Pennington to Return?

In August 2008 the New York Jets released their starting quarterback of six years when they traded for Brett Favre. Soon after, the Dolphins scooped him up and made him their starting quarterback. In the 2008 season Pennington earned Comeback Player of the Year, leading the Dolphins to an 11-5 record and the playoffs.

This season was not as successful for Pennington as the previous year, as Pennington went down with another shoulder injury in the middle of the team's week three game against the Chargers. On October 1, Pennington had his third shoulder surgery in five years, which has led his career in doubt.

In Pennington's absence, rookie Chad Henne more than held his own, proving to the Dolphins that he could be the quarterback of the future. Now Pennington is a free agent and there has been talk that the Dolphins will not retain his services.

One possibility for Pennington's next destination is where it all started, the New York Jets. However, if Pennington does return, it would not be to his old starting quarterback role. His new role with the Jets would be Mark Sanchez's back-up.

While acknowledging it "would be tough" to return to the team that fired him only 19 months ago, Pennington - an unrestricted free agent in four weeks - told the Daily News Thursday he would definitely listen if GM Mike Tannenbaum called.

"I'd be crazy not to be interested," Pennington said. "Once you think you're too big where you can't entertain every opportunity, you'd better be careful because you'll be looking from the outside in."

Pennington's shoulder injuries have kept him from securing a chance to start regularly at this stage of his career, but his willingness to understand the situation and to realize that the move to release him in 2008 to make room for Brett Favre was just a business decision is likely to make things a little easier for him to find a job in the league.

Current Jets backup Kellen Clemens will be a restricted free agent in March and rumors thus far indicated that the Jets intend to tender Clemens a second-round offer, which would net the team a second-round pick should he sign elsewhere.

Even though Clemens won his only start in 2009, filling in when Sanchez was injured, he was underwhelming and didn't win the confidence of the organization. He also has fallen behind Sanchez in terms of experience (nine career starts to Sanchez's 18), and the team would like a seasoned backup who can be a mentor to their still-maturing franchise quarterback.

However, signing Pennington to be Sanchez's back-up would be a brilliant move. He would be able to show Sanchez the ropes and how to be a professional. Pennington is the most accurate passer in NFL history and he would be able to show Sanchez how to become an accurate passer, while also provided that veteran back-up presence that the Jets desperately need incase of another injury to Sanchez.

Imagine if Pennington was the Jets starter this past season. Maybe the Jets would have made it to the Super Bowl with the precision passing of Pennington. Maybe not. Of course no one will ever know, but both Pennington and Sanchez could throw their fare share of completions to the other team.

Nonetheless, if the Jets bring Pennington aboard, Sanchez will surely improve under his tutelage and become that much better of a quarterback.