While making trips on and off Injured Reserve, Pennington got the majority of the Jets' starts from 2002 to 2007. Pennington, who spent his last three playing seasons with the Dolphins (2008-10), caught up with NewYorkJets.com to discuss his thoughts on recently-hired offensive coordinator Tony Sparano and Sanchez.
Pennington had a little reminder for Sanchez's critics.
“You’ve got to remember he only played one year of college ball as a starter," Pennington told NewYorkJets.com. "He’s a young guy, only in his third year in the league. He never had the chance to make mistakes behind closed doors.
"He’s always been out in front of everybody because he’s been the starter. He must get better and mature. I just think it’s a matter of time. The ball’s in his court.”
Sanchez's numbers have improved each season, but the Jets went 8-8 in 2011 after making the AFC Championship game in Sanchez's first two years.
With former offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer out of New York, Pennington expects Sparano, Pennington's coach in Miami, to get the Jets back to the no-nonsense style of football Jets coach Rex Ryan prefers his team play.
“Well, knowing (Sparano) as a head coach, I think he will require his offense to do three things: No. 1, be physical. No. 2, avoid turnovers. And No. 3, avoid negative plays," Pennington said.
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