<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Pennington or other Jets QB to start against SimmsAssociated PressTAMPA, Fla. -- Chad Pennington isn't reading anything into Eric Mangini's reluctance to name a starting quarterback for the New York Jets' preseason opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.Whether he takes the first snap or not, the oft-injured seventh-year pro will take a significant step Friday night when he plays in a game for the first time since undergoing a second major operation on his right shoulder.Pennington is more concerned with how the shoulder holds up when he gets jostled than where he stands on the depth chart this early in training camp."Physically you want to see how your hard work has paid off as far as being able to take hits," said Pennington, whose 2005 season ended abruptly when Jacksonville's Paul Spicer bent his arm back following a pass attempt in Week 3."Really, last year I was able to take hits as well, it's just the one hit I took you don't ever see that. Even with healthy quarterbacks you can't really survive that one. So I think physically I'm just looking forward to getting banged around. You don't invite that, but if it happens, you're looking forward to seeing how your body responds and mentally how you respond to it."Tampa Bay has one of the league's top defenses, so this figures to be a nice test, even if Derrick Brooks and Co. don't play long.Patrick Ramsey, Kellen Clemens and Brooks Bollinger also are competing to be the Jets starter, although Mangini -- the first-year coach who replaced Herman Edwards -- has shed little light on how the race is shaping up in his mind.Mangini said consistency ultimately will determine who wins the job. He cautioned not to make too much of who starts against the Bucs."What that's going to be is just an extension of where we are in terms of the competition," Mangini said. "The larger playing chances over the course of the preseason will be given to the players that distinguish themselves. ... It's a great opportunity for all of them."There's no such debate over who will lead the Bucs this season.Chris Simms took over for injured Brian Griese in the sixth game last season and helped Tampa Bay overtake Carolina to win the NFC South and make the playoffs for the first time in three years.Simms will start against the Jets, but may not play much more than a series. With Jay Fiedler still on the physically unable to perform list, the remainder of playing time will be split among Tim Rattay, Bruce Gradkowski and Jared Allen."We never overly prepare for a preseason game," Bucs coach Jon Gruden said, adding that he nevertheless is eager to see how the offense performs against New York's 3-4 defense, which presents a different look than the offense is accustomed to facing in practice."But we're going to continue to do what we do," Gruden added. "That's why we're in camp."Improving the offensive line was a point of emphasis for Tampa Bay during the offseason.With right tackle Kenyatta Walker slowed by a knee injury, second-round draft pick Jeremy Trueblood likely will start against the Jets. First-round pick Davin Joseph will see action at right guard, although Gruden is not sure how much."We really don't have a concrete playing order because situations sometimes determine what you do," Gruden said."I don't want to get anybody's hopes up. I don't want anybody going into the game thinking they're playing 10 plays or two plays and counting their plays as they go."Pennington, 10 months removed from having surgery on his right rotator cuff for the second time in two seasons, is just looking forward to being back on the field under game conditions.The Jets have been very careful with his rehab, and it's time to cut loose."Some people are surprised that I've lasted this long, been able to compete in every practice and not have any setbacks," Pennington said."I'm not surprised but I'm happy about it. But to me, the bottom line is always going to be about performance. When you step out on the field do you perform? No matter what your ailments are and what you've been through in the past."Copyright 2006 by Associated Press</div>http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2545872
