Henne remains the starter, but evaluation coming

Despite another three-interception game, Chad Henne remains the Dolphins starting quarterback -- for now.

Dolphins coach Tony Sparano said Monday he is not considering benching Henne (again), this time for Tyler Thigpen. "No, I don’t think so right now," Sparano said.

But ...

Sparano admitted some re-evaluation will take place by the Dolphins at the quarterback position. Perhaps not now, but eventually? Absolutely. Like at the end of the season.

“Listen the guy’s a young player right now. He’s, I think, getting better at a lot of things. At the end of the year we’ll have to sit down and from our standpoint we have to evaluate the whole big picture, I mean, we really do but there’s obviously some areas there where Chad needs to continue to improve and he would tell you that. One of the areas is, is this, this turnover thing.

"We just cannot, nobody can; I mean I’m watching one of the best in the league the last couple weeks have some problems that way (Peyton Manning), so you just can’t overcome them in this league. The margin is, it’s just too hard to overcome those kind of turnovers and unfortunately what you see is the guy throwing the football doing it. We don’t see all the other factors around it and there are a lot of other factors that go into how the quarterback plays in general and, and I think what the outcome is. In other words the result of an interception or all and any of those things.

"I mean, we had two protections yesterday where for all intensive purposes we’ve blocked these protections 150 times during the course of the season and what occurred yesterday on those two protections should never occur in that particular protection but it did and he got hit as he was throwing and at the end of the day you don’t convert a third and four. That stops a drive and that kills you in some of those things. The quarterback kind of takes the blame for that and there’s a lot of people around him.

"I feel like we got to make sure that the people around him are getting better as well. That’s probably a long answer to a short question but I do think this guy’s getting better. We’re going to have to evaluate everything at the end of the year."

Seems like Henne will get at least this coming game to get out of the Cleveland hole he dug himself. If he wins, he continues. If he loses, well, he probably continues because benching him at that point would be moot. The Dolphins would be out of the playoffs for sure, rather than almost definitely out of the playoffs.

The only reason Sparano would have for benching him at that point is if the coach believes Thigpen has a better chance to win him some games and he feels the need to get himself some wins for his own job security.

It otherwise seems wise that Henne might just keep his job until the end of the season and gets those games to prove himself.

Either way, it seems the Dolphins will go quarterback shopping this offseason. They will either try to find backup help or a quarterback that can compete for the starting job. That, of course, will all depend on that evaluation of Henne that will come when 2010 is over.

Comments

[Toast]

Guys, we need swagger. The really good teams have swagger. The really bad teams have Dan Henning. Henning has never succeeded in anything he did. The guy has been fired from every job he had.

I actually think Tony is a pretty good coach. He motivates but Henning demotivates the team with his play calling. All we need is a new OC guys. Someone from this century and not last century.

Is it so hard to call plays that compliment the offense instead of making the offense look inept? Even Chad Jr. might move up to Dilfer status if he had a new OC.

[Joe Schmoe]

For me, being that I want a coaching & managerial change, the best thing maybe is to lose. I will accept wins or losses, but more beneficial would be losses. This will cement in the owners mind that we need to change course. We are no where near the level of the Jets or Pats in terms of personnel or talent & it will show up on the score sheet. Denver realized it less than 2 years in with Mcdaniels. We should do the same thing.

It will also help us secure a higher draft spot. Which will allow us to entertain trade down offers to get our #2 pick back & start finding good players to help build this team the right way.

[Sparano's Sunglasses]

Home,

Are you Chad Henne

[returnmeigs]

Sanchez vs. Henne? What are the 4th Quarter comeback wins/drives for each, anyone?

[Marc]

“We’ll be out there all day if we don’t [practice well],” quarterback Tom Brady(notes) said. “He’ll just keep us out there.”

[oscar canosa]

One suggestion for Tony: warm temperatures dilate vessels and thus induces aerobic fitness fast. Milder temperatures vasoconstrict so it takes longer to reach fitness but it is more lasting in a game. Practice Cool... and keep them there.

[ALoco]

SNACHEZ AND HENNE BOTH WILL BE HISTORY IN A YEAR

[Toast]

Off Topic: I use to think Angelina Jolie was not that attractive. I just saw her on TV and this women is the most beautiful woman in the world.

Just thought I'd share.

[Marc]

Sanchez VS Henne. Should make for an exciting game (zzzzzzzzzzzz)

“We’ll be out there all day if we don’t [practice well],” quarterback Tom Brady(notes) said. “He’ll just keep us out there.”

[Home]

good is the understatement of the decade

45-3 last night MNF

[ace]

what does everyone think about Ryan Mallet from Arkansas? hes tall, smart, great arm, and play fake is beyond great. Thoughts?

[ALoco]

SANCHEZ WILL HAVE A CAR DEALERSHIP AND HENNE WILL BE FARMING

[Toast]

@Marc

It's been a long time since this team was disciplined. The really good teams practice until they get it right. The really bad teams say, "we need to look at the tape to see what went wrong."

[wu1sabes]

Henne is a BUST, get Vick.

[Home]

Henne will play good against the Jets

Pat Turner took out the Jets defensive QB for the rest of the season

Go Phins!

[ALoco]

DID ANY ONE NOTICE TOM BRADY NICE black JACKET .lol

[Sparano's Sunglasses]

A lot of good things came out of the game last night vs. Pats. The Pats exposed the jets so I don't have to worry hearing about the jets all week and how great Nacho Libra is. The jets are going to be pissed and destroy Miami at home.

That's another embarrassing loss to make it 4 embarrassing and 1 really bad loss.

Embarrassing
1. Pat 41-14
2. Baltimore 26-10
3. Chicago 16-0
4. Jets on Sunday 31-10

Really bad loss
1 Jets 31-23 in Stephen Ross's prized home opener.

[Toast]

PS...Can we finally put the whole Manning/Brady debate to rest. There is a clear winner and a clear loser.

Tom can carry a team on his back. Manning blames the team when he throws a pick.

[wu1sabes]

ryan mallett looks good in college, but how is his accuracy?

[ALoco]

could ind let p.manning walk then we get him for cheap

[Sammy29]

I have been watching the same team you are.I didn't mean to come off as we are as good pound for pound as NE.I simply meant to point out that if played correctly we could be in alot better situation than we are.I'm sayin four wide with Ricky or Ronnie everyone running a different route with some underneath crossing routes we might find some 3rd down success.NE doesn't have a ton of talented receivers like you may believe.What NE does do is put them in the best possible position to make a play.Did you see that Woodhead run out of the buch formation last night? WR's blocking downfield..Jets never saw it coming.It wasn't just a 3 receiver standard formation with the same blocking scheme play in and play out.Sometimes the back stayed home to block..sometimes the TE...Sometime the back got the ball..this was all done with the same formation.I can't believe that you think NE has so much more talent than we do.IT is not just personnel it is GREAT coaching all the way around.Oh,and who is our one marginal TE? I have not seem him in awhile.LOL I'll give you the QB and TE's but Brady make the o-line and receivers look better than they are and although they haven't been playing like it Ronnie and Ricky are a hell of alot more talented than anything the Pats have.

[cocoajoe]

Watching Mike And mike this morning and one of the topics was the McDaniel's firing. He (John Clayton) brought up the other firings and said this was a good indication that the owners will cave and sign a new CBA. Interesting I thought.

[returnmeigs]

Sanchez vs. Henne:

Sanchez: 4 4th qtr comebacks/5 game winning drives. 1 last year 4 in 2010

Henne: 3 4th qtr comebacks/4 game winning drives. 3 in 2009 1 this year.

Is one learning to win?

[oscar canosa]

Both Brady and Manning are excellent QB's who know exactly what they are suppossed to do.

[Toast]

The day of the pocket passer is slowly fading. Brady is the last of the pure pocket passer that is worth a darned. All the new kids on the block take off running when it's open. They don't sit and take the coverage sack like Manning does.

If Cam enters the draft Miami should SALE THE FARM to grab him. This team is young. All we need is a new OC and a TOP TIER QB.

[wu1sabes]

sanchez in developing and getting better, henne is regressing and worse every game.

[PriceMaster]

Ace,
Mallett was Henne's backup as a freshman at Michigan.
He'll make a fine NFL QB especially if the team that picks him brings in Penington to jumpstart his development.
Just look what wonders Pennington has done here:
-Henne is only Division 1 QB to have his team ranked in the top 25 every week for 4 years.
-Henne (not Brady, Brees) holds every big ten pasing record.
-Henne put the following WR's into the NFL: Braylon Edwards, Mario Manningham, Steve Breaston, Jason Avant.

Henne was already a polished, big time QB when he got here. Now he plays like Pennington did before the shoulder surgeries. Pennington couldn't even hold the Jets starting job when they sucked.

[ALoco]

ANY ONE KNOWS A RECIPE FOR WHOE GOAT ?

[Joe Schmoe]

Tony's sunglasses, The patriots didn't expose the Jets. Everyone has known how to beat the them. They can't generate a pass rush without blitzing. You just need to spread them out & throw to the 1 on 1 coverage. When the Jets Blitz, someone will always come open. You just have to protect the QB long enough that he can find the guy & get him the ball. The key is to spread them out.

With that being said, expect Miami to max protect, send few WR's in the pattern, try to run into a brick wall & expect Henne to force balls into tight coverage as he runs for his life. As we do none of the things required to beat them, even if the formula is a proven success.

[Scott]

Which pro-bowl receivers was Henne throwing to in the fourth quarter?

They took away Fasano and Bess who was left?

[Toast]

@Oscar

Manning was surrounded by a HOF supporting cast for his entire career. HOF WR's, HOF RB, and HOF coach. What has he done without those HOF people?

Answer....NOTHING!

What has Brady done with mediocre players? Answer...just look at his right hand for that answer. When the game is on the line Manning can't deliver. PICK PICK PICK... Then he goes up to players on the FIELD trying to make the viewing audience think it was their fault instead of his.

[tommy kk]

im over it, i supported sparano long enuff. he isnt developing this team they are flat lining if not regressing and that cannot continue. Back up the brinks truck to jim harbaugh and hire that guy immediately. keep ireland on board to see how he and jimmy get a long and lets do this thing. thats would almost be the smartest move this orgqnization can make...no gruden, no petersen though, that would be disastrous.

[oscar canosa]

Ask in Dominican Republic, ALoco.

[ALoco]

TO ALL DONKEYS....... THE FOOTBALL THE FINS ARE PLAYING IS OLD STYLE FOOTBALL ,WE NEED 3 MIDGETS AND 3 TE AND 3 WR ,THEN WE PLAY .

[Darryl Dunphy]

Henne needs to pray that this offseason we get our hands on a running back, and some pieces for our offensive line. Personaly I would go offensive line first(Thinking running backs are easier to find) I thought Te was a priority, but we missed on that ship, and after watching the offense this year. I don't think Henne could get him the ball anyway, and I'll tell you why. Henne shouldn't be put into the situation where he has to pass it 30 times a game. Our inability to run it has had a huge effect on Henne. We are so 1 dimensional that the opposing defenses have it easy. The games where we have been able to run the ball, Henne has played at his best, and tht Phins have won. Henne isn't a qb that can throw it 40 times consistantly, and give us a chance to win. Nothing is going to chnange for this team if next year we are bogged down with a 3.8 ypc(I think that's right) To be fair to any qb, it would be hard to play with that production.

[Cuban Menace]

How POed will the jets be on Sunday after there nationally televised beat down??????,The pats are the team to beat IMHO and have been all year, and just think, next draft they have 45 picks in the NFL draft.....Though not shocked that the jets got the beat down that they deserved, I figured New England would expose them, Wonder how ESPN will put a spin on that..

[Toast]

LOL @Aloco

We need all those things mentioned PLUS a heart.

Miami just hasn't have the fire in the belly for quite some time. Dan was the last player on this team with any heart or fire in the belly.

[ALoco]

P.MANNING IS OVER RATED ,HE'S GOOD BUT NOT AS THE MEDIA MAKE HIM TO BE.

IF THE THE OWNER CHOSE TO NOT GIVE HIM THE MONEY HE WANTED HE CAN END UP HERE AS OLD DAMAGE GOODS .

[0x80]

We've all seen this movie before. Sparano and Henne will be here next year. By Thanksgiving we'll be out of the playoff hunt. Whispers will mount that Sparano will lose his job. Sparano will then be let go, the new coach will trade Henne for a #6 and a tomato, and then we start over from there.

[oscar canosa]

I'm not comparing anyone(is bad for the Soul), Toast. Just pointing out that they are both great QB's.

[P. Manning]

Not my fault...

[tommy kk]

in addition this team should lose the remaining games on their schedule in order to get close as possible to #1 pick...Sell the farm to andy luck not cam thomas...luck could step in day one and be better than sanchez let alone henne....this giy was develpoed by harbaugh and is flat out awesome. he could spread the field with our current receivers and shred teams tomorrow. back up the truck to harbaugh throw all the dough in ross pockets to get him and figure out a way to land andy luck...this team will change overnight and be phenomenal for the next 20 years...

[Julius]

Yah too early to start haking Henne's head..Give it some time, it's not like the players we have around him are helping him progress..Hell we can't establish a decen consistent running game, our receivers with the exception of Bess are not that good.So give the kid some time..Look what happen to Drew Brees, San Diego gave up on him, now he has a Superbowl ring and San Diego still struggling to win one..

[michael lash]

Henne didnt have any recievers to throw it to after heartline went down.

[ALoco]

toast, 3 midgets like WOODHEAD AND WE R IN OUR WAY .THE GUY IS MIDGET AT 5.6' AND WHEN HE RUNS BETWEEN THE BIG PLAYERS NO ONE NOTICE HIM .

[Toast]

So comparing Mother Theresa with Hitler is bad for the soul? I should never say Hitler was a monster compared to Mother Theresa?

I see your point....

PS...note the sarcasm.

[oscar canosa]

Goat is not preferred by Cubans(only in the countryside).

[Mark in Toronto]

Sell the farm for Cam Newton?!??! hahahaa, maybe they can bring in Pat White to back him up.

[ALoco]

TOMMY , YOU R RIGHT WE SHOULD LOSE THE REST OF THE GAME THIS TO PLACE IN A BETTER SPOT FOR THE DRAFT AS DB TOLD US YESTERDAY .

[The Seer]

Are the Ball Boy & Fist Pump still in charge?

Why?

[oscar canosa]

We all have our faults, Toast.

[Toast]

Pat making more money playing baseball than 16 games in the season. Lord knows he will never play more than 16 after the regular season on this team.

[Joe Schmoe]

Woodhead is a better option than Ricky or Ronnie at this point. He can run, he can block & he can catch and make BIG things happen. Ricky & Ronnie are plodders like Green-ellis at this point. They are not the play-maker Woodhead is. They can't run routes Like Woodhead can. You'll never see us do that because the talent as it is is not suited for it. This is why we need fast TE's & Rb's to give us those mismatches.

As for their WR's not being that talented? Come on, you're joking right? Welker is a STUD. Branch is playing as he did when he was a SuperBowl MVP. Tate is a play-maker.

They run that system because they can. Quick, fast, smaller, shifty guys. If Miami tried to run that offense, they'd be miserable because they don't have the skill set except for Bess...maybe Hartline. They certainly don't have the TE threats.

I want a diverse offense as much as anyone. But if you think Ricky, Ronnie, Marshall & the rest can run that....let's just say I don't think so. The reason is we have drafted & assembled a BIG team based on an 80's prototype. Not a FAST team with skill.

[ALoco]

WE SUOMO PEOPLE FOR THE DL AND MIDGETS FO THE OL .

[Mark in Toronto]

FYI, I am not taking any franchise direction points seriously by any poster who can't spell or use proper grammar (as opposed to just sloppy typing) other than ALoco from now on. I mean, if you can't form a proper sentence, how can I take your thoughts seriously on guiding a billion dollar enterprise?

[oscar canosa]

Nothing better than a cut from the middle of the Round.

[ALoco]

WE NEED SUOMO PEOPLE FOR THE DL AND MIDGETS AS WOODHEAD FOR THE OL .

MARK...THAK YOU ...SHORT PLAB

[who]

ok mark toronto, gee big loss for us.

[Mark in Toronto]

BTW, I have professed my football love for Ryan Mallett since last year's college season. I thought he was even the best Qb in college last year (yes, better than Bradford) let alone this year. He's a passing machine in the Rivers/Marino/Favre mold. Crazy downfield passing all day long.

[oscar canosa]

Why do People get so silly in Blogs? Fear.