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Jets notebook: They're lacking strength at QB
Monday, August 01, 2005
BY DAVE HUTCHINSON
Star-Ledger Staff

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. -- Throwing for the third consecutive day for the first time since undergoing surgery Feb. 8 to repair his torn right rotator cuff, Jets quarterback Chad Pennington's arm is clearly weak, even for Chad Pennington.

And, for the first time, coach Herman Edwards admitted Pennington had "big-time" surgery. In the past, the Jets have tried to downplay the extent of Pennington's surgery, saying he had only a slight tear and he'll be ready for the opener, no problem.

Pennington, never known for his arm strength and unavailable for comment, underthrew both of his deep passes (approximately 40 yards) during yesterday's afternoon practice, with one being intercepted and another caught by a leaping Justin McCareins over diminutive cornerback Ray Mickens. On Saturday, Pennington underthrew another deep ball, and it was intercepted by cornerback David Barrett.

"He's not all the way well yet," Edwards said. "That's going to happen and that's okay. I'd rather him to do that than sit there and go, 'Okay, I'm just going to throw 10-yard outs, 15-yard outs and not throw the ball down the field.' Because at the end of the day, the more he does, the better he's going to understand where he's at throwing the ball. If he never threw it, then he'd never know. So I think that's a good sign that's he's willing to do that. That's a good thing, not a bad thing."

Edwards said he planned to talk to Pennington to see if he'll throw again today or rest.

"I expect him to practice (today)," Edwards said. "He's told you, he's not 100 percent. He had "big-time" surgery. You have to come back and he's ahead of schedule. For him to play last year the way his arm was, that's to his credit."

WR Laveranues Coles
pulled up lame near the end of practice yesterday afternoon (the lone full- squad session) and appeared to injure his right toe or foot. The extent of the injury is unknown. Coles walked gingerly off the practice field, though he took time to greet Edwards' pregnant wife, Lia.

Last season, Coles had an arthritic right big toe that nagged him all season. The Redskins wanted him to have surgery, but he refused, a disagreement that hastened his departure.

skinsfan1 wrote:Glad we were right about coles's toe.

Jets notebook: Pennington still falling short
Tuesday, August 02, 2005
BY DAVE HUTCHINSON
Star-Ledger Staff

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. -- Another deep ball, another interception.

Quarterback Chad Pennington, who is recovering from off-season rotator cuff surgery, continues to struggle with the deep ball (approximately 40 yards). He underthrew his only deep ball during an 11-on-11 drill in yesterday's afternoon practice at Hofstra. The pass was intercepted by free safety Erik Coleman.

He also made a poor read on the play because Coleman was playing a perfect center field.

It marked the third day in a row Pennington has been intercepted trying to complete a deep pass -- he's 1-of-4 -- and the fourth consecutive day he has thrown.

Earlier, Pennington, who has looked so-so in drills, took umbrage when his struggles with the deep ball were pointed out, saying he's "just taking baby steps." Though he doesn't have a big arm, new offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger likes to throw the ball downfield and Pennington must deliver.

"I haven't come up short, I threw behind," Pennington admonished reporters between practices yesterday.

"I've thrown three post (patterns) since January 16 (the day after the Steelers playoff game). That's why we're out here. That's why I'm out here: to work on offensive schemes.

"A lot of our schemes, we're pushing the ball down the field and the only way that I'm going to experience success is if I experience failure and see what I can and can't do with the throws."

Heimerdinger said he's not concerned about Pennington's early camp troubles.

"The best part right now is that he (Pennington) could have come out and said, 'I'm worried about the shoulder,' and shut it down all day and just throw the short stuff, but he's getting it downfield," Heimerdinger said.

WR Laveranues Coles
injured his right heel near the end of practice Sunday but returned to practice yesterday. ...

Chris Luva Luva wrote:

skinsfan1 wrote:Glad we were right about coles's toe.

Its been reported that it was his heel instead of his toe. Time will tell.