Who deserves thanks for Dolphins' success? Try the Jets

They closed their eyes, crossed their fingers and hoped they could squeeze one, maybe two, more good seasons out of Favre. That's OK, except to take him in they forced Pennington out -- and the wisdom of that decision was played out in front of their fans as well as millions tuning into a national telecast.

Let me put it like this: Stupid, stupid, stupid.

"It's so bittersweet for him," said Miami defensive tackle Jason Ferguson who, like Pennington, is a former Jet. "I've been away from it for four or five years, but I didn't get kicked out like he did. Or booed out."

In truth, Pennington got thrown out because the Jets didn't want him to be their starting quarterback. In competition with Kellen Clemens, Pennington spent most of his training camp with the Jets detailing how he would win the job. Only he never had the chance because the Jets didn't give him the chance.

They gave it to Favre.

So Pennington returned and did for Miami what he said he could do for the Jets. The Dolphins believed. The Jets did not. Merry Christmas, Miami.

"Chad beat the hell out of the Jets," Crowder said. "The team that let him go and brought in someone else. He would never say it, but that's how he feels.

"He was coming out yelling at the defense the entire game. He wanted to beat these guys. It was a division game. It was for the playoffs. And it was a team that released him to bring in somebody else.

"His contract wasn't up or nothing. It was just (the Jets) saying, 'We think somebody is better than you.' And now Chad came back and beat the hell out of them and all of the people who were booing him at home. Chad's not going to say it, but he can tell them to kiss his ass."

Of course, Pennington is not going to say it. The guy is classy, dignified and contrite. After leading the Jets to a division title that nobody outside the Miami locker room envisioned before the season, he applauded the Jets for his eight years here and for their decision to make him a free agent.

But look who wanted the ball on fourth-and-1 with just over two minutes left. It was Pennington, looking to close out the Jets with a rare quarterback sneak. And he did it.

"I wanted that," he said.

He wanted everything -- and got it with smart, safe decisions. There was a third-down pass late in the third quarter that was vintage Pennington, with the Miami quarterback spinning out of a near sack, rolling to his left and throwing a completion, good for a first down, to tight end Anthony Fasano.

It was the kind of pass Favre used to make but rarely makes anymore. It was the kind of pass that Pennington has built a career on.

"Chad is a critical part of a turnaround in our organization," said Miami coach Tony Sparano. "Chad is a piece of this thing, and I think he likes it like that, but he's a tremendously big part of it. To have someone with his kind of stripes and leadership is just what the doctor ordered."

With Pennington in charge, the Dolphins rarely made mistakes this season. In fact, they led the league in fewest turnovers. OK, so he lost a fumble Sunday -- it was his first this season. Plus, he threw 15 fewer interceptions than Favre.

That sure-handed play enabled Miami to extend drives and win close games -- and it won a lot of them. Seven of their 11 victories were by seven or fewer points, with four by no more than five -- and, no, that doesn't happen without Pennington.

"Chad's been very important to us," said wide receiver Ted Ginn Jr. "He made our season. He's an older guy who came in and brought another dimension to the team. That's why we need him. We're all young and fresh. For him to come in and take hold and do the things that he did during the year to make us into who we are now, it's a blessing."

And it's a blessing made possible because of the New York Jets, the team that made one last concession to Miami when it dropped its last game.

"It's not a revenge factor," said Pennington. "It's really not. This week was so much different than the first week. The first week was extremely emotional because the situation was so fresh. But this week, being the 17th week of the season, it was a different week.

"It was strictly focused on winning a championship, and knowing we controlled our own destiny to be AFC East champions. It just so happened it had to come through New York, and that's how sports are. That's the only way fate would have it."

No, it's the only way the Jets would have it. Miami should be -- and is -- grateful.