I root for two teams: first, the Cleveland Browns, who I grew to cheer for over the past 7-8 years; and second, the Miami Dolphins, who I grew up cheering for.
After yesterday, it appears that neither of my favorite teams has a quarterback any longer.
First, in Cleveland, anointed starter Brady Quinn played so poorly through the first ten quarters of 2009 that he was benched in favor of a guy, Derek Anderson, who played so poorly last year that he was benched after being given a contract extension.
Then, during the Dolphins’ loss to the Chargers, Chad Pennington — a revelation last year during his first season in Miami — went down with an injury and was replaced by Chad Henne. The young QB from Michigan sputtered and could not lead the Dolphins to victory, and now it appears that Pennington could be out for the season.
Ugh.
And double ugh.
According to ESPN’s Chris Mortenson, the latest injury update on Chad Pennington is that he has a torn capsule in his throwing shoulder. Mort’s sources are telling him that Pennington will not return in 2009.
He is reportedly seeking a second opinion from Dr. James Andrews, but no one is apparently optimistic that said second opinion will yield results any different from the first.
This is now the third time that Pennington has dealt with significant injuries to his throwing shoulder. And for a guy who already had questionable arm strength, this injury can’t bode well for his future as a starting quarterback in the NFL.
I’ll update this post if there is anything new to report on Pennington, but it doesn’t sound optimistic.
As for the Browns…well there isn’t really much to say. Eric Mangini has, predictably, refused to name a starting QB for next week’s home game against Cincinnati. I guess he figures that with our offense looking so horrendously pathetic through three games, not naming a starter is the only possible advantage he has…no matter how infinitesimally small of an advantage it provides.
When both of your quarterbacks are playing like garbage, and getting no help from the other ten guys on offense, the truth is that it probably doesn’t matter who Mangini names.
Heck, at this point, Chad Pennington — right now, injured — might be a better option for the Browns.
It’s too bad the Browns and Dolphins don’t play eachother this year. Â At least then I’d know that one of them is guaranteed to win a game this season.
Thanks for reading. Excuse me while I lay my head down on my keyboard and cry.
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* – Chad Pennington photo credit: Donald Miralle/Getty Images via Bleacher Report
About Jerod Morris
