Posted by ESPN.com's Tim Graham
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| | AP Photo/Kathy Willens |
| | Laveranues Coles has been a model teammate since Brett Favre joined the Jets and Chad Pennington was released. |
DAVIE, Fla. -- New York Jets receiver Laveranues Coles still hasn't spoken publicly about the team's decision to cut his close friend, Chad Pennington. The Jets had to dump Pennington to clear the way for Brett Favre's arrival two weeks ago.
Coles' refusal to talk has been one of the more fascinating Favre-related storylines of Jets camp. Coles has been criticized for pouting, for petulance, for being selfish because his pal was unfairly treated. Some wondered if he would reject Favre.
In Wednesday's New York Post, beat writer Mark Cannizzaro called Coles' decision not to speak to reporters "an unfortunate adolescent act of sulking over his hurt feelings."
Coles' old partner doesn't see it that way.
Pennington, who quickly found work with the Miami Dolphins, claimed Coles' actions are being misread.
"Laveranues Coles' best trait is loyalty," Pennington told ESPN.com. "He's an extremely loyal guy. That's what has made him great in the league, and it's taken him a long way in life.
"I don't fault him for that and I respect him for that. But once the games start and the whistle blows, he'll play hard for the Jets. I don't think anybody can ever question that."
Pennington was asked if he expected Coles to take his departure so hard.
"There's a special bond there," Pennington replied. "We came into the league together, and we've been great friends for a long time.
"But Laveranues also has that edge about him. [Coles' silent treatment] is not something that I would make too big a deal of."
The Jets drafted Pennington in the first round and Coles in the third round eight years ago. They hit it off immediately. Even though Coles had a productive stint with the Washington Redskins in 2003 and '04, his best numbers came when Pennington was throwing to him.
Of Pennington's 82 career touchdown passes, Coles has caught 18 of them, more than anybody else.
The Jets don't seem concerned with Coles' reticence.
By all accounts, Coles has been a model teammate since Favre joined the team and Pennington was released.
"He's not avoiding me right now, so that's good," Jets coach Eric Mangini said with a smile Tuesday. "We talk all the time. He has been great, great in meetings, great in everything we've asked him to do. He's been perfect."
Favre said he has been speaking with Coles, too.
Favre understands the splendor of chemistry. As Coles had a connection with Pennington, Favre had one with Donald Driver in Green Bay. Favre, in fact, sees similarities between the two receivers.
"He's a lot like [Donald] Driver," Favre said. "I mean that with the highest confidence.
"I've seen a lot of guys come and go that had tremendous speed, who could jump high, who could bench press more than anyone in the locker room. But could they play football? When it's all said and done, that's the most important thing: Can you play?"
While Coles has been hobbled by a leg injury that sidelined him the first two preseason games, Favre has been hooking up often with Jerricho Cotchery in practice. But that doesn't mean Coles can't be Favre's go-to guy like Driver was.
"I can't wait to get [Coles] back," Favre said. "I'm sure Eric doesn't want to put him on the field until he's 100 percent. It makes no sense.
"But having him out there, talking through things, having his experience can't do anything but help us."
