There weren't a lot of positives in the Dolphins 31-10 loss to the Cardinals last Sunday, but fans got a glimpse of the future. With 9:38 to go in the fourth quarter, rookie second-round pick Chad Henne took the first regular-season snap of his NFL career, and all things considered, he did fine, completing 7 of 12 passes for 67 yards.
Henne replaced newly acquired Chad Pennington, who went 10 of 20 for 112 yards before head coach Tony Sparano took mercy on his soul midway through the final quarter.
But don't mistake the move as an indication that the Pennington era is over after two weeks. Just the opposite, in fact:
Sparano unequivocally stated Henne had no chance of starting against the Patriots after Sunday's defeat, and reiterated that in his news conference Monday.Can't be much clearer than that, I think. Presumably, this also includes the Dolphins' long-term plans for last year's second-rounder, John Beck. Which is to say: he's not in them (Thanks, Cam, Randy).
Sparano said Pennington is not the reason the Dolphins' offense has been anemic, and indicated the team is not going to make a knee-jerk reaction despite starting the season with two losses. The Dolphins are sticking to their plan to bring along Henne as their quarterback of the future, rather than accelerating his development
As for the present, one of the many benefits of coming off a 1-15 campaign, is that there really is no occasion "to make a knee-jerk reaction. " It's seldom the case a team goes from the worst in the league to Super Bowl contender in 12 months. Two things the Dolphins have going for them: youth and time to get it right. So let's hear it for rebuilding.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
9-17-2008 @ 6:35PM
bartevers said...
I think it is the smart move to keep C.P. as starter untill its time for C.H. to take the reinges of this team.
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9-18-2008 @ 2:22PM
JayMonster said...
I don't get it. Let Chad be a mentor from the sidelines. If you are going to accept this as a year of "growing pains" then let Henne get the reps in. You are not going ANYWHERE with Pennington (as Jets fans already know), so why keep Henne sidelined, what does he gain from that?
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10-20-2008 @ 6:11PM
baklival said...
Ha! I love it when people knock pennington, it shows just how little they understand football. Pennington's only downfall ever is 2 fold...if u call it that. 1 is injury prone in past but i feel he has worked past that. The second is (according to everyone) that he doesnt have a strong arm. Hmm reminds me of a certain montana ??? anyway i would take chad as top 5 quarterbacks in the league. I was (and still am ) a jets fan but boo NY for blaming a quartback for their downfalls, lol i live in texas and most people cant name 3 other players on the last 2 years of that team so what do u expect form someone working with noone. (no offence coles u the man) i called it 2 years ago...to the postseason then out 1st round....im callin playoffs again this year ..laugh now all you want..we shall see
10-07-2008 @ 5:15PM
JayMonster said...
1. He is injury prone
2. Defenses don't need to worry about him throwing down field.
3. Bad Decisions.
Besides throwing short routes there is NO comparison between Pennington and Montana, that is just plain silly. You come to defend him after two Dolphin winds but it was Ronnie Brown (both running AND with his arm) that carried those games, not noodles arm Pennington.
I will grant you, I thought he would have been out for the season already, but to say he has "worked through" his injury issues, that remains to be seen.
In the mean time, I still say if the Dophins expect this to be a "transition year" then the transition should be to get Henne reps, much as the Giants did in Mannings first season, the payoff will not be seen this season, but Henne will be better prepped for the future.
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