Coztanza's Jets Commentary

The absolute panic I have seen from some fans over the poor camp by projected backup QB Brooks Bollinger baffles me.

First it is essential to state the fact that the team does not want to use Bollinger in a situation that matters. That's what Chad Pennington is for. If he goes down, the team is in trouble any way you slice it. The reason a guy is the starter is that he gives the team the best chance to win. Should he become unavailable, the team usually will not get better. 2003 is a great example. Chad goes down in the preseason. Enter Vinny Testaverde, a man whose career passing numbers compare with anybody in NFL history. The team struggles. This team is most likely in trouble without Pennington any way you slice it. Even solid QB play like Vinny offered last year did not make up for what the team lost.

Also remember Jets history. In training camps before he became the starter, it was always reported Chad was coming around slowly and was nowhere near ready to take over this team. Once he became the starter, however, he rallied the team from a 1-4 record to a division title. Sometimes, actual games are the only way some people will progress into what they can be. Perhaps Bollinger will progress in a similar manner.

The Jets also have another quarterback they expect to make the roster. Ricky Ray was a star in the CFL, winning a Grey Cup. The CFL has a pretty good track record in developing quarterbacks. Warren Moon, Doug Flutie, and Jeff Garcia all spent significant time there. Ray might become the next name from that league to make an impact in the NFL.

If the team is unsatisfied with both Bollinger and Ray, there is sure to be a solid veteran who is available by either trade or free agency. There is no reason to believe the team would hesitate to make such a move if necessary.

Also remember that Chad Pennington might stay healthy. That is the idea. There is a good possibility this is a moot point. Pennington is one of those guys who makes everybody around him better. The team has a chance to win every game he plays. The sky becomes the limit. He has the potential to become legendary in New York.

The backup QB situation will be resolved in one way or another. This is a case where the team needs to hope for the best, but prepare for the worst. Nobody thought they could win with their backup two years ago. Maybe in 2004, they'll win with either that backup or his eventual backup.

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• #1 Comment from mnmo3021 
  8/17/04 9:09 PM | Permalink

  any team in the nfl is in "trouble" if there starting qb goes down but before we go out and sign any expensive backups (rich gannon if cut) i want pennington signed to a long term deal,and lets face it there will come a time when chad starts and finishes a season and hopefully this is the first,plus we are approx 25 mill under next years cap so we will re tool then after taking care of our own free agents. go jets !!!!!