Around the AFC East, Part II - New York Jets

NY Landing Strip: SB Nation's New York Jets blog

Now under center: Jetfighter from SB Nation's New York Jets blog, NY Landing Strip.

tommasse: Why is everyone so down on Chad Pennington? He had an excellent season last year, he says he feels great, and he's had a good minicamp.

Jetfighter: Hmmmm....everybody is always down on Chad Pennington, even the CP fans like me!  People are down on CP because of his injury ridden past and how fragile he is.  This almost sounds like George Bush, but that is for another day.

People feel that he can't get the job done.  Before all of his injuries, his deep ball barely existed, so they think now post surgery he can't throw more than 15-20 yds. with much zip. If you are a smart defensive coordinator, you realize this and take that away.   Force him to throw outside on the comeback routes, force him to throw deep, and take away the middle of the field which is his bread and butter with a heavy barrage of blitzes.

I feel that maybe after an offseason where he hasn't rehabbed for the 3rd straight offseason, he can work on building his arm muscle to throw passes with zip and get an active deepball very similar to his 2002 season when he was a sensation to the league.

tommasse's retort: Sure, Pennington was "injury prone." Who did he have in front of him? With improvements on the offensive line, a defense that can keep games close, and a coach that has a clue, Pennington doesn't have to carry the team on his feeble shoulders and has a much better chance of success. And look at the rest of the QBs in the league. At worst, a healthy Pennington is easily in the top half and potentially in the top 10. (I still don't get the Bush comment, but let's try to limit the political banter, shall we? Thanks.)

OK, it's your turn. Step up to the Pulpit and say your piece. And if you have a question you want me to ask next week, email me, and I'll pose the best queries to our friends at Buffalo Rumblings, The Phinsider and NY Landing Strip.