Chad Pennington will be back in a Jets uniform in 2008.
That was one of the strongest and most significant messages to come from Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum yesterday during a press conference at Weeb Ewbank Hall.
“I expect Chad to be back,” Tannenbaum said. “At the end of the day, Eric (Mangini) will decide who plays and who doesn’t play, but it will be based on who gives us the best chance (to win)” between Pennington and Kellen Clemens.
Tannenbaum said he had a “quick” conversation with Pennington, who’s signed through 2011, after the season ended and conveyed that message to him.
Asked what his reaction to Pennington’s insistence that he sees himself as a starter, Tannenbaum said, “I have that understanding. I don’t know if he said that to me directly, but I would think that’s positive from his standpoint.”
When Tannenbaum was asked if he might trade Pennington if a team came to him with a good offer, he joked that he would “consider” trading the Jets director of media relations Bruce Speight if someone offered him a second-round draft pick.
Considering the dearth of available quarterbacks in the free agent market, a team (Dolphins, Bears, Ravens, Vikings?) offering the Jets good value for Pennington could certainly pry him away.
“We’ll listen to anything, but I expect Chad to be back,” Tannenbaum said. “I expect him to be back (and) I expect him to compete with Kellen.”
Asked if he anticipate asking Pennington, who’s due to make $4.8 million in 2008, to take a pay cut, Tannenbaum said, “We’re comfortably under the (salary) cap right now (about $27 million), so I don’t see the economics driving any decision right now with him being here or not being here.”
Tannenbaum addressed a few other topics as well, including:
* Eric Mangini. He said he thought Mangini “did a really good job this year,” citing his development of the young players.
* Brian Schottenheimer. He confirmed that he’s given permission to the Ravens to interview the Jets offensive coordinator for their vacant head coaching position.
* Pete Kendall. He said, “I’ve personally learned from that experience and tried not to let small things become big things and try to be more pro-active than reactive. Obviously, it’s unfortunate how public it became. I don’t think that’s good for him or the team.”
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Here are some interesting numbers to digest with regard to the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Year, which was won by 49ers LB Patrick Willis.
In 16 starts, Willis had 174 total tackles (an average of 10.9 per game), 135 solos (8.4 per game), four sacks and two forced fumbles.
Jets rookie LB David Harris, in nine starts, had 127 total tackles (14.1 per game), 90 solos (10 per game), five sacks and two forced fumbles.
Which player had the better season? Hmmm.