Following the news that Chad Pennington is out for the season with a re-injury of his rotator cuff (see previous post), and that Jay Fiedler suffered a shoulder separation (rehab time unknown, but he could be out for the season also), the Jets have a major challenge at the quarterback position. They have one remaining quarterback - Brooks Bollinger, a sixth-round draft pick, who spent most of his limited pre-season playing time running for his life behind the backup offensive line, comprising mostly players no longer on the Jets' roster. He is therefore an unknown quantity.
The Jets therefore need 2 quarterbacks - quickly. One of the QBs needs to be a starting-calibre QB.
So far, all that the Jets have done is call in Doug Johnson, Jonathan Quinn and Jesse Palmer for a tryout today. None of those players is a starting-calibre QB (although Doug Johnson has played for offensive co-ordinator Mike Heimerdinger in a previous life).
The Jets tried to sign Matt Mauck off the Titans' practice squad late yesterday, but the Titans nixed that move by transferring Mauck to the active roster.
There are very few starting-quality QBs available. So far the Jets have not even contacted Vinny Testaverde, who has indicated that he would love to come back and play again. Tim Couch is available, but his fitness is still in question following multiple arm and shoulder surgeries. After what happened to Pennington, the Jets could be forgiven for being wary of any QB coming off of surgery on his throwing arm.
There are a couple of other former starters sitting waiting for a phone call - Shawn King, Jeff George. King has been inconsistent in the past, and most recently got the quick hook in Arizona when he did start. Jeff George is, well, Jeff George - with all of the sublime and ridiculous that entails.
Trading for a QB is an option. The Redskins might be willing to part with Patrick Ramsey, who appears to be in the doghouse in Washington right now. Billy Volek is a possibility, but expect the Titans to hold onto him as insurance in case Steve McNair is lost for the season - McNair is no longer bulletproof as he gets older.
It is beginning to look as though Pennington has a warrior's mindset but a fragile body. He has never had tremendous arm strength, relying instead on accuracy and timing. He has always thrown what coaches call a "very catchable ball". However, 2 rotator cuff injuries in 2 years would give any athlete an uphill struggle to be 100% fit again.
The Jets may have to adapt to life after Chad Pennington, not out of choice but out of necessity. In the meantime, they need to sign a starting-calibre QB quickly, if for no other reason than to bolster roster and fan morale. The current tryouts cannot be the answer for recruiting a starting QB.

Link: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2005/football/nfl/09/26/bc.fbn.jets.pennington.ap/index.html

...and will miss the rest of the season, according to rumours breaking around now in NFL-land.
Now the Jets officially have a challenge at the quarterback position for the rest of the season.
As for Pennington, I am semi-convinced that he was rushed back before he was really ready. I worry that he may never make it back from this injury. Rotator cuff injuries are difficult to repair, surgery is really a last resort in place of rehab, and you have to take rehab very carefully to avoid setbacks. The only good news is that Pennington will have 10 months to recover fully, instead of the 6 months for the recovery from last season's injury.

In no particular sequence.

1 Chargers vs. Giants - what a game. This had everything that makes for great NFL football - changes of momentum, lots of scores, lots of great plays. At the end the Chargers ran up the score (and could have gone higher but for some call-backs due to penalties). The Giants, continuing their performance in the second half last week against the Saints, kept committing penalties at inpportune moments, which helped the Chargers no end.

2. 49'ers vs. Cowboys - the Cowboys dodged a bullet here. Down right until the last gasp, they somehow pulled the game out of the hat with 2 big deep passing plays, both to Terry Glenn. Drew Bledsoe may be an approximation to a statue in the pocket, but he is prepared to hang in there and fire a long ball if he sees a chance to stretch the field. High-risk stuff, but spectacular to watch.

3. Jets vs. Jaguars - sorry, but Chad Pennington is currently pretending to be an NFL quarterback. After being injured again in this game, he came back on the field, but quite clearly could not throw properly - his passes floated lazily through the air, lacking both velocity and length. The guy is clearly hobbled and hurting. It is possible that the Jets and Pennington moved too far too fast following his rotator cuff surgery. This may be one situation where the Jets will need to protect Chad from himself. They may need to sit him down for a period to let his arm or shoulder heal properly. If they do not do this, a repeat of the Tim Couch saga is staring both Pennington and the Jets in the face.
If MRIs this week give the Jets bad news, they will need at least 1, possibly 2 more quarterbacks - quickly. Brooks Bollinger is untested, so they'll have to go out on the free agent market. There are some obvious candidates, but all have issues. Vinny Testaverde is available, but has not played since the end of last year, and does not know the current offensive system. Quincy Carter is available, but there is a question mark over his current medical status. Rohan Davey, cut by the Patriots right at the end of pre-season, has a big arm and leadership intangibles.
The most intriguing possibility is...Tim Couch, who has only just recovered from his own arm and shoulder surgeries, but who has apparently been throwing well in private workouts.

3. Seahawks vs. Cardinals
It looks like another traumatic year for Kurt Warner...his offensive line clearly has major problems. He was chased all over the field on Sunday, and finally left with a groin injury while..chasing around the field. Since his replacement, Josh McCown, could not move the Cardinals at all, the team has to hope that Kurt can make it back quickly, and that they can shore up the offensive line real quick, or Kurt may not make it through the season. All it takes is one big concussion, and he could be gone for the year.

4. Kicker Short Leash Competition
#1 - following his miss on Sunday, Doug Brien, fired by the Jets last year after missing in the playoffs, is on a very short leash at Chicago. Expect him to be given the order of the size 10 in short order if his kicking does not improve.
#2 - Jose Cortez of the Cowboys cannot be too high in Bill Parcells' estimation right now. He missed a short field goal on Sunday, and has never looked like a good long-range kicker. Watch for the Cowboys to audition kickers soon, or possibly bring back Billy Cundiff after week 6 if Cortez still looks shaky. They cannot bring Cundiff in until then because the Cowboys had to pay him an injury settlement when they cut him in pre-season because he had an injured hip flexor.

Sometimes The Onion is so good...here is an extract from one of their new articles:

PHILADELPHIA—Eagles wideout Terrell Owens, who recently returned to his team after a training-camp holdout on the second year of his seven-year, $49 million contract, took time Monday to verbally blast the amount, duration, and bonuses of whatever contract he signs next.

"It's going to be a damn travesty," said the 31-year-old All-Pro, speaking to reporters months or even years before the hypothetical contract is drawn up. "A travesty. I'm one of the best receivers in this league — Hell, after the incredible, record-breaking season I'm sure I'll have had when I sign this next contract, I might be the best ever. But I wouldn't go so far as to call this next contract the best ever. It's going to be an insult on the part of whichever team I eventually sign with, and they'll know it. I demand they give me what I really deserve."

"I know I'm a top player in this game," Owens added. "But my next contract simply won't reflect that."

In case you ever wondered what Formula 1 drivers/teams/managers are really saying in all of those interviews and press conferences, here is a translation guide, courtesy of a number of F1 fans posting to the Autosport Forum. Additional insight at F1-Speak

"Honestly,..."
What I am about to say is absolutely false.

"Obviously,...."
There was one thing I didn't think of....

"I'm 99% certain that I'll be driving for x next season"
It's 50-50

"I'm 95% certain that I'll be driving for x next season"
It's a real longshot

"We'd like to thank Driver X for his services this season"
He's a frigging tosser and we can't wait to get rid of him

"Driver X has a valid and binding contract with us, and we expect him to honour the contract"
We're frantically working the phones to see how much money somebody will pay us to take the obnoxious little s**t off our hands.

"We have a policy of supporting and developing young drivers through the junior formulae"
Anyone got Dan Wheldon's phone number?

"I believe I have a better chance of winning the title with BAR than with Williams."
I'd like to win a race, really .....

"We get along great as teammates"
I'm kicking his ass

"We are having some issues and we're not sharing data and I think it's an unhealthy environment within the team"
He's kicking my ass

"We had setup issues and I was never able to get the maximum out of the car"
I really messed up all weekend

"Team X is happy to announce that Brand Y is our title sponsor for 2006"
As long as the checks clear I couldn't care less what's on the car

"The team is confident that driver X will turn it around soon"
As soon as we get another driver lined up, driver X is out of the car

"This is my year"
If I was the only one racing this year, i'd win the championship

"We seem to be having some issues with our tires this weekend"
If they made condoms, I'd become celibate.

"We're a little down on horsepower, but manufacturer X is working hard on a new upgrade"
I'm worried about getting rear-ended by the medical car at the start of the race.

"In recent tests we have been focusing on the reliability of our car"
Nothing new we tested has worked, and no progress has been made.

"In our calculations the new radical aero of Team A would not work with our car design"
What the hell are they thinking?

"We changed back to the traditional looking aero package because with the new chassis version we have taken another design approach"
What the hell were we thinking?

"Our car lacks downforce at the moment but we're optimistic about finding a solution"
Our head designer/aerodynamicist has screwed up, and is about to be fired.

"We are quite confident that the new car/aero/engine package will work"
We haven't got a bloody clue if it will work and everybody in the team has their fingers crossed.

"We have not found optimal grip today for the track"
It's the goddamn tyres, blame them!

"We have not found a perfect setup today, but we hope to find it for qualifying"
My teammate is half a second faster than me with the same setup, let's hope he screws up in qualifying.

"We drove a lot of laps"
We remain confused.

"Our new engine version is 50hp more powerful and is more reliable than the old version"
No difference

"Driver X has been seen completely drunk and half-naked in public"
Driver X has taken a beer in public.

"I will not give up on the championship until it is mathematically out of reach"
The fight for it was already over couple races ago.

"Our long-term plan is to win championships"
We're going to be in the midfield for the next ten years.

"I am driving for the team"
I'm #2

"There is no number 2 in the team, our driver policy is 1A and 1B"
I'm #2

"We're having some handling difficulties"
Every time I drive at racing speed the car scares me witless

"This is not about money."
...though, incidentally, they will be paying me more.

"I don't care who my teammate is."
...as long as he doesn't beat me.

"I wasn't worried about reliability."
It's a bloody miracle the thing held together 'til the chequered flag.

"Of course I'm a bit disappointed but this is motor racing."
Right, that's seven mechanical DNFs this season. I'm changing teams.

"We should be stronger in the race."
Well, I should bloody well hope so. A Minardi just outqualified me.

"It's looking good for me at the moment but anything can happen."
I have a 59-point lead in the WDC with 6 races to go and my car hasn't had a mechanical failure since 1998.

"I don't know where I'll be next year."
My manager told me not to speak about this but damn I look good in red/pink/blue etc.

"I'm exploring my options for next year."
Call me. Someone. Anyone. Please. Pretty pretty please.

"It was a racing incident."
Looks like it might've been my fault actually.

"I think he was a little ambitious, trying to overtake there"
Jesus, where did he come from?

"I was a little slower out of the pitlane than I expected"
Ooops, the fuel rig’s still attached

"The atmosphere within the team is very positive"
I’m going up to visit Team X, even their food is better

"We’re going to have a quiet sit down to establish where we need to improve"
Screw you guys. You talk, I’m getting drunk

"We’re in the top 5% at the end-of-straight Speed Traps"
If only the damn thing would go ‘round the corners!

"I left him plenty of room…"
Never saw him

"This is my third season in F1"
And if I don’t get a decent race in soon, I’m gonna be a Minardi driver for life

"I think Monaco is a race that we all really enjoy"
Oooh, topless women on the yachts!

"He’s a great driver"
Haha, slower than me!

"He’s not a bad driver"
Dammit, how did he do that?

"We have an equal number one policy"
Our number two is blowing our chosen number 1 into the weeds

"Grand Prix racing is still a sport"
We've got a new sponsor who has no previous experience of motor racing

"He's got great talent"
Just look at the sponsorship he's bringing! And we can't afford Ralf, Jacques, David, Alex, Baumgartner, or whoever"

"I'm not criticising them."
I am criticising them.

"I'm not saying they didn't deserve it"
They didn't deserve it.

"We are in contact with other teams"
I once said hello to Peter Sauber in the pitlane.

"I was struggling with oversteer on entry and understeer on exit".
Why am I driving this pile of shit?

"If people start disregarding their contracts, that's bad".
Ha ha we’ve got him by the short and curlies. Now let's just tighten the screw a bit more.

"I couldn’t have got any more out of the car".
What do you expect when I’m driving this heap, flaming miracles?

"We were struggling for grip".
I just couldn’t be bothered today, maybe I’ll try harder tomorrow.

"I knew he was catching me towards the end, but I had everything under control".
Phew I’m glad he didn’t catch me, I’d have been toast.

"We have a good race stategy".
I messed up my qualifying lap.

"This is not a criticism of Toyota in any way".
This is a criticism of Toyota.

"... we have to be careful in Formula One that we don't end up with the team that spends the most money being the team that wins everything."
Now that the team isn't us.

"Then it is just a spending contest and not an engineering and driver contest."
They'll buy the engineers and drivers we bought from other teams

"I wish them every success".
I don't, really.

"But I think he will look at all his options and make that decision when he has to make it."
We're trying to get him cheap, but he wants big money.

"Unfortunately, we had some problems with Rubens’ car"
We'll eventually get around to looking at it if we have time. First we have to study Michael's data, have dinner, look for some local talent, and spend some time at the "relaxation" clubs.

Steve Gregory and Jeff Masters have continuously updated blogs on weatherunderground.com right now discussing the development, progress and likely track of Rita.
One thing to bear in mind is that the "official" published track predictions for Rita from the NOAA web site are actually a consensus of around 12-15 different storm track predictions from various academic and scientific computer models. Some of the models are actually predicting that Rita will move inland, then stall and either remain in one location or drift Southwest again. If either of those two latter scenarios comes to pass, then parts of South and East Texas could suffer catastrophic flooding as 15-20 inches of rain drops from a weakening Rita.

Link: http://www.weatherunderground.com/blog/JeffMasters/show.html

This shows the possiblly affected areas of South Texas if Rita generates a Category 5 storm surge coinciding with its landfall.

Link: http://www.usatoday.com/money/biztravel/2005-05-04-airline-troubles_x.htm?csp=34

This article from earlier this year in USA Today does a reasonable job of explaining how most of the major US airlines have managed to stay in business, despite many of them having been in Chapter 11 at least once in the last few years (and in some cases, more than once).
The article shows that, while the barriers to entry into the airline business are formidable, the barriers to exit are even more daunting...any airline that tries to liquidate itself is facing an almost impossible task, which may help to explain why several unprofitable US airlines continue to hang around.

....is available here. This is updated throughout the day. It shows predicted tracks from a variety of computerized atmospheric and weather prediction models.

Link: http://www.nfl.com/news/story/8869519

...has a couple of different (but complementary) explanations of how the Cowboys managed to allow the Redskins to score 2 touchdowns in the final 6 minutes of regulation to convert a 13-0 Dallas lead to a 14-13 Redskins victory (note to Daniel Snyder - a middle-aged billionaire jumping up and down in a luxury box looks like an idiot, no matter how expensive his clothes may be).
One of the more interesting happenings after the Redskins second score was the appearance of Jerry Jones in the Dallas bench area, and, boy, did he look ticked...I don't think that defeat sat well with him at all. From watching the replays, it looked like the Cowboys were caught on man coverage, with the corners expecting the safeties to cover the Redksins guys running deep routes, and vice versa.
I watched some of the Giants - Saints game, and, although the Giants seemed to always have the Saints covered, I was amazed at how hard the Giants tried to let the Saints back into the game in the second half, by giving away penalties like they were early Christmas presents. Tom Coughlin looked mighty ticked off as his team essentially kept a Saints drive alive all the way up to the red zone by getting penalized for all sorts of silly stuff ranging from false starts up to unsportsmanlike conduct. A better team would have run up at least a touchdown against that level of ineptitude.