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TAMPA - Chad Pennington's surgically repaired throwing shoulder is an issue. Again.
On a play hauntingly similar to last Sept. 25, the day he wrecked his shoulder for the second time, the Jets' hard-luck quarterback may have hurt it again last night when his right arm was hit by a blitzing safety in a 16-3 loss to the Bucs at Raymond James Stadium.
Coach Eric Mangini declined to discuss injuries after the game, the preseason opener for both teams, but there were indications that Pennington - in his highly anticipated debut - did something to the shoulder.
After the sack, which resulted in a fumble, Pennington went to the sideline and made at least two dozen warmup throws, with members of the Jets' medical staff watching. It seemed like a curious time for an impromptu bullpen session. Later, sitting on the bench, he flexed his arm a few times, as if trying to test the range of motion.
Afterward, the Jets went to great lengths to shield Pennington from the media. His clothes were removed from his locker, where reporters had gathered, and were brought to him in the trainer's room.
With the team buses waiting for him, Pennington took 45 minutes in the trainer's room before emerging to speak with reporters. Asked if the delay was because he was receiving treatment for an injury, Pennington said, "No, I wasn't getting treatment. I was just kind of looking at the stats and taking my time, to be honest with you."
Something as frivolous as reading a stat sheet wouldn't be a reason for holding up an entire team. Clearly, Pennington was up to something behind closed doors.
Pennington, who didn't appear to have any shoulder wraps or slings under his sport coat, refused to acknowledge he was hurt.
"I did take a few shots . . . but everything worked out fine," he said.
What about the warm-up tosses?
"I just wanted to go ahead and throw and see how it was after I had taken a shot like that, just to make sure everything was fine - and it was," Pennington said.
In his first action since his season-ending shoulder injury, Pennington (9-for-14, 54 yards) played two series, taking at least two hits to the shoulder. The latter came on a safety blitz by Kalvin Pearson, who beat a block by Cedric Houston. Pearson hit Pennington's right arm, and out came the ball.
It was eerily reminiscent to the Paul Spicer hit last Sept. 25, when the Jaguars' defensive end yanked Pennington's arm backward as he prepared to throw. As a result, he required surgery for the second time in eight months.
"Definitely similar, no doubt," Pennington admitted with a nervous laugh.
Pennington was evasive when asked if he expected to be practicing tomorrow when the Jets return to the field. Let the Shoulder Watch begin.
Mangini dodged when he was asked if he was nervous about seeing his presumed starter take a shot to his shoulder.
"If it were any quarterback, I'd feel exactly the same way," he said.
Pennington, who was slated to play only two series, was replaced by rookie Kellen Clemens (10-for-14, 92 yards), who was impressive, leading the team to its only points. Patrick Ramsey (2-for-3, nine yards) handled mop-up duty.
TAMPA - Chad Pennington's surgically repaired throwing shoulder is an issue. Again.
On a play hauntingly similar to last Sept. 25, the day he wrecked his shoulder for the second time, the Jets' hard-luck quarterback may have hurt it again last night when his right arm was hit by a blitzing safety in a 16-3 loss to the Bucs at Raymond James Stadium.
Coach Eric Mangini declined to discuss injuries after the game, the preseason opener for both teams, but there were indications that Pennington - in his highly anticipated debut - did something to the shoulder.
After the sack, which resulted in a fumble, Pennington went to the sideline and made at least two dozen warmup throws, with members of the Jets' medical staff watching. It seemed like a curious time for an impromptu bullpen session. Later, sitting on the bench, he flexed his arm a few times, as if trying to test the range of motion.
Afterward, the Jets went to great lengths to shield Pennington from the media. His clothes were removed from his locker, where reporters had gathered, and were brought to him in the trainer's room.
With the team buses waiting for him, Pennington took 45 minutes in the trainer's room before emerging to speak with reporters. Asked if the delay was because he was receiving treatment for an injury, Pennington said, "No, I wasn't getting treatment. I was just kind of looking at the stats and taking my time, to be honest with you."
Something as frivolous as reading a stat sheet wouldn't be a reason for holding up an entire team. Clearly, Pennington was up to something behind closed doors.
Pennington, who didn't appear to have any shoulder wraps or slings under his sport coat, refused to acknowledge he was hurt.
"I did take a few shots . . . but everything worked out fine," he said.
What about the warm-up tosses?
"I just wanted to go ahead and throw and see how it was after I had taken a shot like that, just to make sure everything was fine - and it was," Pennington said.
In his first action since his season-ending shoulder injury, Pennington (9-for-14, 54 yards) played two series, taking at least two hits to the shoulder. The latter came on a safety blitz by Kalvin Pearson, who beat a block by Cedric Houston. Pearson hit Pennington's right arm, and out came the ball.
It was eerily reminiscent to the Paul Spicer hit last Sept. 25, when the Jaguars' defensive end yanked Pennington's arm backward as he prepared to throw. As a result, he required surgery for the second time in eight months.
"Definitely similar, no doubt," Pennington admitted with a nervous laugh.
Pennington was evasive when asked if he expected to be practicing tomorrow when the Jets return to the field. Let the Shoulder Watch begin.
Mangini dodged when he was asked if he was nervous about seeing his presumed starter take a shot to his shoulder.
"If it were any quarterback, I'd feel exactly the same way," he said.
Pennington, who was slated to play only two series, was replaced by rookie Kellen Clemens (10-for-14, 92 yards), who was impressive, leading the team to its only points. Patrick Ramsey (2-for-3, nine yards) handled mop-up duty.
