Posted by Josh Katzowitz

It’s official. Dolphins QB Chad Pennington, coming off a season-ending shoulder surgery and an ACL tear, will sit out 2011 and then reevaluate his health to see if he wants to return to the game at all.

That’s what he told the Charleston (W.V.) Daily Mail, saying that he is going to spend this season working for Fox Sports as an NFL analyst and trying to get healthy for yet another possible comeback.

Pennington was the Dolphins starter in 2009, but injured his shoulder in the third game of the season and missed the rest of the year. Then, on the first play of the first game of 2010, he suffered another shoulder injury that ended his season.

Then, in March, he tore his ACL while playing pickup basketball.

"(Playing basketball) was just a dumb decision," Pennington told the paper. "I was in town in March, doing some (1st and 10) foundation work and decided to play in a pickup basketball game and tore my ACL. I haven't played (football), I wasn't training real hard at the time because I was doing some shoulder rehab, and my legs weren't ready to play basketball, so it was just dumb.”

He had knee surgery April 7, and since then, he hasn’t had any major setbacks. But Pennington will turn 35 later this month, and even though the Dolphins QB situation is still very much unclear – is Chad Henne going to be the guy or not? – you have to wonder if Pennington ever will feel completely healthy enough to return to the game.

Yet no matter how you feel about Pennington or his ability going forward, you really shouldn’t count out this guy. He is, after all, a two-time Comeback Player of the Year award winner.

“It seems,” Pennington said, “like I majored in that.”

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Posted by Ryan Wilson

• Come again? We think it goes without saying that Nnamdi Asomugha is a better corner than, say, the Steelers' Ike Taylor -- but apparently not. Using facts and common sense, Shutdown Corner's Doug Farrar takes the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review's John Harris to task for suggesting that Taylor is better than Asomugha. 

• Nice bow tie. Last week, LaMarr Woodely unveiled his list of the top NFL linebackers. Yes, it was heavy on Steelers and former Michigan players. Tuesday, Dhani Jones had his turn. And not only did he rank himself No. 7 but ahead of Lance Briggs and Brian Urlacher, who was left off the list altogether. 

• It counts. We mentioned earlier today that the Dolphins should pass on Terrelle Pryor because of the recent Pat White failed experiment. White was out of the NFL after one year, but it looks like he will soon resurface with the UFL's Virginia Destroyers. 

• Still wanted: QB. Pat White may not have been the answer (and Pryor almost certainly isn't), but according to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, the Dolphins' first order of business once the lockout ends will be finding a veteran QB to compete with Chad Henne. 

• We need Matlock. If there's something we can all get behind it's that the lawyers shouldn't be allowed in the room during CBA negotiations. PFT's Mike Florio offers up yet another reason to lock out the lawyers: money (shocking, right?). 

• Not surprising at all, really. Beanie Wells says he was surprised the Cardinals drafted running back Ryan Williams in the second round. That makes one of us. Silver lining: Wells says, “This is definitely going to be my year without a doubt.” Which should come as a relief to whoever ends up under center in Arizona. 

• I knew him when he had hair. Titans offensive coordinator Chris Palmer has known Matt Hasselbeck (and the Hasselbeck family) for 25 years. This could be good news for Jake Locker. 

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Posted by Ryan Wilson

If you're of the opinion that Ray Lewis and Ed Reed would be good locker room influences on any player with off-field issues, then you may have no problem with John Clayton's suggestion that the Ravens might be one of five teams willing to take a flyer on Terrelle Pryor. If you don't buy the initial premise (and some folks are understandably skeptical), then the whole argument falls apart.

Writing for ESPN, Clayton admits that "This might be a bit of a reach, but as a lower-round selection Pryor could interest the Ravens as a receiver. Having him learn under Anquan Boldin would be the key. Boldin was a quarterback in college and uses the knowledge gained there to put himself in position to help his quarterback."

We agree. It's a reach. Not because the Ravens aren't willing to gamble with talented but troubled players (they are), but because if we're to take agent Drew Rosenhaus at his word (we'll wait while you quit laughing), he thinks Pryor is not only an NFL quarterback but a "first-round pick."

Perhaps that stance will soften as teams explain to Rosenhaus that his client probably isn't worth more than a fourth-rounder. Although, as Mike Mayock pointed out Wednesday night, "Nobody is better than Rosenhaus in driving perceived value. … Sometimes perceived value is almost as good as real value if he can get enough people talking about [Pryor] as a first-round pick."

Other possible destinations, according to Clayton: Oakland, Miami, Pittsburgh and Washington.

Terrelle Pryor's NFL future

Another UFL coach scoffs at Terrelle Pryor Rosenhaus expects Pryor to be a '1st-round pick' Ochocinco defends, works out with Pryor Analyst gives Pryor 'late round' grade Marty Schottenheimer wouldn't want Pryor Pryor's NFL future looks dim

The Raiders makes sense because, well, it's the Raiders. Once Al Davis sees Pryor's 40 time, he very well could be a first-rounder. Still, that doesn't mean it's a good idea.

Clayton says the Dolphins "want to add someone to compete against Chad Henne," and we agree. It's just not going to be Pryor. Remember: Miami wasted a second-rounder on Pat White two years ago. Pat White is now out of the NFL.

As for Pittsburgh, Clayton notes that, "Many scouts believe Pryor potentially has Dennis Dixon-like ability as quarterback." Dennis Dixon also never had off-field issues (just the opposite, in fact). He's also been an adequate NFL backup and nothing more. Probably not worth the potential headaches that will accompany Pryor, even if Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau is impartial to Ohio State players.

Finally, there are the Redskins. Like the Raiders -- and given their blindfold-and-a-dartboard personnel philosophy -- it makes too much sense not to happen. To Clayton's credit, he calls Pryor-to-Washington a long shot, even given the fact that Mike Shanahan doesn't have an starting-caliber QB currently on the roster.

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Posted by Ryan Wilson

In today's edition of News That Should Surprise No One: The Miami Herald's Barry Jackson writes about the possibility the Dolphins might pursue Vince Young once the labor dispute is settled. However, Jackson dds the obvious "concerns about maturity" caveats.

"(One) official who has spoken with the Dolphins said there’s concern about whether Young would be happy as a backup if Chad Henne beat him out. Remember, Young wasn’t happy when he lost his job in Tennessee. Speaking about no one specifically, Dolphins general manager Jeff Ireland said, 'You can’t guess about' a quarterback’s 'accountability and dependability.' Those have been issues with Young."

To be fair, Young should have been upset when he lost his job to Kerry Collins in 2008. Not because Young deserved the job, but because he was faced with the reality of not being able to beat out a 35-year-old who went three years between being a full-time starter in the NFL (and his last gig was with the Raiders). Young started 13 games as a rookie in 2006, even making the Pro Bowl. Two seasons later he was on the bench, a vantage point he got to know pretty well until the Titans finally decided they had had enough following the 2010 season.

The thing is, Young is, well, still young. He will be 28 when the 2011 season starts. And it's not like we're talking about JaMarcus Russell here. VY isn't a kid with a ton of talent who refuses to work hard. It's just that his on-field abilities are often obscured by lapses in judgment and pouting fits. He didn't handle getting benched well, and he had frequent run-ins with then-coach Jeff Fisher. Right or wrong, have enough incidents and you develop a reputation.

But if you're willing to overlook all the baggage, Young wasn't bad last season. He completed 59.6 percent of his throws, tossed 10 touchdowns and just three interceptions, and averaged five yards a rush. According to Football Outsiders, Young ranked fifth (!) among all NFL quarterbacks in value per play behind Tom Brady, Ben Roethlisberger, Philip Rivers, and Aaron Rodgers. Henne ranked 22nd and Collins was 26th.

The issues with Young have never been physical. It's always been between the ears; his ability to deal with adversity, something that he was rarely confronted with in college.

Last month, Ireland laid out his criteria for finding veteran quarterbacks. Money quote, via the Sun-Sentinel:

“You’ve got to know what you’re going to get,” Ireland said, answering Jessie Angler’s question about the intangibles he’s looking for. “The intangible side of things. You have to know exactly what you’re going to get from the person. You can’t guess about work ethic. You can’t guess about intangibles, competitiveness, intelligence... You can’t question those things AT ALL! That’s how I’d lead the book. The intangible makeup. You have to know exactly what you’re getting.”

If Ireland thinks the Dolphins have the staff in place to get the most out of Young, then it makes sense to pursue him. But this is the same outfit that hasn't gotten anywhere with Henne in two seasons. Plus, if history is any indication, Young won't respond well if Henne wins the starting gig, and that will mean more distractions for a team that has enough of that to go around.

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Posted by Will Brinson



Got a link for the Hot Routes? Hit us up on Twitter (@CBSSportsNFL).

• Mike Kafka told the Philadelphia Inquirer that he's ready to "take that next step" and become the Eagles' official backup. Of course, that presumes that Kevin Kolb is traded. Fortunately, Andy Reid's got his back too. I know that Reid's really good at developing quarterbacks and all, but going from Kolb backing up Vick to Kafka backing up Vick is a significantly different proposition.

• Doesn't really sound like the 49ers are going to end up on "Hard Knocks" either.

• Jason Snelling isn't exactly towing the company line when it comes to discussing DeMaurice Smith, and he sounds pretty worried about the future of the NFL.

• Torry Holt says he hasn't retired yet and is hoping to make a comeback in 2011. Guess it's as good a year as any to be a free agent.

• Is it legal for the younger brother of an NFL offensive coordinator to teach that OC's new quarterback the offense? I mean, it's not, right?

• Clinton Portis said he'd like to play for the Giants. Just to spite the Redskins. How fantastic.

• Scott Fujita of the Browns appeared on PFT Live Wednesday and explained why it's tough to trust the owners.

• Chad Henne knows that he has to cut down on the "boneheaded turnovers" during games. Good call, bro.

• Are the Dolphins the team to watch for Marc Bulger?

• Shortened season might equal expanded rosters. This makes too much sense not to happen.

Posted by Josh Katzowitz

• For those who are still speculating about whether the Eagles will keep QB Kevin Kolb, the Philadelphia Inquirer writes that Kolb is as good as gone when the lockout is lifted.

• … And speaking of places where Kolb might play next season, the Arizona Republic discusses how the Cardinals’ patience while waiting to sign a starting quarterback might just pay off. And maybe not taking a quarterback in the NFL draft was actually the smart plan all along.

• … And speaking of veteran quarterbacks, it seems the Bengals want one as well (to help mentor Andy Dalton, naturally). Of course, the list the Cincinnati Enquirer presents to us is less than impressive with names like Rex Grossman, Jim Sorgi and Charlie Frye.

• From the Miami Herald, here’s the latest on the Dolphins QB situation: “the chances of (Chad) Henne being the regular-season starter for Miami in 2011 are greater than the chances he is replaced.”

• The NFL.com’s Jason La Canfora talked to some league insiders who rated the best performances of last week’s draft. The Buccaneers got high marks for Adrian Clayborn and Da’Quan Bowers, and the Packers got positive press for a number of picks.

• The Ravens believe Joe Flacco is more than ready to take more responsibility for calling plays at the line of scrimmage. “This has to be Joe’s offense,” said GM Ozzie Newsome.

• If you’re the sixth quarterback taken in the NFL draft, that’s usually a bad sign. Right, John David Booty, Charlie Whitehurst and David Greene? Colin Kaepernick should take note.

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Posted by Will Brinson

Lots of teams did lots of things during this past week's draft in order to get a quarterback; most of the "things" were versions of reaching. The biggest moves by some teams, though, was no move at all.

The Miami Dolphins were one of those teams who did nothing, and it seemed odd, because they've done everything short of indicate that Chad Henne isn't capable of running their offense on a regular basis, from benching him for Chad Pennington and Tyler Thigpen, to expressing interest in every single QB available in the draft. And yet ... Jeff Ireland made it seem like the 'Fins weren't "desperate" for a signal caller.

"I think we'll have to look in free agency if we're going to do that," Ireland said, per Andrew Carter of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. "Certainly we'll look at all the quarterbacks in depth. The [draft] board didn't fall right for us to pick up a quarterback.

"I didn't feel like we were desperate for one and so we didn't adjust our board to try to go after one."

So the Dolphins interest in all the quarterbacks on the draft board was just a smokescreen now? And they'll just add a veteran? Come on.

Ireland's right about the draft board to some extent -- Cam Newton, Blaine Gabbert, Jake Locker and Christian Ponder were all gone by 15, and the only player who really seemed to be tied to Miami was Ryan Mallett.

Obviously they weren't that interested in him. (And the rumors that the Pats simply drafted Mallett to block him from going to Miami? Settle down, people -- Miami had plenty of chances to grab Mallett.)

Whatever, it looks like everyone in Miami is about as confused re: the quarterbacking situation with the Dolphins as everyone out of Miami. Although Henne should be pretty pumped, I guess. If things play out like they did after Tony Sparano was publicly embarrassed by his employer shopping elsewhere, then the Michigan QB could be in line for a big raise.

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Posted by Andy Benoit

• The Vikings stadium bill was posted in the Senate on Friday. The Senate was not in session, so the bill cannot be officially introduced until Monday.
  
  
• Many believe that Marion Barber, due $4.25 million in 2011, will not be in a Cowboys uniform at the beginning of the season.
  
  
• For the draft, Colts president Bill Polian will assume that his team's free agents are gone. (This sounds like lockout news, but chances are, Polian always takes this stance when drafting.)
  
  
• With the Orioles off to a hot start and the Ravens not doing anything whatsoever at the moment, now seems to be a fair time to ask if the city of Baltimore is a baseball town or a football town.
  
  
• Chris Dielman is testifying in defense of his buddy Brian Giles, who is the defendant in a domestic violence case.
  
  
• Nevada quarterback Colin Kaepernick is visiting with the Raiders.
  
  
• The Patriots could be looking at Illinois running back Mike Leshoure.
  
  
• Brett Favre is hosting a one-day seven on-on-seven high school football camp in Mississippi to raise money for charity.
  
  
• Drew Rosenhaus doesn’t think the Dolphins can win a playoff game with Chad Henne. (It’s rare to hear the super-agent say something that burns any chance of him snagging another client.)
  
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