going 5-of-6 for 55 yards, and also scrambling twice for 18 yards in a 19-14 win over the Jags. He looked sharp, but then again, so did anticipated backup QB Chad Henne. Rookie Chad led the Dolphins on three scoring drives, including a two-minute drill at the end of the first half. He finished the night 17-of-26 for 133 yards. For the Dolphins, though, there’s no decision. You go with the experienced Chad Pennington as your starter. He’ll up his Miami IQ each day and barring injury will be ready for full-time duty on September 7 against Brett Favre and his former teammates. Interesting.

Source: NFL.com

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Chad Pennington Sharp in Dolphins Win

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It didn’t take long for Chad Pennington to find a new home after the N.Y. Jets dumped him in favor of Brett Favre this past week. Chad reunited with his former general manager with the Jets, Bill Parcells, by signing a two-year, $11.5 million deal with the Miami Dolphins yesterday. He’s in uniform (but only watching) this evening against the Tampa Bay Bucs:

“I have enjoyed it. I’ve learned a lot, become a better professional and a better man because of my experience and my time in New York. I don’t regret or feel ashamed about anything that happened to me in my time in New York. The most difficult part is just the realization that the organization no longer wants you. You spend eight years there and, in the blink of an eye, you’re no longer wanted there.”

Well, that’s the nature of the business in the National Football League. Feelings don’t matter a whole lot. But Chad is wanted in Miami — as their starter, no less. He’ll bring a wealth of much needed experience to a young Dolphins offense and he’ll be able to prep the other QBs (John Beck, Josh McCown, Chad Henne) for their shot at the starting spot in the future. I have my doubts that the Dolphins will be very good this season, but Chad gives the team their best chance at winning, even if it is only five games.

Source: NFL.com

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Miami Dolphins Sign Chad Pennington

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast

The drama is over. Brett Favre has been traded to the N.Y. Jets. The exact compensation wasn’t immediately available, but it is believed to be a fourth-round draft pick that increases in value depending on how the Jets perform in the 2008 season. If Brett takes 50 percent of total snaps with the Jets in 2008, the fourth-rounder becomes a third-round pick. If he gets 70 percent of the snaps and the Jets make the playoffs, it becomes a second-round pick; and if he gets 80 percent of snaps and the Jets make the Super Bowl, it becomes a first-round pick. My money’s on Brett taking 100% of the snaps and the Jets missing the playoffs. But when you’re getting a future Hall of Fame quarterback who’s coming off one of the best seasons of his storied NFL career, I think the Jets got an unbelievable deal. Jets chairman and CEO Woody Johnson said:

“I am looking forward to seeing Brett Favre in a New York Jets uniform. He represents a significant addition to this franchise, and reflects our commitment to putting the best possible team on the field. Mike Tannenbaum and his football administration staff did a great job of navigating this complex process. I am excited about welcoming Brett, Deanna and their family to the Jets organization.”

Brett likes the limelight and attention. He’ll get plenty of it in New York. As for the Jets, there’s no question they upgraded the position over Chad Pennington and Kellen Clemens. Along with their other offseason additions, this is undoubtedly going to be a team to reckon with in the AFC. How well these new players are going to work together is yet to be seen. The Packers, meanwhile, can lick their wounds from this fiasco as I believe they will struggle to make the playoffs this season.

Sources: ESPN.com, NewYorkJets.com, Photo: Newscom

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Brett Favre Traded to N.Y. Jets

Blogcasting the National Football League, Blogcasting the NFL

Why does Kellen Clemens have the edge over Chad Pennington in the N.Y. Jets quarterback battle this offseason? The current regime that drafted him did so for a reason and they want to see him succeed. Plus, Kellen is more athletic, he’s got a stronger arm, and he’s eight years younger and less prone to injury than Chad. As the Jets open several days of voluntary minicamp today (and even though head coach Eric Mangini has called the battle an open competition), Kellen will gain valuable experience and strengthen his hold on the top spot. I respect Chad and all that’s he’s accomplished in his career in New York, but his days as a starting quarterback in the NFL are over.

Source: NY Post, Photo: Newscom

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Kellen Clemens, Chad Pennington Compete for N.Y. Jets Starting Quarterback Job

After eight games of sub-par football, the 1-7 N.Y. Jets are making a change at quarterback by benching Chad Pennington and promoting Kellen Clemens. It’s time. Chad has suffered through an injury riddled eight-year career and has been on the receiving end of much criticism under the quarterback spotlight in NYC. It’s extremely difficult to play QB in the National Football League and I think Chad has had more than his fair share of harsh judgment. But it’s time for a change. I don’t think Chad’s career is over, but his career as a starter probably is. And his days in New York are most definitely numbered. Behind Kellen Clemens he’d be a highly paid backup with a questionable arm. He’s due big money in the next few seasons. Chad’s contract runs through 2010 and he’s due a $4.8 million base salary next season.

Jets head coach Eric Mangini is making the right call and without delay heading into this weekend’s game against Washington. Kellen will bring a fresher arm and youthful excitement to an offense in dire need of a spark (they’re 30th in total offense) after only managing three points against the Buffalo Bills yesterday. This will be Kellen’s second career start. Coach Mangini said:

“I made this decision not based on singling out Chad for where we are, but based on the fact that I think Kellen has earned this opportunity. I want to give him this opportunity. It’s in no way an indication that Chad is solely responsible. We all are.”

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Slow Starting N.Y. Jets Turn to Kellen Clemens, Chad Pennington Benched