Chad Pennington has looked very sharp in minicamp. His impressive play has been a byproduct of both an entire off-season to work on his body and his familiarity with the Jets’ offensive system.

“He had a really good off-season not just in terms of what he’s done here at OTAs but the work he’s done in the weightroom and on his body and being able to really focus on that,” head coach Eric Mangini said today. “On the field you can see him drawing on the experiences of last year, him taking things and advancing the system — not just from his position but collectively.

“He is such a smart guy with a great memory that you tell him something once that may have been three weeks ago and when that comes up again, he nails it.”

At this point last year, nobody knew how Pennington would respond to a second shoulder surgery on his throwing arm. But the veteran passer proved his worth and then some, culminating with the AP’s Comeback Player of the Year award after starting 16 games for the first time in his career.

“Last year I was just trying to make sure I could get on the field and call the plays and make as many throws as possible,” he said. “This year I have all confidence in the world. I can make all the different types of throws and the types of ball-placement throws we need to make, and I can work on those. Last year physically it was just a slow process, and now I feel like I am progressing physically and trying to put the mental and physical together.”

He probably wouldn’t tell you this, but Pennington appears completely together right now. Always know for his great feel of the game, he was terrific again this morning. During goal line drills, he continually connected with open targets in the end zone on crossing routes. He has repeatedly found Chris Baker throughout camp, and he and Laveranues Coles hooked up on a big gainer despite tight coverage from David Barrett.

“Throughout all of last year and into this off-season, I feel like each day I have been able to make more progress and tried to become more accurate and understand the type of throws that need to be made in tight spots and being able to anticipate and make those throws,” Pennington said.

Mangini brought in a new QB coach for Pennington in February. Brian Daboll, who once helped his boss with the defensive backs in New England, came to New York following seven seasons with the Patriots. Daboll has experience on both sides of the ball, understanding how to attack and counter.

“Coach Daboll always seems to be one step ahead of you as far as preparation," Pennington said, "maybe having another piece of film for you to look at, maybe having a handout he has typed up that he wants you to take a look at. He is able to always coach those details and preach those details to where you can use him as a resource.”

Daboll’s addition frees up offensive coordinator Brian Schotteheimer to spend more time with other position groups and in planning. Pennington enjoys the blend of ideas with his new teacher.

“[Daboll] is learning the new system and it’s a mix. He's bringing in some of the things he's learned over the years of his coaching and we’re teaching him some of the things we have in our system,” he said.

The early results are good. Pennington, who will turn 31 on June 26, has transformed his body and his offensive mastery continues to evolve.

“His primary focus has been getting his body more flexible, stronger,” Mangini said. “All the things you normally would do typically in an off-season, Chad wasn’t able to do last year because he had to spend so much time on the rehab element.

“And you know the way Chad works — he was working like crazy on that and trying to get bigger and stronger like you normally would do, but whenever you have to split time it’s not quite the same. Now he has been able to completely focus on that and he has done a really outstanding job.”