In a move that's not shocking, but does come as a surprise, Chad Pennington will start against the Titans on Sunday. His first since going down with a shoulder injury, in week 3 last season against the Chargers. Since that game, Chad Henne has been entrenched as the starter. So much so that before the start of the season, coach Tony Sparano announced that Henne would be the starting quarterback, and made it sound non negotiable at that time. You couldn't really blame Sparano for this seeing as Pennington, would be 34 years old, and coming off a 3rd surgery to his throwing shoulder. Henne would go 11-10 as the starter, flashing signs of what talent he possesses, but hasn't really separated himself as the best quarterback on this team yet. Most fans' complaint would be; "Henne can throw the deep pass, Pennington doesn't have the arm. How are we gonna get the ball down field to Brandon Marshall?". Yes, Henne has a stronger arm, but how many times has he thrown down field this year? Bueller? Bueller? I don't remember many. In fact the only one I remember is the opening play against the Vikings.
In my last post, I mentioned that is was time to take the training wheels off of the offense. But the more I pay attention, it seems like they were trying to open it up. Hence, the run to pass ratio in the play calling. Henne appears to have plenty of time to make a throw, you can't tell me an NFL wide receiver can't make a play on the ball with that much time to work the defensive back. Maybe Henne is not pulling the trigger. See, some people think that what makes a good quarterback is a stronger arm. That's part of it, but most of it is timing, and trusting your accuracy. I also stated in my last post that this team does not have the personnel to stretch the field for 50 yard bombs. Brandon Marshall's big play from him catching 10 to 20 yards post patterns, in and out routes, and making a run after the catch. These kinds of throws are Pennington's specialty. Henne seems apprehensive to throw anything that is not obviously open, where Pennington will trust his accuracy, and is accurate enough to make throws that appear to be covered. That coupled with Brandon Marshall's ability to muscle catches away from a defensive back, could have big play potential. Henne never did show consistency with the short and medium range throws. So a big arm doesn't guarantee big plays.
I don't think that this is the end for Henne, maybe he needs some motivation, he hasn't been challenged as the starter, at least not publicly, since he's been awarded the job. Given the lack of a real deep threat, and Henne's reluctance to throw the ball deep and let his receiver make a play, this offense may be better suited for Pennington's type of game. The one good thing about this situation is that they are very close friends off the field, and seem to be willing to do whatever it takes to help the team. So we shouldn't have any disgruntled employees in the locker room. If there ever was a perfect example of how to be a pro it's Chad Pennington, and luckily Henne seems to be an enthusiastic student. In that sense, this could be a risky, but very rewarding move.
I actually think that Pennington can lead this team to wins, and that's where we come to the biggest difference between our quarterbacks. Leadership. Play close attention to the difference in the way the offense operates and responds to Pennington. He comes in a seasoned field general, a trait that Henne has yet to pick up in the NFL. Watch how he commands respect in the huddle, not to say they don't respect Henne, but there is a huge difference with Pennington on the field. Something else Henne could learn from the 11 year veteran. Hopefully, the student pays attention to the master.
UPDATE:
This is not an update of the news variety, but rather a response to a growing sentiment that this shows a lack of vision for the future of the Miami Dolphins. So which is it, do you want to win now? Or next year. You can't have it both ways. Also, this notion that they've given up on Henne is the biggest load of crap I've ever heard. If he can't handle being sat for a game, than he doesn't have skin thick enough to be a starter in the NFL. Another thing at play here is that, Tony Sparano and Jeff Ireland may be fearing for their jobs if they don't make the playoffs this year.
This move was necessary. For all of Henne's physical gifts, we have the least amount of touchdowns in the league this season. Ask yourself honestly, has Henne done anything to definitively earn the starting job? If you think so, post your reasons why in the comments below, I would love to hear what fantasy world you've been living in. Look, I do like Chad Henne, I think he can still be our QB, but Miami needs a spark this season. I support Henne as our QB, but I also support this decision to win now. This is the right move, at the right time.
In my last post, I mentioned that is was time to take the training wheels off of the offense. But the more I pay attention, it seems like they were trying to open it up. Hence, the run to pass ratio in the play calling. Henne appears to have plenty of time to make a throw, you can't tell me an NFL wide receiver can't make a play on the ball with that much time to work the defensive back. Maybe Henne is not pulling the trigger. See, some people think that what makes a good quarterback is a stronger arm. That's part of it, but most of it is timing, and trusting your accuracy. I also stated in my last post that this team does not have the personnel to stretch the field for 50 yard bombs. Brandon Marshall's big play from him catching 10 to 20 yards post patterns, in and out routes, and making a run after the catch. These kinds of throws are Pennington's specialty. Henne seems apprehensive to throw anything that is not obviously open, where Pennington will trust his accuracy, and is accurate enough to make throws that appear to be covered. That coupled with Brandon Marshall's ability to muscle catches away from a defensive back, could have big play potential. Henne never did show consistency with the short and medium range throws. So a big arm doesn't guarantee big plays.
I don't think that this is the end for Henne, maybe he needs some motivation, he hasn't been challenged as the starter, at least not publicly, since he's been awarded the job. Given the lack of a real deep threat, and Henne's reluctance to throw the ball deep and let his receiver make a play, this offense may be better suited for Pennington's type of game. The one good thing about this situation is that they are very close friends off the field, and seem to be willing to do whatever it takes to help the team. So we shouldn't have any disgruntled employees in the locker room. If there ever was a perfect example of how to be a pro it's Chad Pennington, and luckily Henne seems to be an enthusiastic student. In that sense, this could be a risky, but very rewarding move.
I actually think that Pennington can lead this team to wins, and that's where we come to the biggest difference between our quarterbacks. Leadership. Play close attention to the difference in the way the offense operates and responds to Pennington. He comes in a seasoned field general, a trait that Henne has yet to pick up in the NFL. Watch how he commands respect in the huddle, not to say they don't respect Henne, but there is a huge difference with Pennington on the field. Something else Henne could learn from the 11 year veteran. Hopefully, the student pays attention to the master.
UPDATE:
This is not an update of the news variety, but rather a response to a growing sentiment that this shows a lack of vision for the future of the Miami Dolphins. So which is it, do you want to win now? Or next year. You can't have it both ways. Also, this notion that they've given up on Henne is the biggest load of crap I've ever heard. If he can't handle being sat for a game, than he doesn't have skin thick enough to be a starter in the NFL. Another thing at play here is that, Tony Sparano and Jeff Ireland may be fearing for their jobs if they don't make the playoffs this year.
This move was necessary. For all of Henne's physical gifts, we have the least amount of touchdowns in the league this season. Ask yourself honestly, has Henne done anything to definitively earn the starting job? If you think so, post your reasons why in the comments below, I would love to hear what fantasy world you've been living in. Look, I do like Chad Henne, I think he can still be our QB, but Miami needs a spark this season. I support Henne as our QB, but I also support this decision to win now. This is the right move, at the right time.
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