But let's not get too far out over our skis. Pennel's good start to his Jets career will continue back in the Rockies for the next five weeks before training camp. He used to travel his first few NFL offseasons, but this year he's focused on daily workouts. And for some fun vacation activity, perhaps some hiking.

Such as up and down the famed Manitou Incline near Colorado Springs. You start at 6,600 feet above sea level, then go up at an average 41% incline for 2,000 feet and 2,744 steps, all constructed of railroad ties.

"I do the Incline two to three times a week," he said. "It gets you altitude training and it gets you right. It's really hard on your lungs. Go up, run down — great workout!"

It's all a part of Pennel's plan. The past is prologue, the future is now.