August 6, 2008 10:16 PM
Will Favre trade affect AFC West?
Sorry, but it's hard to stay off the blog -- even when I'm taking time off. Brett Favre could be headed to the New York Jets. Hallelujah!
Now, what does this mean for the Broncos. First, the Broncos would play on the road against Favre and the Jets on Nov. 30. More interesting, I think, is the possible impact Favre's trade could mean to the AFC West.
In particular, the Kansas City Chiefs. The Chiefs have Brodie Croyle starting at quarterback, with 12-year veteran Damon Huard as a backup. Pennington, when healthy, is a significant upgrade over either quarterback on the Chiefs roster.
See, I go back to a conversation I had last month with Chiefs head coach Herman Edwards. We were talking about the development of young quarterbacks, and that tight mental connection coaches hope to make with the quarterback.
Edwards said during his days with the Jets, he felt he developed that tight connection with Chad Pennington. WIth Favre, the Jets will have to let go of either Pennington or Kellen Clemens. Clemens was a second-round pick in 2006. Pennington was a first-round pick in 2000. He is in his ninth NFL season.
Watch for the Chiefs and Pennington to connect if and when a Favre trade to the Jets becomes official.
August 7, 2008
2:38 PM
JD writes:
Frankly, I was more concerened about the Chiefs making a move for Favre. He would have significantly improved the KC offense, which is poorly represented at QB.
Fortunately, Coach Edwards has always been overly sentimental where players are concerned. The post-Edwards Jets have been looking for an excuse to part ways with Pennington, but the replacement talent level wasn't there until Favre.
Once the Jets became a primary suitor for Favre's services, KC's lack of interest in Favre took on a new significance. Edwards was clearly thinking about Pennington.
This is typical in contemporary NFL strategies. In fact, I'm sure that the Vikings were looking at Garcia in the event Favre went to TB.
Unlike the NYJ fans who could not see past the fact that Pennington was NOT Brady, I believe he would add immediate value and threat to the Chief's offense. Gonzales', Bowe' and even LJ's opportunities would be enhanced due to Pennington's accuracy (behind a decent 0-Line) and consistency.
It would certainly make the AFC West more interesting. I for one think that would be a good thing. Strong competition forces strong play to succeed.
Besides, I'm sick to death of Robert Kraft' Patriots waltzing in to the post-season as a result of fluffy schedules. An AFC West Team needs to knock them down for the count...:)
Go Broncos!!!!
August 7, 2008
3:57 PM
JD writes:
Frankly, I'm glad Favre went to the big media market Jets. One of my concerns as a Broncos fan was that the Chiefs would make a move for him. Yet, they remained suspiciously silent.
Favre would have instantly legitimized the current KC offense, which, in my opinion, is only missing a decent QB. Gonzales, Bowe and LJ would have become fantasy football studs with the acquisition of a consistent, accurate and experienced signal caller.
Still, the Chiefs and their Coach, Herm Edwards, remained silent. why? Well, Coach Herm has always been sentimental where his players were concerned. Chad Pennington was Coach Herm's project while he was with the Jets. Too, the Chiefs don't actually NEED a superstar...just a competent QB.
The Jets have been looking for a reason to can Pennington since before Coach Herm's departure. The reasons had less to do with Pennington's talent than with the fact that he could not be Brady. The New York media spotlight is a withering thing...as Favre may soon learn.
Once the Jets emerged as one of the primary targets of a trade deal with the Packers, I believe Coach Herm's imagination got to working.
I won't be surprised to find Pennington in a Chiefs uniform before too long....assuming Minnesota doesn't make a grab for him (yes, he IS better than Tavaris Jackson..:) Such an acquisition will have a similar, if less pronounced, effect on the AFC West power rankings as if Favre had been signed.
The glaring weakness of the KC Chiefs the past couple of seasons has been inconsistant, or bad play from the QB. Pennington could correct that and, should he stay healthy, drive the Chiefs into title contention, should SD suffer from Turner-itis and the Broncos not recover from the train wreck that was last season.
Thats my opinion and I'm sticking with it...:)
August 7, 2008
3:58 PM
JD writes:
Well...now that was redundant...sorry...:)