Henne benched; Pennington starts vs. Titans

Dolphins coach Tony Sparano has announced today that Chad Pennington will start for the Dolphins at quarterback on Sunday against the Tennessee Titans.

Chad Henne has been benched.

"After making long evaluations of all the details involved, what I've decided to do here as we move forward is Chad Pennington is going to be the quarterback," Sparano said. "Took a lot of things into consideration, weighed an awful lot of options out. This is not an indictment at all on Chad Henne. This is not an indictment on his future.

"This player has gotten an awful lot better right now. He's come two-fold from where he was. But this is something I need to do. At this particular time as I look ahead, my decision is Chad Pennington's strengths are a little bit better suited for where we need to be right now."

Sparano said Henne is disappointed. No doubt. Henne found out Tuesday (his day off) when he came into work to study for the Titans game.

And with that the Dolphins go back to 2008 when Pennington was Miami's starter and took the team to the playoffs. Henne goes to the bench, having failed at his opportunity to show he is a consistent quarterback, much less a franchise quarterback.

If you look at this move along with the adding of soon-to-be-36-year-old cornerback Al Harris, it says the Dolphins coaching staff, front office, everyone, seems to be in win-now mode.

Interesting because this move also makes the team's decision not to add Randy Moss last week seem curious. One could understand the idea of not claiming Moss because he might somehow negatively impact Henne's growth.

But Pennington is another story altogether. Pennington is a veteran and a former teammate of Moss at Marshall University. The two are friends and so one excuse reason for not claiming Moss goes out the window.

Of course, that would assume the Dolphins had a plan to make today's quarterback move. They did not.

And that isn't great news, either. They're flying by the seat of their pants now. They're in win-now mode now. Suddenly that building toward something, that going forward always with an eye on the future is just noise.

As for Henne, don't fret on his behalf. Sparano was careful to say Pennington is the quarterback for the Titans' game. He didn't name him the starter for the rest of the season.

Pennington has been known to be injury-prone in recent years. And while he did great work in leading the Dolphins to the 2008 AFC East title, he was also the starter the first three games of 2009 when Miami was 0-3.

So is Henne cooked in Miami? I don't believe so, yet. He will likely get another shot down the road but that is unclear.

But was his first crack out of the gates a success? The answer to that is quite clear.

NO.

How else to describe it when he's benched?

Comments

[CC]

Its about time. For those of you that think this is a bad move, you clearly don't understand the game of football and what is needed out of a QB.

There have been at least TWENTY times this year where Henne had a wide open player on 2nd and 8 for a 5yd gain and he MISSED THE THROW!!!

Big difference between 3rd and 8 and 3rd and 2 kiddies!!!!

[Joe Scmoe]

Martin, well said! Penny can't make up for the rest of the teams deficiencies. We are in perpetual rebuilding mode. If & when Odrick is healthy, the only part of this team that is settled is Dline. Everything else is practically a mess.

Benching a Henne is a TOTAL cover for Henning. The wrong guy is falling on the sword. Predictable offense won't change with a different QB. It is what it is. The only way this team gets better is if there is a change across the board. Ireland, Sparano & Henning.

36 yr old Al Harris, who ain't played a down in over a year, over J. Allen, who at MINIMUM, is a great ST player? Hates me to say it, but, this team is a joke. We are going on more than a decade of futility. We are becoming the Cardinals of the 80's or Bills of 2000's. Take your pick. Either way, it's BAD.

[Big Slap Shot Bob]

Maybe they'll bring back Pat White for another shot at QB... LOL

[ALoco]

ONE BIG REASON TO BENCH HENNE..... AS THE RAVENS PLAYERS SAID (( EASY TO READ )) ENOUGH SAID .

[dr. roberts]

Not completely shocked with the Pennington move. They're trying to light a spark NOW (which is exactly what plenty of you guys have been calling for). It's not meddling from Ross at all---which is the LAST thing you'd want from an owner unless your idea of good ownership is Dan Snyder.

Strictly a coaching decision. And don't read too much into it regarding Henne's future. Young QB's have been benched countless times only to go on and have very productive careers. You guys have any idea how long and how many benchings it took Bradshaw to finally get going?

I am NOT saying Henne will turn into that---not at all---but NONE of us know how he will eventually turn out (even if some of you delusionally think you do)

[raven]

Have we forgotten that "NOODLE ARM" can't make the deep throw like Henne. All this will accomplish that we may actually run the ball more and get positive yards with the play action! Also may I suggest having a "TRUE" 4wr set, not with Fasano but a wr so we can actually run the freaking ball with BOTH backs. I really would much rather have Henne in at Qb. It's the OC that has doomed his progression.Mark my words there will no BOMB plays for Marshall with CP in at QB

[woa]

Flash news... Sparano released, Wade Phillips will replace him.

[jrljr2]

This freakin coaching staff is so over its head that its pathetic. This organization is a joke. Many times in sports coaches say they dont listen to public perception because the coaches know better than the average fan. In the case of the Dolphins, it is obvious that if they listened to the average fan a long tim ago, this team could be 5-3 or even 6-2. Henne sucks, we all knew that Allen sucked, sad truth is Smith sucks, Henning sucks and Sparano sucks. There is no metheod to any of the moves or non moves this FO makes. Allen starts for 7 games and then is cut after the 8th. Does that make any sense at all??? He can also help special teams tha has struggled. Smith will be gone next summer. look at all the drafts and free agents and they have missed on more than half. Dansby is the next bust. If everyone can be honest for a second, please tell me where are all the big plays from him? He is a good player but vastly over paid. Many people saw that also. This team is in a bad state and this staff as a whole is starting to just throw stuff at the wall and hope something sticks. terrible, actually they are becoming a laughing stock up here in N.E. where i live.

[JPAO]

What a joke! Desperate times.....

So, all the fans were pissed because of the dink and dunk passing of Henne. Wait to you see a weak armed QB with 2 shoulder surgeries behind him. Screens R-US!!!!

Henning not Henne!!

Sparano is a fool if he couldn't figure that out. Wonder what the excuse is going to be after the Penny expirament fails???

BTW....how pissed is Will Allen? If he is halfway healed, I would take him over J.Allen or A. Harris any day.

[Hboy]

Should of pick up MikeV, R.Moss. I'm sick and tired of the Phins, passing on good players, and leaving us the bs to watch on Sundays... This is starting to be a joke!!

[miked098]

lets remember that penny was 0 and 3 last year and looked like the rag arm QB he is. if you want to make a change at least find out what thigpen has, you know what penny can do. this team just took a couple year step back un developing a new quarterback, and the worst part is we will be no where in position to draft a top tier QB this year. i have to assume sprano was told no playoffs and your done

[Owl]

A couple QB of the top of my head that have been benched at the beginning of the careers and done OK

T Bradshaw, and Steve Yung, and by the way the guy we are playing next Sunday V Yung.. so chill Henne is our future but we need to win a few NOW....

[PriceMaster]

Henne is 9th in accuracy and 12th in yards. He is 32nd in income.
Pennington gets $2.5mil (Henne gets $600k).
Let Penny earn some of that money.

[Waterboy]

Pennington will rack up first downs all day long with that wonderful pass protection line.

Any QB in the league would kill for the pass protect they have assembled.

The fins offense will orchestrate long grinding drives that will keep our SOFT D rested.

Miami Dolphins Offense will dominate like Secretariat

[Oregon Dolphin fan]

Total desperation and another example of blaming the players. Henne never had a chance with Henning at the helm.
The organization continues to stack up doubious moves.
Dumping Roth and Taylor then having to draft defense. Adding BM yet dumping and not replacing the one speed guy T Ginn. Flailing all year on ST's yet dumping J Allen who leads the team in INT's.
I bet Ross is gripping as hard as anyone.

[ALoco]

THE RUNNING GAME IS BACK SNAKES .

[Marc]

Wow...Penny sucks

This front office is a DISASTER

JEFF IRELAND is a bum

SPARANO is a dud

HEENING is a thief

[1701972]

maybe this is why Marshall guaranteed a playoff run... he knew a QB change was coming

[Waterboy]

Miami Dolphins Offense will dominate like Secretariat

[mcrunner34]

I didn't like Henning last year. He's too afraid to win. I like Sparano but I like Coach "Chucky" more. Passing on Randy Moss was weird and strange.

[ALoco]

MARC JUST WANT TO BAD MUTH ANY THING THIS TEAM DOES.

[OH Dolfan]

Mixed feelings about the move but I was bothered by the fact that Henne went to the sidelines and have a smile on his face after he threw picks last Sunday. That didn't show me much and my opinion of him changed when I saw that.

[Waterboy]

Fins go 11-5 and make the wildcard. Lose last game in Foxboro to avoid the Ravens in RD 1

Go Fins

Al Harris has 2 picks in debut against Cutler

[Jeff in Boston]

Do you morons watch the football games?
Of course this was the RIGHT MOVE.
This saves the season, you losers. Geesh, enough about rebuilding - this is a good team.

We stood toe to toe with Pittsburgh - and did you notice the one thing they do that we can not? It was throw an occasional deep pass.

Enough about arm strength, Henne can not throw the deep ball. It is 2010, and every QB MUST be able to connect a couple of deep balls.

The season was O-V-E-R with Henne at the helm - Now I will go to the bar (full of New England fans) and make sure I catch every down for the rest of the season.

Thank you Tony Sparano for saving my autumn.
Draft Lockyer, rehab Odrick and Merling, and we are looking forward not backwards. If you don't know by now that Henne can't cut it, then I should be coaching this team.

And you whiners should go back to mama's basement and let the men direct the show.

Cheers from enemy territory. Go Dolphins!

[Marc]

"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA"
-Signed, Bill Parcells

[Joe Scmoe]

To me, looks like Marc pointed out blatantly obvious things. This team is in shambles from Front office to Roster.

[Mopar]

Jason Allen will go to the patriots or jets, and he'll pick off Henne,or Penny and will revive his career. I think Sparano should start Thigpen over Penny, I hate to see Penny get another CCS,or worse yet another Shoulder injury, and beside we've already seen what Penny can do, weak arm and a statue of liberty QB.

[Waterboy]

Remember the Touch Pass. Henne can not make this throw.

Too many guys wide open and missed. Too many uncatchable balls.

We can still turn it around.

[javin bur]

JEFF IRELAND, BILL PARCELLS, TONY SPARANO, DAN HENNING, MIKE NOLAN-dem COWARD ASS BUMS @ DA TOP FINALLY HAD ENUFF BALLS 2 MAKE A CHANGE @ QB 4 DEM SUPA SOFT MARSHMELLOW SORRY ASS DOLPHINS-GUD NEWS DEY STILL LOSE BY 3PTS...

[oscar canosa]

Remember Bill Parcells took over a 1-15 Team. With luck, that's a 3 year rebuild. Right on schedule.

[Losdolfan]

Henne is not the future!

[Marc]

UNBELEIVABLE...

Truly

So many RETARDED decisions. Can't even BEGIN to explain my frustrations

Don't understand how millionaires can make worse decisions than Joe Momma

[Nick]

About time. This is a move to help us get to the playoffs NOW. Henne may or may not be the future of this franchise, but he is definitly not a playoff calibre QB RIGHT NOW. Pennington is.

[Ben]

Anthor reason Bill Parcells is overrated look and Dallas and Look and Miami. Complete disarray. Good thing he quit he should stay gone. The game has past him by.

[Jet Hater]

Armando nailed it - desperate move from a coaching staff that needs to 'win now' or risk their jobs.

I don't think Henne was a much the problem as the complete lack of a running game, CBs who drop sure ints, and a fossil for an OC.

Here's to noodle arm checking down as any throw over 30yds will surely hurt his shoulder - then again he will probably only stay healthy for 2 games anyway

[Waterboy]

There will be no fines in the alleged LeRon McClain/Channing Crowder spitting incident, the NFL confirms

[Derek4Dolphins]

I am uncertain what makes anyone think Moss thought coming to Miami was a good move for Him? Yes, Miami could have just "Claimed" him. But Moss has made peoples lives miserable for much less then bringing him where he did not want to go. Even without knowing whether Moss wanted to play in Miami, I still ask why did 22 other team pass on him just as Miami did?

As far as Pennington goes, looking at last season gives no hint to what can happen with him at QB this year. Pennington has many things to work with now that he did not in the first 3 games of last season...A quality receiver in Marshall, a hugely improved and growing talent in Bess, a receiver in Hartline who has matured a great deal from his first 3 games in the league and an O-line wich is affording pretty damn good pass protection (An very foul issue early on for them last season)... Comparing Pennington playing with THIS Dolphins team and the Early season team of last year is apples and Oranges.

The Up side is we find out if this team is suffering a Henne problem... or as many of us believe... a Henning problem... This is a very good test platform to see that and to send Henne a message that he MUST improve if he wishes to remain at QB for the Dolphins... If I were him I would start by losing 15-20lbs and go from there. If Pennington does not make an improvement or help Miami to win... moving back to Henne is only a decision away. I applaud Coach for at least trying a shakeup with Allen and Henne to get this team re-focused on its situation.

[Marc]

There will be no fines in the alleged LeRon McClain/Channing Crowder spitting incident, the NFL confirms

ADD INSULT TO INJURY

[Losdolfan]

Henne is what he is. He is a backup at best. How many great games has he had? How many bad games has he had?

[Waterboy]

NO MORE FIST PUMP TIME BABY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[oscar canosa]

Don't you people see that next Sunday, if the OC's play calling fails, ChadP will take over those duties? Brilliant Decision, Coach Sparano.

[Waterboy]

Dont Worry guys

Penne is at the helm.

We wont loose on Offense.

Career Days for Marshall and Bess coming soon.

We pass about 25 times and run it 35

Give Lex Hillard the rock.

[enrique1085]

Folks-
Let's not forget that Tennessee has one of the WORST pass defenses in the league right now. If Penny does great and throws for 2+ TD's. let try and not over react please. Just had to say it, that is all.

[Joe Scmoe]

Nick, how does inserting Penny @ QB get us to the playoffs? If you watched this team at all this year, you'd know this move does nothing.

It does not help 3rd down defense. Cutting J. Allen hurts special teams. THOSE 2 areas Penny will do nothing to solve. If Miami gets back to 7-9, it'd be a surprise.

[GWCoyote]

Wow !! Will Marshall know how to run 6 yard patterns? We haven't run the ball well all year
so changing the QB does not address that ! We keep winning the coin toss, kicking off and yielding points, how does this address that?
When a coach panics like this, team goes further into the tank.

[Waterboy]

Enrique, we just need to win man!

[Waterboy]

RB Kory Sheets said he's been assured he'll be returning to the Dolphins next year. He's lost about 10 pounds and need to put it back on

No need to Draft a returner then

[cowkilla]

Now who looks dumb for passing on a threat like Moss! I would rather have moss over AL any day of the week...what is going on in miami guys???

[Derek4Dolphins]

As far as Pennington goes, looking at last season gives no hint to what can happen with him at QB this year. Pennington has many things to work with now that he did not in the first 3 games of last season...A quality receiver in Marshall, a hugely improved and growing talent in Bess, a receiver in Hartline who has matured a great deal from his first 3 games in the league and an O-line wich is affording pretty damn good pass protection (An very foul issue early on for them last season)... Comparing Pennington playing with THIS Dolphins team and the Early season team of last year is apples and Oranges.

The Up side is we find out if this team is suffering a Henne problem... or as many of us believe... a Henning problem... This is a very good test platform to see that and to send Henne a message that he MUST improve if he wishes to remain at QB for the Dolphins... If I were him I would start by losing 15-20lbs and go from there. If Pennington does not make an improvement or help Miami to win... moving back to Henne is only a decision away. I applaud Coach for at least trying a shakeup with Allen and Henne to get this team re-focused on its situation.

[Waterboy]

Time to activate Moore.

He is the deep threat.

Forget about TE # 2 on game days

Use Mcquistan on 2 TE sets.

Sparano make a move baby in WR front

[Derek4Dolphins]

Pardon my double post... my bad...

[GWCoyote]

My main remembrance of the last Pennington era is a ton of 3 yard tosses on 3rd and 4 !!!!!!!

[DyingBreed]

Win Now Mode? Looks More Like "Wave The White Flag Mode" To Me!

We have now assured ourselves of a top 5 2011 pick. Guess another offensive lineman it is@!

[oscar canosa]

You don't like 4-4, babies? With the caliber of Teams we had to play against, babies? For sure all you newborns will wind up in another Blog, if any.

[Waterboy]

Magical Run time for Penne

[anthony]

this organization sucks<<< F,,,in joke

[Mark in Toronto]

Henne is 11-10 as a qb in his career. Yep, merits benching. Bunch of donkeys.

[DyingBreed]

We passed on Randy Moss because Henning's been begging for Pennington.

Why do you need Moss while planning to start Pennington? He'll never be able to throw it deep enough.

[Waterboy]

Chad Penne can run for first downs.

Chad Henne runs 3 yds and slides like an old lady.

[DyingBreed]

WE ARE IN TOP 5 NFL DRAFT PICK MODE BABY!!!