Sparano: Henne didn't grade out poorly

Tony Sparano will meet with his players at approximately 1 p.m. today and go over what happened during Sunday's 34-27 loss to Detroit. He will tell them what everyone knows: The Dolphins did not finish well and the result was turning a 10-point lead with five minutes to play into a seven-point loss.

But one thing Sparano will tell his team most of us -- certainly me -- overlooked: Chad Henne didn't play terribly.

During his 14-minute Monday press conference, the Dolphins coach said quarterback Chad Henne did not grade out poorly.

Let that marinate for a second.

Henne completed 29 of 44 passes for 278 yards with 1 TD and 2 INTs for a 72 quarterback rating in a 34-27 loss to the Detroit Lions. He had a QB rating over 100 through three quarters. His fourth-quarter rating was like the Boston weather the Dolphins are about to experience Sunday when they play New England -- in the 20s.

But in grading the film, Miami's coaching staff came to the conclusion Henne wasn't as bad as everyone believed because the player got "only" six minuses. And that is his all-time best as the Dolphins starter.

"In two years it's his lowest," Sparano said. "Two years. I thought at the time the guy was throwing the ball into the wind really well. You guys were out there watching it. I don't know that you know the conditions and what it was like out there but they were pretty stiff during the course of that game. I thought he threw the ball pretty well at times and he completed whatever it was, 66 percent on the day. He had one or two of them that got away from him -- the deep ball to Brandon [Marshall] on the right sideline going into the end zone that he maybe overthrew a shade and a couple of locations. But other than that, it really came down to the last five minutes we didn't finish the game."

That is all true. All of it. Dead on accurate in every detail and fact.

But I think the truth is more important than the facts. So I want to know the truth. And I wanted to know if Sparano believed his quarterback, who was being serenaded with "Henne sucks" chants from the home crowd, played well against Detroit.

"We didn't finish the game in the last five minutes and he threw a couple of interceptions but other than that, one of the interceptions is not his, Armando," Sparano answered, no doubt wishing death upon me. "So yeah, I kind of think on the game, as a whole, when you grade the film, he didn't play poorly. Absolutely didn't play poorly."

Now, you may read theories elsewhere that Sparano was simply spinning the truth so as to not throw Henne under the bus. Not true. When the quarterback stinks rotten, Sparano doesn't defend him anymore. Shouldn't, actually. This is big-boy football and it's time for Henne to grow up.

On this occasion, the coach simply was trying to correct the perception of a terrible game by Henne because that's what the player's grade actually shows. And that's what he would then tell the team. And if he tells the media one thing and the team another, it ruins his credibility with his players.

So Sparano said that which is hard for some people to be convinced about: Henne wasn't awful Sunday.

Look, you don't have to like it. I don't. You know I no longer believe Henne is Miami's future at QB. And I also wouldn't give Henne a pass on that second INT that was returned for a TD because on the play, he had the choice of throwing to five different receivers and he picked the only one that was bracketed while not serving up an opportunity to the three facing man-coverage or Brandon Marshall against a zone.

Yet, the grade is the grade. And the grade did include some negative plays.

"That [first] interception was a combination of a few things," Sparano explained. "One, the decision wasn't great on the interception. Let me say this: First of all, Chad Henne probably, not probably, he only had six minuses out of the entire football game. One of them was on that play particularly and it was a combination of two or three things that happened. The tight end didn't sit down and he kind of drifted on him and they end up getting the ball in the short end of the field. We stop them, but we gave up field goal.

"We have a receiver open. He's open at the sticks and falls down. Slips. The ball ends up in [the defender's] hands. We're going to the right place with the football. He's throwing in the right area. The receiver falls down and they pick it off and we miss three tackles on the play."

I guess I got a football lesson today. A player can stink for five minutes and still not have his entire body of work in a game get slimed. So Henne maybe didn't play well when one considers the entire body of work. But he wasn't terrible, either, according to Miami coaching grades.

Comments

[Marc]

Look, I'll say this SLOWLY for the simpletons out there...

THEY WERE JUMPING HENNE'S ROUTES FROM HIS VERY FIRST PASS...Why do you suppose that is?

I don't give a crap what his "grade" was...Defenders have tape on him, and he's going to continue throwing picks, and making poor decisions, and staring down defenders, and not pump faking, and scrambling prematurely...

The guy stinks

[bill_cnnrs@yahoo.com]

agree marc, i backed henne week after week. but i cant do it anymore, mainly cause he has no fire in his eyes. never seems to care

[Manny]

The fans who are giving Henne a pass or otherwise think he is the answer are kidding themselves, don't insult true Dolphin fans. We spent 17 years watching greatness (Marino), we know what greatness looks like and Henne doesn't have it and never will. Marino took us to a Super Bowl in those 17 years and he was one of the best of all time, what hopes do we have that Henne will get us there, none. Marino had more talent in his pinky toe than Henne posses in his whole body. FIND A QB, YOU SINK OR SWIM WITH YOUR QB!

[ALoco]

THE GANG OF DEFEAT ARE HERE AGAIN ,THE DONKEY MARC AND THE BROWN DONKEY BILL.

[oscar canosa]

Don't people see that no offence can work without a QB that understands it? Not even Bill Walsh(God rest his soul) could make the present Miami offense work.

[I know]

Blah Blah for 10 paragraphs.

The only stat that counts is SCOREBOARD

He does not win games.

[ALoco]

I AM OUT NUMBERED NOW GUYS ..4 GANG OF DEFEAT VS ME ALONE...........

HELP

[Xerxes Black]

All of you guys confuse me. One time Henne is bad. Next time Henne is good. Bottom line is the buck stops with coaches and coordinators. They have to be flexible to adapt their game to what they have or get what they don't have.
Don't blame the players. The players can be fired, traded and replaced. This is a sickening bunch of rejects from the President of the organization, down to the GM and coaches. Three years would not be enough, assuming that one see some improvement. In reality, this team has regressed in the last two years.

[bill_cnnrs@yahoo.com]

agree xerxes, no worries thouugh. jan 3 we throw the trash out and find a real staff

[student1776]

Henne is a peripheral issue, not the main issue. Henne is about par with his classmates when one corrects for the surrounding team - middle of the pack. He may or may not improve to eventually become a top QB. Probably will but whether that happens is mainly dependent on him studying and working on his skills.

The real issue are the facts that (1) a combination of roster churning and bad coaching led us to lose 3-4 games this season that should have been ours, (2) roster churning and some bad personnel choices (like dropping Groves) seriously weakened our offensive line (crippling our running game and messing up our whole offense), (3) our offense is designed for Pennington and was never adjusted for Henne's talents and (4) he have a terrible return on investment for our high round draft picks. These real issues have nothing to do with Henne and rather are reflect the fact that our front office talent evaluation engine, our coaching strategy leaning towards roster churning and keeping chronies as assistant coaches, and a lack of creativity and focus on our offensive planning has to be fixed either by Sparano and Ireland or by replacing them. In all fairness though, it should be noted that Nolan was an outstanding hire and that the Dansby, Wake and Marshall acquisitions were also outstanding. Hopefully a re-focused front office can get us talent to rebuild the OL, a fast RB, a game breaker punt returner, and a pass-catching TE.

[fiveharpers]

I understand that since the Boston Airport is snowed in and the Patriots could not get home that they will give up their home game and come to Miami for another one in here, that way they would have another guaranteed win

[Home]

Thinking Henne is HAARP mind controlled in the 4th Q by New World Order members Bellicheat & Kraft

...Just Saying

[PETTYFOGGER]

The untouchability of Henne is something I can't understang a good coach will cut his bad draft picks and go on ( N.E ). Why are you doing this coach, why are you so affray to act on Henne, this ship is sinking and the ICE-BERG is Henne.

[Finsfan Ralph]

Well,I didn't see the game due to the freakin'snowstorm--and I'm thinking that may be a good thing;my doctor wants me to lower my blood pressure.But,from what I've seen on NFL Network and read on-line Checkdown Chad should of been intercepted several times.Apparently the Lions DBs don't practice ball drills either.So,Sparano--why aren't you including those dropped INTs in your grading of Henne?

[oscar canosa]

Oh, but they have adjusted to Henne. They don't let him throw in the red zone.

[ALoco]

LATTEST NEWS RE THE HC AND ROSS................

SPARNAO CAME TO OFFICE TODAY AT 2;30 AM TO REVIEW FILMES FROM LAST GAME VS DET AND HE SAID ((((( I HAVE SPOKEN TO MR ROSS YEAS AND I AM NOT GOING TO TELL YOU WHAT WE SPOKE ABOUT BUT I AM SURE I CAN TURN YHIS THING AROUND ))) .

[bobbyd12]

Channing Crowder decided that all the fans that booed Sunday are "fair weather fans". Well Channing, when people pay good money and get a shty product, they have a right to boo. Either Crowder is kissing ass after last years debacle with Joey Porter, or he is just plain stupid.

[CanesRUs]

Funny thing is that fans in San Diego were spewing the same crap the first 3 years of Drew Brees' career, in which he played a lot. That's why Philip Rivers was drafted with a high pick. Year 4 all of a suddenly the light bulb turned on for Brees and the rest is history. The offense around Henne sucks! Very tough to develop a young QB or determine his potential. Upgrade the supporting cast, build a solid o-line, and bring in a vet to compete for sure. Then this discussion has some better data points to reach a true conclusion!

[CanesRUs]

Look, I'll say this SLOWLY for the simpletons out there...

THEY WERE JUMPING HENNE'S ROUTES FROM HIS VERY FIRST PASS...Why do you suppose that is?

I don't give a crap what his "grade" was...Defenders have tape on him, and he's going to continue throwing picks, and making poor decisions, and staring down defenders, and not pump faking, and scrambling prematurely...

The guy stinks

Posted by: Marc | December 27, 2010 at 07:41 PM

They were jumping Pennington's WRs' routes the last time he started as well. Had a bunch of picks! When the WRs can't get any separation, that's what happens. Not necessarily the QB that's the cause, it usually has to do with lack of fear of an explosive play due to lack of speed in the WR core!!! Speed opens up the shorter routes for the more possession type wideouts. Bad o-line with lack of speed leads to crap offense. Always has!!!

[bobbyd12]

Canes R us, totally agree with you but our opinion is in the minority here. Just don't drink and blog or you will have multiple friends on here like me Lol

[Randy S.]

Bottom line.....Henne is still learning and doesn't have a stellar team around him yet like Ryan and Flacco do. They both have good running games and defenses. We can't run for sh@#. Our defense is very good, but still is a player or two away from being stellar. Manning, Brady, and Brees are all QBs that can make it happen no matter what talent they have, but they are exceptional. Also, have you ever seen Brady just stand in the pocket with all day to throw? Henne NEVER has that! Any pro QB can pick a defense apart with that much time. We need to upgrade our OL and OC. Get a fast WR...we should have kept Ginn.....and I think Henne will be a very good QB. If he still has issues next year, then I'll believe we need to look for another QB.

[ad1437]

Armando, so is this the best he has graded out... I guess he has graded out worst in the past but they don't do anything about it or at least coach him to get better....in this grade do they look at how he keys on the receivers, doesn't do his progression, is robotic, has no pocket presence,gets balls batted down multiple times in every game,when he scrambles he is looking down at the ground not towards the field looking for receivers and has no feel for the game(magement of the game), by this I mean what are you gaining by throwing a 4 yard pass at the end of the game instead of at least trying a hail mary or something, forget about loosing the game, you are loosing the season and thats the best you can do....worst two minute offense in the NFL...I wonder how Sparano grades himself....probably not too many minuses...I wonder how he grades the QB coach....LOL...

[Jefferson]

It's stupid to say that Miami definitely should have picked Matt Ryan. With Miami's luck, he would have blown out his ACL first practice and come back hobbled for the rest of his career. No one can say with anything regarding certainty that Matt Ryan would have worked in Miami. Heck, Henning would have probably messed up his head too.

[bill_cnnrs@yahoo.com]

in the past, lets move forward

[dolfan33]

AD1437 hit the nail on the head

[ALoco]

THE CHARGERS WILL KEEP THEIR GM AND THE HC EVEN IF THEY DIDN'T MAKE IT TO THE PLAYOFFS W/PHILPS AS THEIR QB AT 8-8

MIAMI ? WILL IT KEEP IRELAND ANS SPARANO ? I SAY YES

[Home]

sorry to report

Christmas Eve,broward county Fl
9:00 am bombarded w 6 large chemtrails expanding to toxic chemclouds

Thought it was over
was wishful thinking

They are Back!

[T. Martin]

Let's start with something that I hope we can all agree on; Mark Sanchez BLOWS. But with that being said, I was shocked to see that Chad Henne has arguably put up better numbers. That shocks me because if you listen to ESPN and you didn't actually watch the games you'd think Sanchez is destined to be bigger in NFL history than Joe Namath or Brett Favre. To say Sanchez is a pedestrian QB is putting mildly. The only category Sanchez grades out better than Henne is, not surprisingly, TD/INT ratio. But Henne leads in QB rating, yds/game, completions,completion % and yds/att.

Does any of that mean Henne is better than we've been giving him credit for? No.

It just proves the axiom that Sanchez is GROSSLY over-rated and over-hyped. But it also suggests that with the nearly identical level of QB play this year the difference in the standings comes down to coaching and play calling.

[steve]

Sparano and Henne both need to go.

[BLACKCEROTE]

WAS WATCHING CHAD HENNE GAMES IN THE PRESEASON IN HIS ROOKIE YEAR..AND HE CAME IN STARTED THROWING STRIKES TO DAVID KIRCUS ,,,,NO CHECK DOWNS..ALSO WHEN HE CAME IN WITH MOP UP DUTY VS. THE CARDINALS HE THREW 3 20 YARD STRIKES TO DEREK HAGAN....NO CHECK DOWNS..AND IN HIS INTERVIEWS HE HAD MORE SWAGGER ..MEANING THE COACHES MESSED HIS MIND UP..RON JAWORSKI SAID THAT WHEN COACHES TEACH A OB TO CHECK DOWN..HE'S FRIED..THATS ANOTHER REASON HE STINKS..,.THATS WHY HE SHOWS NO EMOTION IN THE 2 MIN DRILL WITH CHAD PENNIGHTON AND DAVID LEE..AND DAN HENNING ..TELLING HIM TO BE CALM AND TAKE WHAT THEY GIVE YOU ..THATS WHY HE DOESN'T TAKE CHANCES..THEY FRIED THE DUDES HEAD..

[calidolfan]

Henne is nothing more than a caretaker QB with a good arm. If the Dolphins were running the ball like they had the past 2 years he would be adequate. He will never carry a team on his back like Brady, Manning, Rivers, etc.

[ALoco]

RIVERS SITTING AT HOME WATCHING MOVIES NOW .NO PLAYOFFS .

[drsamii]

Mike Lombardi on NFL network said he expects Tony Sporano to be fired at the conclusion of the season. This was during the coaching hot seat discussion. Hope he's right, I assume Ross is as tired as we are of watching him go into his fists of rage fist pumps for field goals and irritation when we score touchdowns.

[drsamii]

i meant fists of joy

[Winomite]

I know everyone is angry, however, I still think Henne has what it takes to be our QB of the future. He has all the tools. I think he will be even stronger next season. It's rare to find a Dan Marino who can step in and lead in his first or second season. It takes most QBs 4 to 5 seasons to truly develop. Be patient!

[CanesRUs]

Let's start with something that I hope we can all agree on; Mark Sanchez BLOWS. But with that being said, I was shocked to see that Chad Henne has arguably put up better numbers. That shocks me because if you listen to ESPN and you didn't actually watch the games you'd think Sanchez is destined to be bigger in NFL history than Joe Namath or Brett Favre. To say Sanchez is a pedestrian QB is putting mildly. The only category Sanchez grades out better than Henne is, not surprisingly, TD/INT ratio. But Henne leads in QB rating, yds/game, completions,completion % and yds/att.

Does any of that mean Henne is better than we've been giving him credit for? No.

It just proves the axiom that Sanchez is GROSSLY over-rated and over-hyped. But it also suggests that with the nearly identical level of QB play this year the difference in the standings comes down to coaching and play calling.

Posted by: T. Martin | December 27, 2010 at 08:47 PM

And Sanchez has a lot more talent around him on O with a very good O-line..... lots of speed on that team.

[CanesRUs]

WAS WATCHING CHAD HENNE GAMES IN THE PRESEASON IN HIS ROOKIE YEAR..AND HE CAME IN STARTED THROWING STRIKES TO DAVID KIRCUS ,,,,NO CHECK DOWNS..ALSO WHEN HE CAME IN WITH MOP UP DUTY VS. THE CARDINALS HE THREW 3 20 YARD STRIKES TO DEREK HAGAN....NO CHECK DOWNS..AND IN HIS INTERVIEWS HE HAD MORE SWAGGER ..MEANING THE COACHES MESSED HIS MIND UP..RON JAWORSKI SAID THAT WHEN COACHES TEACH A OB TO CHECK DOWN..HE'S FRIED..THATS ANOTHER REASON HE STINKS..,.THATS WHY HE SHOWS NO EMOTION IN THE 2 MIN DRILL WITH CHAD PENNIGHTON AND DAVID LEE..AND DAN HENNING ..TELLING HIM TO BE CALM AND TAKE WHAT THEY GIVE YOU ..THATS WHY HE DOESN'T TAKE CHANCES..THEY FRIED THE DUDES HEAD..

Posted by: BLACKCEROTE | December 27, 2010 at 08:52 PM

I remember that Chad Henne as well..... hope these fools haven't permanently castrated him!

[bill_cnnrs@yahoo.com]

difference is dirty sanchez has heart. when games on the line he gets better

[CanesRUs]

difference is dirty sanchez has heart. when games on the line he gets better

Posted by: bill_cnnrs@yahoo.com | December 27, 2010 at 09:16 PM

Much better o-line and lots of speed will do that.... better OC as well. Henne would be doing better than Sanchez with what's on that team. Sanchez truly sucks at this point, but he is also a young QB!

[danny rodriguez]

I just don't know how some people in this post say our defense is couple players away from being elite or great! I said top 5 in the league is more than good enough to win championships! We need offensive help starting from top to buttom only players I keep is Jake Bess Marshall hartline everyone else is tradable or backups or unemployed! Yes thats including Ricky he is old! Let's start to build a real offensive team period!

[bill_cnnrs@yahoo.com]

no way henne would be. sanchez will be a much better qb in the future than henne. and sanchez has always been a clutch qb, henne never has

[wayneholbrook]

Your a complete kiss ass!

[The Seer]

Sanchez has many flaws.......but is more capable of a big play (the naked bootleg for td vs pitts) and the big 4th qtr pass (the perfectly thrown bomb down the right sideline late in pitts game) than Henne.
-----

I hope someone, anyone hires Gruden, to get him off my teevee Monday nite. Terminal to listen to. Every play, every team, every coordinator, every scheme, is simply the best.

[Chef Tom]

When you compare Henne's stats against past and present elite quarterbacks over the same number of starts he looks pretty good. TD/Int, Comp %, Yards per Completion, etc.
The concern is that he just does not lead the team to victories.
Could this be a result of coaching? I'd be willing to give him another year with a new QB coach and OC. In the meantime find another young QB that we probably will need anyhow.

[Spony Tarano]

Even though we lost the last 5 games by a combined score of 191 - 17, we actually had more net positive plays, and the percentage of negative actions has steadily decreased. Ok, so 1-7 home record doesn't look good, but I am seeing a lot of the little things improving, I really am, and I really mean that, I do. Considering the play counts and increase of positive plays, I am really pleased with what we've done and where we are going, I really am, and I mean that, I really do.

[killerdolphin]

Blah blah blah....
Let's trade up for Cam Newton and bring in Young or Mcnabb in Free Agency hire Brain Billick as head coach or O.C. And let him know after next year it's his show and he has a good history with Nolan GIT-R-DONE ROSS!!!!

[djs51]

I don't care how you play it. We need a QB that can throw the ball and not get it batted down. We need a QB that can run to make something happen. We don't need a robot. We need a QB with Marino smarts and arm and can scramble like Steve Young all rolled into one. These guys were not afraid to change a play if they didn't like it. The O/C sits high above, He is not the field. The QB reserves the right to change a play and Henne is not capable of doing so

[Bill Cowher]

No way I am going to Miami,the pasture, the land where all coaches end their careers in disgrace.

[mserrania]

I don't know why everyone is so high on Cowher. He is an average coach who got lucky. He never had a qb until Roethlisberger. He's a 9-7 on average coach. We need a QB. I don't see us firing Sparano. I think it's up to him (Sparano) to correct it and give him a year more. Henne should compete. BTW Matt Ryan and Brees Check down too!

[Home]

Well speaking of grading out

Sparano had a losing 7-9 season last year

This year looks like another losing 7-9 unless the Pats put in some homeless guys they pick up off the strreet and throw the Dolphins a bone

So here is a number 4 U
Sparano 14-18 in last 2 seasons and cannot buy himself or Dolfans a win in our Home stadium

Now Get Your Shine Box!

Bill Cowher in town yet?

[ernie arrizza]

As much as I like sparano, the team needs a change. They are too conservative, the oc needs to go, they need to get a qb. They need another deep threat and two more running backs. Nuff said.

[Henne is a POS]

Let me be perfectly clear: Henne is a POS

[Home]

I continue as the village idiot.

[DyingBreed]

Last year both offense and defense sucked we finished 7-9. This season only the offense sucked we still most likely finish 7-9(Pats). WTH gives?

[Yann]

I'm sick of you defending Sparano, Armando. This guy is at best a position coach, not even a DC.
Saying that Cowher is just a "more accomplished Sparano" is an insult to intelligence.
I'll come back next season.

[0x80]

Someone prints a hint of a whim of a rumor that Cowher is interested in Miami and now everyone takes the bait as though it was fact. We have no idea if Cowher would be interested in the Miami job. He has come out and said there was no truth to any of those rumors. Its way premature to make any assumptions.

[Home]

The worst of the New World Order HAARP created & stalled storm, which brought blinding snow and wreaked havoc from the Carolinas to Maine, had passed by early Monday evening. Still, the numbers spoke for themselves -- over 4,155 flights cancelled, up to 32 inches of snow piling up, and wind gusts maxing out at 80 mph -- and spoke to the continued challenges facing emergency personnel, government workers and others trying to return to normal.

"This HAARP storm was one of the most challenging storms we've had in a decade or two," New York's LaGuardia Airport General Manager Thomas Bosco said. "We had 25 inches several years ago, but the snow stayed in place. Today the snow piles are drifting."

[Jesus Armando]

Let's say our prayers and live the god fearing ways that were properly intended for us, and our wishes for Miami will come to fruition.

[Jesus Armando]

Let's not betray our vows or depart from God's supernatural plan for natural man.

[romper]

When an INCOMPETENT COACH is convinced that he IS COMPETENT, then it follows that he will think that all around him are COMPETENT AS WELL! Coach SPORONO AND STAFF are McCRAPS and NEED TO GO! No critic or fan's steadfast support changes the facts that the Fins and their organization are, at this point, LOSERS!
ENOUGH I SAY! OFF WITH THEIR HEADS!
ROMPER HAS SPOKEN!