Don’t rule Chad Pennington out of tomorrow’s game against the Ravens.
That message was delivered rather dramatically by how much more mobile and sure on his feet Pennington looked during the 30-minute beginning to yesterday’s practice, which is all the media is allowed to watch.
It, too, was a message that came from a source inside Weeb Ewbank Hall, who yesterday told The Post, “Don’t rule Chad out” of tomorrow’s game at M&T Bank Stadium, where the 0-1 Jets play an angry 0-1 Ravens team in their home opener.
All week, it has been widely speculated – and even reported as a done deal in some places – that Pennington is definitely out and that backup Kellen Clemens will make his first start.
Not so fast. While there remains a good possibility Clemens starts, no final decision has been made, according to the team source, with Pennington still a viable possibility to start.
“He did some stuff (yesterday) and he looked pretty good. I wouldn’t rule him out,” Jets offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer said. “We’ll discuss it (today) and see which way Eric (Mangini) wants to go.”
Pennington, who suffered a right ankle injury while being sacked early in the third quarter of the Jets’ season opener against the Patriots, was planting his feet on three- and five-step drops with much more strength and authority yesterday than he had been in practices earlier in the week.
He walked and even jogged around with barely a hint of a limp.
Pennington looked much more pain-free, mobile and physically capable of running the Jets offense than he did while limping around as he led the Jets to their second touchdown of the game last week.
“He’s improved throughout the week,” Jets tight end Chris Baker said. “He didn’t do very much on Wednesday (in practice), did a little bit more on Thursday and a little bit more (yesterday). It’s encouraging.”
Pennington, who speaks the reporters only after games and on Wednesdays, was unavailable for comment.
Mangini was asked before yesterday’s practice about Pennington’s status.
“Chad’s moving along in his rehab,” he said. “So we’ll look at it and see his progress. He’s as diligent as ever. We’ll make a decision once all the information is in.”
Clemens took all of the first snaps during the early drills yesterday. But that could simply be the Jets trying to get him as much work as possible should he have to start tomorrow.
Pennington, who has been doing his usual comprehensive mental preparation for the Ravens all week, is experienced and savvy enough to go through a week without a lot of reps and still perform tomorrow.
The Ravens have been preparing for either Pennington or Clemens.
“There is a clear-cut, bright-line difference between the style of play,” Ravens coach Brian Billick said of Pennington and Clemens. “You obviously have to account for the physical skills of the guy that is going to step in. Our defensive guys will look and try to anticipate how the gameplan changes if Clemens is the quarterback versus Chad Pennington.”