Chad Pennington

I don’t know.  Maybe it is just me but I am really getting tired of the praising of Chad Pennington that is going on from every NFL commentator and analyst.  Are the Dolphins better this year, for sure, no question.  To be fair they were 1-15 last season so being better isn’t that big of a step but they are way better and over 500.  This has most, if not all, analyst on their knees handing over the crown to Chad Pennington.  Here is Pennington’s stat line:

201/300 – 67%

2374 yards

8TD 5INT

92.8 rating

These are not the stats of a superhero as everyone is making him out to be.  This is a game manager.  These are not the stats of a guy who will win the game for you, they are from a guy who probably won’t lose it for you.  Know who also fits in the category???  Kyle Orton!!!!!!!!  Nobody is talking about what a great QB he is.  Most are actually saying Chicago has a QB issue.  Now Orton does not have as many yards as Pennington but he has more touchdowns and less interceptions. 

I have another stat that may put thing in perspective.  Ronnie Brown has more rushing touchdowns then Chad Pennington has total touchdowns, and Brown is certainly not looking to break any records.  So a running back that is splitting carries has more touchdowns then a QB taking all the snaps.

I am not saying that better QB play isn’t contributing to the improvement of the Dolphins I just think crowning him as king is wrong.  So why are they better?  Well it probably starts with the defense being ranked 14th instead of 23rd like they were last year.  A pass rusher leading the league in sacks.  When you combine that with innovative play calling, keeping your 2 best offensive players (Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams) on the field most of the time and finding new ways to get it into their hands it adds up to a much better team.

So please commentators and analyst please take the rose colored glasses off and actually look at the stats, you will see that Pennington is an average quarterback at best with a better coaching staff and team around him then was there last year.