MIAMI DOLPHINS
Pennington's name surfaces with Dolphins
Posted on Fri, Aug. 08, 2008
BY JEFF DARLINGTON
The trade that brought quarterback Brett Favre to the New York Jets late Wednesday surely sent an earthquake through the landscape of the Dolphins' division. But it was the aftershock that could have a bigger impact on Miami's future.
On Thursday, the Dolphins engaged in preliminary talks with the agent for former Jets quarterback Chad Pennington, who was released by New York after the team acquired Favre.
A deal is not imminent, but there remains the potential that Pennington could sign with Miami.
At least one other team -- the Kansas City Chiefs -- also has some level of interest, an NFL source said, and Pennington has direct ties to both teams.
On Thursday morning, before the Dolphins made initial contact with Pennington's agent, Tom Condon, vice president of football operations Bill Parcells and coach Tony Sparano initially made comments that would suggest little interest in Pennington.
Sparano said the Dolphins are ''happy with the people we have here now,'' and Parcells told CBS during a prescheduled interview that the team would prefer to build with players younger than Pennington, who is 32.
''I never rule out anything,'' Parcells said when asked by longtime sportscaster Leslie Visser about the prospect of signing Pennington. ``But I think what people would have to realize about Miami is where we are right now.
``We're trying to build this team, preferably, with young players that all could maybe grow up together.''
After those sentiments, however, the Dolphins still contacted Condon about Pennington, two sources said Thursday afternoon.
The Dolphins do have at least two obvious ties to the former Jets quarterback. Parcells directed the Jets' football operations in 2000, when the team spent one of its three first-round draft picks on Pennington.
Dolphins offensive coordinator Dan Henning also ran the Jets' offense during Pennington's rookie season.
Sparano, on the other hand, doesn't have nearly the same level of familiarity.
''I only know about him through playing against him,'' Sparano said. ``I've only heard that he's a very intelligent player. He's always been pretty accurate with what he did with the ball, those kind of things.
``I know the guy's a competitor.''
RISKY BUSINESS
If Miami signs Pennington, it would send a jolt through its quarterback competition. The team also worked out former NFL quarterback Quincy Carter last week, but Pennington's potential addition would mean far more than Carter's addition.
Pennington probably would require some assurance of a clear shot at the Dolphins' starting job, and his signing also would put one of the three quarterbacks currently in camp into severe jeopardy.
Given Parcells' desire to build with youth, veteran Josh McCown could become the odd player out, which makes the idea of signing Pennington seem somewhat extraordinary given the team's recent investment in McCown this offseason.
Before any of those decisions would require attention, plenty would need to take place -- such as more interest from the Dolphins and a mutual interest from Pennington. For now, the discussions have not escalated to such a point.
During his time with the Jets, Pennington was known for historically sound accuracy and unfortunate daunting injuries. After two shoulder surgeries in 2005, Pennington heard even more criticism about having a weak arm.
But his leadership in the locker room has never been questioned, something Dolphins tight end Sean Ryan said would be beneficial for any NFL team.
''Chad is probably one of the best guys overall, on and off the field, that I've ever met,'' said Ryan, who played for the Jets last season. ``He's a consummate leader. He's like having a coach on the field. From a leadership standpoint, I think he's one of the best I've seen.''
OTHER OPTIONS
For now, the Dolphins will continue to focus on their three quarterbacks in camp. And if Pennington doesn't end up signing in Miami -- perhaps instead choosing to play in Kansas City, where he would be reunited with former Jets coach Herm Edwards -- the competition at quarterback for the Dolphins would continue.
And Miami could just keep preparing for Favre, the Jets' new quarterback, whom the Dolphins will face Sept. 7 when the regular season opens in Miami.
''I'm not very happy about what transpired over the course of [Wednesday] night,'' said Dolphins defensive end Vonnie Holliday, talking about Favre's addition to the Dolphins' biggest rival. ``He's certainly going to help the Jets out. He's going to make our jobs a lot tougher.''
Miami Herald sportswriter Armando Salguero contributed to this report.
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