One day he's renegotiating a new deal to stay in New York, the next day he's on his way out of the only place he's ever played. And yet another day, a couple of his teammates are quoted as saying they think he should be released because he's too injury-prone. These surely are not the best of times for Chad Pennington, who within the next week will either be re-signed to a new salary-reduced contract to allow him to remain with the Jets or he'll be released, thus becoming a free agent in a world where it'll be difficult to find a better chance to regain a starting job than with the Jets. It's difficult to believe it has come to this for the Jets' quarterback who just a couple of years ago was the darling of New York sports, but such is the cold, harsh reality of professional sports, particularly those in New York. However, let's not count Pennington, who's rehabbing after a second rotator cuff surgery in his right shoulder in as many years and probably will not be able to throw in anger until training camp in July, completely out of New York just yet. Contrary to one recent report that all but has Pennington released, it would be naive to think his career as a Jet is over after only an initial round of renegotiation talks between his agent and the Jets, which took place last week. The actual moment of truth for Pennington, who is due a $3 million roster bonus on March 3 and is scheduled to count $9 million against the 2006 salary cap, will take place this week in Indianapolis, where the NFL's annual Scouting Combine takes place. Indianapolis is where all of the team executives and coaching staffs converge along with most the agents and the litany of college players who work out and interview with prospective teams. This is where Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum will sit down face-to-face with Tom Condon, Pennington's agent, and get serious. It's not surprising that Condon would turn down the Jets' initial request for Pennington to play for a $1 million base in 2006 and then have the chance to earn the other $8 million in incentives.