by Vincent LeVine

Created on: January 03, 2009

After finishing 10-6 in 2006 and making the playoffs, Eric Mangini's New York Jets fell off dramatically in 07, finishing just 4-12, the same finish they had in 05 before Mangini arrived. It was during 07 that starting quarterback Chad Pennington suffered a severe ankle sprain in the season opener against the New England Patriots. The replay was difficult to watch, Pennington's right ankle appearing to rotate a full 360 degrees. Remarkably, after limping off the field, his ankle was heavily taped, and Pennington returned to march his team down the field, much of the yardage on pinpoint passing. He finished 16-of-21 for 167 yards with two touchdown passes to Lavernanues Coles. The Jets lost to the high scoring Patriots 38-14, and the following week Kellen Clemens lined up behind center for the injured Pennington. The Jets lost that contest to the Baltimore Ravens 20-13.

Back on the field for week 3, Pennington was able to move his team efficiently, beating the Miami Dolphins 31-28. In week 4, the Jets lost to the Buffalo Bills 17-14. Pennington was 32-39 for 291 yards and a touchdown, but Thomas Jones, who was signed to a 4 year, 20 million dollar contract during the off-season, gained only 35 yards on twelve carries.

With Pennington taking the snaps, the Jets lost five straight, and were 1-7 going into week 9. That prompted Eric Mangini to bring back Clemens. In week 10 the Jets would beat the Pittsburgh Steelers in overtime on a Mike Nugent 38 yard field goal, 19-16. Although Clemens was just 14-31 for 162 yards and a touchdown, running back Thomas Jones provided 117 yards on 30 carries against the top rated Steelers' run defense, and that was the difference.

Week 12's effort against the Dallas Cowboys was again lackluster, and the Jets suffered a 34-3 pounding. Clemens was just 12-27 for 142 yards without a touchdown pass, while Thomas Jones gained only 40 yards on 17 carries.

Week 13's 40-13 win over the 0-12 Dolphins was the third win of the season for the Jets, second against Miami. Dolphin defensive end Jason Taylor summed up the game this way "They (stink), too. They beat us. They'll go home happy, and their fans will be happy that they got three wins this year. Good for them."

After a week 14 loss to the Cleveland Browns 24-18, Pennington replaced Collins in week 15 against New England after injuring his ribs on the second play from scrimmage. The Patriots would go on to win that game 28-14, improving their record to 14-0, a contest that saw neither Tom

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