http://www.nypost.com/seven/04242007/sports/jets/chad__great_to_feel_normal_jets_mark_cannizzaro.htm By MARK CANNIZZARO SUMMER OF CONTENT: Chad Pennington is enjoying his first offseason in two years without having to rehab an injury ? and is looking forward to the upcoming season. April 24, 2007 -- Chad Pennington looked sharp in his charcoal suit shortly before being honored by the Big Brothers Big Sisters of New York City last night at the Waldorf Astoria. More important, though, Pennington wore a distinct look of relaxed confidence - the kind a starting NFL quarterback wears when he's completely healthy and secure in his job and role. For the first time in his career, Pennington is working through an offseason without having to worry about rehabbing a potentially career-threatening injury, or about the status of his starting job. For the first time in his career, Pennington is attending the team's offseason workout program after having started an entire 16-game schedule. "It's great to feel normal," Pennington, speaking publicly for the first time since the end of the 2006 season, told The Post. "The greatest thing about playing the full regular season is the feeling of knowing that I was available for my team week in and week out. "That's what it's all about. Looking at the great pros that I've been around, like Curtis Martin and Vinny Testaverde, those type of players were always available. That was a nice feeling I was able to experience this past year." Pennington, of course, spent the previous two offseasons rehabbing the rotator cuff in his right shoulder. "The injuries were certainly things that were totally out of my control, but at same time it was a helpless feeling knowing you couldn't help your team on the field," Pennington said. "That's hard to deal with." One element of this offseason that was easy to deal with for Pennington was the Jets' trade for RB Thomas Jones, who immediately upgraded what had been a weak link on offense - the running game. "It just put a smile on my face," Pennington said. "I just said, 'Wow, what a great pickup; what a great pro to help us get better.' It made perfect sense for us. To have Thomas really solidifies that position." As for his own position, Pennington believes a second year in Eric Mangini's system will make him significantly more consistent than he was a year ago. After not publicly endorsing Pennington as the 2007 starter at the end of last season, Mangini anointed him publicly in February. "It didn't surprise me at all," Pennington said of Mangini's initial reticence to name him. "It's clear that coach Mangini came in from Day One and wanted everyone to compete." Pennington, who was named the NFL's Comeback Player of the Year in 2006, surely earned the right to start in 2007. He, of course, is just glad that award is something he won't be eligible for this season. * Pennington, who works with Big Brothers Big Sisters back in West Virginia, was a part of last night's program to increase the awareness that more male mentors are needed. More information can be obtained by visiting www.BigsNYC.org. or calling 1-888-BigsNYC. mark.cannizzaro@nypost.com
