Mangini Is Open to Pennington Returning to the Jets ... in a Mesh Hat and Coaching Shorts

Things just keep getting better for Chad Pennington. After he was unceremoniously run out of New York to make way for the love child of Peter King and John Madden, he landed the starting job in Miami, and now, this: Jets head coach Eric Mangini told the New York Post that he would be open to having Pennington return to the sidelines. One small caveat, though:

Mangini is open to the idea of deported quarterback Chad Pennington Chad Pennington returning to the Jets New York Jets -- as a coach. ...

"I wouldn't be opposed to that at all," Mangini told reporters today. "I'm sure he'd be able to do a great job. If that's what he wanted to do, he'd be a great coach."

It's hardly scandalous, however; Mangini says he and Pennington are close, and it sounds like he genuinely respects the guy who he had battling Kellen Freaking Clemens for a job.

The two remain close, according to Mangini, who said he thinks Pennington has a successful future awaiting him in football when his playing days are done.

"I have a great relationship with Chad," Mangini said. "I hope to talk to Chad after the game, after the next game, in the future. Chad's going to be, not only a good football player for a long time, I could see him having a role in football after he's through playing.

"He's got a great mind. Maybe he'll be on TV. Maybe he'll be coaching. The guy can do whatever he wants. He's smart, well­spoken and knowledgeable."

And unlike most people, Mangini isn't willing to underestimate Pennington's arm strength, which seems like a good idea, at least if you agree that, as one of the brightest young football minds pointed out last week, "brains are a tad more important than being able to throw a football through a wall".