Chad Pennington was officially released by the Jets today and announced it just now.

New York Jets Release QB Chad Pennington

August 7, 2008 — The New York Jets have released QB Chad Pennington. The announcement was made by Jets General Manager Mike Tannenbaum.

“I appreciate everything Chad Pennington has given to the Jets organization,” Jets Chairman and CEO Woody Johnson said.  “He was a part of my first draft as an owner in 2000 and has exemplified nothing but class both on and off the field. I wish him, Robin, Luke and Cole my very best.”

“I have all the respect in the world for Chad as a person and a player,” said Tannenbaum. “We have accomplished a lot of great things with Chad, including winning playoff games, which is very hard to do. He gave his heart and soul to this organization for a long, long time. I really appreciate everything he has done.”

Pennington (6-3, 225/Marshall/Knoxville, TN), the 18^th-overall selection in the 2000 NFL Draft, finished his eight-year Jets career 32-29 as a starter. He ranks number one all-time in NFL history for completion percentage (65.6 percent, 1,259-1,919). In Jets history, Pennington is first in all-time completion percentage and passer rating (88.9), and fourth in Jets history in career passing yards (13,738), touchdowns (82), attempts and completions. He led the Jets to the postseason three times, 2002, 2004 and 2006, winning two playoff games.

In a stunning turn of events, the Jets acquired Brett Favre for a fourth round pick, which could become a two depending on how the team does.

Here’s the release:

Jets acquire QB Brett Favre from Green Bay

August 7, 2008 — The New York Jets have acquired QB Brett Favre from the Green Bay Packers. The announcement was made by Jets General Manager Mike Tannenbaum.

“I am looking forward to seeing Brett Favre in a New York Jets uniform,” said Jets Chairman & CEO Woody Johnson. “He represents a significant addition to this franchise, and reflects our commitment to putting the best possible product on the field. Mike Tannenbaum and his football administration staff did a great job of navigating this complex process. I am excited about welcoming Brett, Deanna and their family to the Jets organization.”

Favre (6-2/222/Southern Miss/Kiln, MS), a veteran of 17 NFL seasons, the last 16 in Green Bay, is the league’s all-time leader in touchdowns passes (442), completions (5,377), attempts (8,758), yards (61,655) and victories as a quarterback (160). Since Sept. 20, 1992, he has started 253 consecutive regular season contests (275 including postseason), leading the Packers to a record of 160-93 (.632).  During his 16 seasons in Green Bay, Favre has quarterbacked the Packers to 11 postseason appearances, seven division titles, four NFC Championship games and two Super Bowls, including a victory in Super Bowl XXXI. A three-time Associated Press Most Valuable Player (1995, 1996, 1997), he threw for 4,155 yards and 28 touchdowns in 2007, completing a career-high 66.5 percent of his passes. The 2007 campaign marked his fifth season with more than 4,000 passing yards as the Packers finished second in the NFL in total offense. The former Southern Miss signal-caller has logged 40 fourth-quarter comebacks, eight seasons with 30 or more touchdowns and 55 300-yard passing games. Favre was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the second round of the 1991 NFL Draft (33rd overall) and acquired by the Packers on Feb. 10, 1992 for the 17th overall pick in the 1992 NFL Draft. The Falcons traded that pick to Dallas, who selected CB Kevin Smith (Texas A&M).

J-E-T-S

This is not a joke….a post!

So something called the NFL draft took place this weekend.  Thankfully,  the Jets didn’t do anything too stupid.

Oh, you’re harsh Lucky you say!  How could you say something like that?

This explains it all (OH NO!)

Anyway, they got the guy they needed, Vernon Gholston, from the Ohio State University.   

Gholston will be used as a pass rushing 3-4 linebacker in the Mangini scheme.   It’s a pick that makes too much sense.  The defense last year was just downright awful.     Getting a guy like Gholston will help.    He’s a physical speciman, chiseled out of stone like a hero from Greek mythology.   Unfourtnately, that doesn’t mean too much in the NFL unless you know what to do with it.

The knock on Gholston is that he took plays off with the Buckeyes and his concentration isn’t always there.    I don’t know about most people, but I find it frightening that scouts and experts are saying that Gholston doesn’t have that mental edge.   Physical limitiations can be overcome….mental ones are destructive.

The Jets went Big Ten in their next pick, moving up back into the first round to take Dustin Keller from Purdue.  The Jets track record with tight ends in the first round isn’t really good: Johnny Mitchell.  Anthony Becht (ugh, what a nightmare he was) A first round pick for Doug Jolley.   And even though he wasn’t a first round pick, Chris Baker, who’s constant whining and moaning is getting old.  Chris, you’re not really that good…shut up.

Keller has big play ability and has been compared to a Ben Watson type of player.    I’ll take that.  Super athletic, in the Antonio Gates mode, giving defensive coordinators nightmares. If Keller can be used in a similar manner, it’s a home run of a pick.

Other picks of note: Erik Ainge, quarterback Tennessee.   Had a decent college career and was coached by the same QB coach that coached Peyton and Eli Manning who compares him to those two.  Provides competition and projects as a long term project.

Marcus Henry – another wideout.   Really, a late round long term project.   The wide receiver class this year wasn’t strong and the Jets passed on a few good ones, including Devin Thomas, DeSean Jackson, Mario Manningham, and Limas Sweed.

Overall, not a bad draft and the team did improve.

Back at posting on this blog, which is becoming therapeutic every single week I do it.  For those who read this, I’ll be running a live blog during the NFL Draft, with special attention to the Jets pick.

Big news for the Jets was the re-signing of Kerry Rhodes for $33.5 million big ones.

Five year deal with $20 million guaranteed.   Considering all the money that was being spent on free agents, it was good to see the Jets lock up one of their own.   Rhodes, who was unfairly robbed of a Pro Bowl season in 2006, had a bit of a down year –68 tackles, two sacks, but did have a career high in picks with five interceptions.

He’s 25-years-old, an upcoming safety and an extremely important part of Mangini’s defense.     Good investment here.

The battle between New York and Boston continues, as Victor Hobson signed with the Pats for a one year deal.

I dont think anyone is going to be crying any tears that Hobson is gone, but you’ve got to wonder what Coach Voyeur will be able to do with him.  I’m half-jokingly saying this, but you’ve got to wonder is Belichick signing him because he can’t videotape the Jets signals anymore?

Just a couple of weeks until the draft and it’s all quiet on the Western Front in terms of who the Jets are going to pick.  The Dolphins are in talks with Michigan offensive tackle Jake Long’s agent.

Whether it’s Parcells setting up a smoke screen is hard to say.  Not that the Jets were going to take Long, but the board gets a little less murky with Long going to the Fish.

Back soon with more thoughts.