Henne's meeting with Daboll, Dorrell apparently violates CBA contact rules

The NFL has warned "several teams" that players are not to meet with coaches and receive playbooks during this time in the offseason, the Cleveland Plain Dealer reported over the weekend. The league has sent the Dolphins no such warning.

But perhaps it should.

That's because Chad Henne, Miami's presumed starting quarterback, told The Miami Herald today he's been meeting with new offensive coordinator Brian Daboll for the last month in preparation for player-organized workouts that would replace any offseason workouts or minicamps lost to a possible lockout or other circumstance related to the uncertain and unresolved collective bargaining contract.

Henne, apparently comfortable with the new playbook, would presumably run the offensive portion of the workouts. To be equiped for that task, Henne had to learn portions of the playbook, or at least significant portions of it. And to do that, he likely had to study the darn thing.

Regardless, even meeting with Daboll to discuss strategy and plays is apparently out of bounds, according to the Plain Dealer. And that definitely happened.

"I took some vacation time, maybe a week or two here or there, but once we signed Coach Brian Daboll, I tried to get into there as quick as I could to learn the offense," Henne told the Herald's David J. Neal. "I've been meeting with him for the last month now. I feel pretty comfortable with what he's teaching and what the offense is going to be about just in case -- who knows what's going to happen this Thursday? -- that I can pass it on to the guys and help the guys out."

Henne is quoted extensively in the story talking about the new offense and how it is quarterback friendly and a mix of the New England and New York Jets offense. The story does not make the conclusion that Henne violated any rules. It does not even consider the topic.

But I do.

According to the Plain Dealer, coaches and GMs at the NFL Scouting Combine were told by league officials that existing rules forbid meetings with coaches and the dispensing of playbooks until the official start of offseason conditioning programs on March 15. The league is saying the offseason rules were a concession to the wishes of the players union, which did not want coaches pressuring players to meet with coaches until the off-season programs kicked off, the Plain Dealer reported.

The Plain Dealer report specifically addressed meetings relative to strategy. Players and coaches are allowed to meet to discuss other matters, such as contract issues and to simply handle introductions and other business until March 3, it has been reported. 

An NFL spokesman could not immediately be reached on this matter. A message left with a Dolphins spokesman has not yet been returned.

Update: A Dolphins spokesman declined comment and added he would not even confirm that Henne had indeed met with Daboll -- although the spokesman was present today when Henne said he met with Daboll. I find that amusing for some reason.

Update 2: Whatever advantage the Dolphins gained (if any) is done because the league year ends March 3rd anyway and everyone knows and understands there is to be no contact between players and their teams after March 3rd.

Update 3: Veteran St. Louis scribe and radio host Howard Balzer passed along the portion of the NFL's clarification of the Collective Bargaining Agreement that shows the contact between Henne and Daboll to be out of bounds.

The current collective bargaining agreement, which doesn’t expire until midnight March 3, has strict rules regarding what players can do before the beginning of offseason programs. The NFL has made this clear to clubs by way of written clarification. That clarification reads:

 "Prior to the start of off-season programs, players are permitted to use the Club’s facilities on a voluntary basis subject to the following rules: (i) such players may not receive per diem payments or workout bonuses of any kind and may not be paid or reimbursed expenses for travel, board or lodging during this period; (ii) such players are not permitted to participate in organized workouts, practices or meetings of any kind; (iii) the Club’s strength and conditioning coaches may not direct such players’ individual workouts, but may supervise use of the weight room to prevent injury, correct misuse of equipment, etc.; and (iv) such players may not be directed or supervised by position coaches during this period."

Obviously, the quarterback meeting with the offensive coordinator is a meeting of some kind when the CBA clearly states meetings of any kind are out of bounds.

Balzer also tells me via e-mail that in St. Louis, quarterback Sam Bradford has not met with his new offensive coordinator for this reason.

Update 4: Henne didn't just meet with Brian Daboll. Quarterback coach Karl Dorrell was in the room also at Dolphins training camp. That is similarly a violation of the CBA. And this is not just speculation. This is straight from Henne's mouth.

Watch the video:

Comments

[Cuban Menace]

Big Deal.......................................

[DJFinfan]

Let them work until 3/3

[Cuban Menace]

What's the NFL gonna do, Take away Miami's second round pick???, Make them draft at a lower pick??, Chance's are good, They'll give there Flagship team the Patriots there 1st round pick... I mean it's almost a dispicleable as filming a team during a closed pratice... Right???

[Alex in Hialeah]

If the Plain Dealer report is correct, the Dolphins have tripped over themselves. Again.

[robin]

Bryant Gumbel was talking about the thing you said yesterday on his TV show.

[FLPD]

The NFL understands that Chad Henne needs extra work with the playbook so he can figure out which running back to throw to for a 4 yard gain on fourth-and-13 with time running out.

[Cuban Menace]

Alex, Would you expect anything else from the "Oakland Raiders" of the east?????

[0x80]

Armando, I'm sure the entire Fin's organization appreciates you making the whole world aware that they may have broken a league rule.

[Cuban Menace]

Good one FLPD,He needs it........

[Wow]

Henne can read?

[ALoco]

I SAW A PICTORE OF A BABY SAIL FISH TODAY IT IS CRAZY LOOKING

[WestTNFinFan]

Look.. The 'Intent' of the rule was to not allow team management/coaches to pressure players to do something good for the team during the players off time. It should NOT be a problem if the player volunteers to do it. Henne is trying to keep his job and wants to put in extra time to do so. Let him if he wants! The problem I see is that he was not smart enough to keep it to himself!

[Dstock21]

Yeah good job helping get the word out Armando, why not just go write for the Jets already you don't seem like much of a Dolphins guy.

[2drinkminimum]

Way to go Armando. Care to "out" the Fins to the league about anything else?

Tool.

[Cuban Menace]

Seems like the Mighty-air breathers have been in a funk since 1999....,

[DOLFANMIKE]

Well at least we know we have you helping us keep the Dolphins in line with the current NFL expectations...

High Five!

[Darryl Dunphy]

I can imagine it now...Henne to Marshall...Brandon you owe me 20 up downs every time you drop a throw....Get those knees up! whistle tweet...1. 19 more, tweet 18...

[ALoco]

THE BABY SAIL FISH IS CRAZY LOOKING WITH REAL BIG EYES AND MOUTH BUT TEENIE TINY BODY NOW I AM GOING TO LOOK FOR OTHER BABY FISH PICTORES ON THE GOOGLE

[2 watt]

aloco. google - mola mola

[Home]

Lot of secret meetings going on, why worry about a silly game that little 5 yr old kids play at the playground

Worry about the secret meetings of significance

While many people dismiss the New World Order as a conspiracy theory, it is neither a conspiracy nor a theory. It may be true there are many conspirators working within the New World Order, in it's broader application, the New World Order is really more of an agenda by a group of international elites that control and manipulate governments, industry and media organizations worldwide. Any intelligent person examining history and events occurring today cannot describe it as a theory either, rather the New World Order is clearly documented in historical documents in both the words and actions of world leaders.

World leaders are excited at the prospects for peace and there has been much talk about entering a "new era" and about the establishment of a "New World Order."

The New World Order agenda is detailed in documents from the Council of Foreign Relations, Trilateral Commission, Bilderberg Group, Club of Rome, United Nations, World Bank, and the International Monetary Fund.

U Get That, Huh?

[Cuban Menace]

Aloco, I thought you were going to work to pay for us on the blog.,Get To work young man......

[grrreatdane]

Way to go fat neck.. Throw ur team n no oc under the bus!!!

[Kris]

FLPD....LOL...LOL.....

I can't even read anybody ele's post....i'm laughing to hard.......

[Cuban Menace]

DD,what's your food cost over there in your area???,Whats your weekly sales???,The reason Iam asking is I got a eye on a little corner bar over here in NYC, It's got a transferable Liq. Lisence,a Decent menu,low replacement(no china plates etc,everythings served in baskets) just wondering what I might be getting myself into....

[ALoco]

2 WAT THAT IS VERY SCAREY IT IS LIKE EATED IN HALF!! CUBAN I HAVE WORK AT DIFERENT TIME TODAY TO PAY FOR ALL THE PEOPLE HERE THAT DONT WORK AND SIT IN THERE CHAIRS

[Kris]

Of course he BROKE THE RULES!!!!!

So is most of the NFL players and coaches......

Whats Henne's wonderlic score???? Geesh

[Cuban Menace]

Home, What's thew over under on phins wins this upcoming season(According tto the NWO)???????

[notamediafan]

Great job hometown whistle blower go work somewhere else!

[Ash Patel]

Only you would start s***

[Mike]

"(ii) such players are not permitted to participate in organized workouts, practices or meetings of any kind;"

Key word being "organized"

Geez you people blow so much out of proportion......let it go....

[mags]

For gods sake, so what if it was against an NFL mandate, who's side are you on Armando!!!

[oscar canosa]

The Plain Dealer is apparently very plain. Who on Earth can stop a ballplayer from meeting with his Coaches and other things? It is most obvious that we must keep our feet in the Ground.

[Hayden Fox]

You did not know that the drop dead time was March 4th midnight?

By the way, I like how you killed a Twitter follower for liking Mark Ingram. You thought the guy was slow? LOL.

How many RB's are running 40 yards? Look at his splits.

You are losing it as a reporter.

[ted]

We're already over two years into the Obama presidency (which means it's either 50% or 25% over depending on his reelection).

Any chance you can provide a timetable for this nefarious "global slavery plan" he is spearheading? Seems like he might want to get moving on such a big undertaking with such limited time to do so.

Then again, the truth of the matter is that this brain-dead crap is from the same school of delusional rantings that gave us the "death panels," "Obama is a Marxist," and that General Motors was just the beginning of a massive federal takeover of private industry.

One World Government? Quite the OPPOSITE is happening across much of the world at the moment, with one authoritarian regime after the other succumbing to public protest.

But don't let those pesky things known as facts deter your quest for lunacy.

[Lee]

I agree with an earlier poster, who stressed the intent of the rule. Plus, I think you have to look at the word "organized," which I think insinuates an activity initiated by the organization. Therefore, Henne initiating a meeting with Daboll would not be an "organized meeting."

[WestTNFinFan]

Organized meeting is the proper interpretation..

If this is ad-hoc then there is no problem.. BTW, splitting hairs can hurt in many ways!

[Darryl Dunphy]

Cuban I am just finishing the month of Feb.. The winter months are nothing like the summer months. The food cost in the winter is a little higher because I have to buy more frozen stuff(I hate it). In the summer everything is fresh, and local= cheaper, better quality. My advice, everything from scratch when you can.

As far as weekly stuff, In the heart of the Summer the kitchen averages about 12 to 14 k a week in Gross sales. THis includes liquor sales in that till. The Bar averages about 7-10 k a week in gross sales.

Now during the slow time I suffer, For Feb we averaged 5 k a week in la cocina y 3.5 para los cantina. Not great, but keeps the bills paid.

I run a higher food cost then you would probably want. I can justify this because in the summer, I do most of the work, and the payroll is lower. We work at about 27 percent. But that is without payroll cost, which some employers add to the total cost. The pour cost is good it is about 22 percent. Anything over 30 and your in trouble foos wise. For liquor in a big city where you can charge more. 20 percent is a good start...Different in a middle of nowhere town, I can't charge city prices, plus I have to drive 3 hours(round trip)each week to pick up liquor...

If you have anymore questions I would be glad to help.. I have learned a lot in the last 6 years since I bought the place. Could have some sound advice.

[DyingBreed]

Armando,

Why the hell is the Miami media "SNITCHING" out it's own team?

Geesh, you guys dont care who you have to throw underneath the bus to get a story. Are the Miami media "really" Dolphin fans?

Let the NFL police do it's own dirty work. I'll bet they wished all of thier busts could be so easy!

[Omar Kooky and Mike Brerapenisface]

So Dolphins don't follow the rules and some of you blame the messenger. Ignorant Dolphins fans really do suck.

Mando, you should ban all the ignorant turds from your blog. Have them come to my blog where ignorance is bliss.

Douches!

[falafel]

(ii) such players are not permitted to participate in organized workouts, practices or meetings of any kind

Maybe this can fall into a Belicheat like category of misinterpreting the rules.

Dolphins: "Oh, I thought it stated 'organized meetings' and these meetings between OC and QB were off the cuff."

[Cuban Menace]

A "Oranized"(Or a meeting of the minds) Meeting beween Daboll and Henne would last about 15 seconds........ IMHO..No rule broken here, move along.........

[Finheavenblows!]

Thanks for the information, Mando. Reason I come here. Nothing taboo.

[Jet Fans Blow]

Another worthless blog by South Florida's #1 Jets fan..

[dishpan]

Bears released Tommie Harris. PICK HIM UP

[Darryl Dunphy]

Cuban..one more thing. If you are to get into the bar buisness. Find trust worthy bartenders. This is almost as difficult as finding a franchise quarterback. Crooked bartenders will steal you blind, and give away your booze for favorable tips. Make sure you can be at your new place 10-12 hours a day the first year. Everyone wants to know, and meet the owner. It makes them feel good, and is great P.R.

[ALoco]

NOW I SAW THE PICTORE OF A BABY SORDFISH AND A BABY MARLIN AND 2 MORE BABY SAIL FISHES AND THEY ARE ALL CRAZY LOOKING. WHERE DO THE BABY FISH LIVE I WANT TO PUT SOME IN THE AQURARUM

[Freezin' in NY]

Why are you trying to bring attention to something that throws the Dolphins under the bus? Keep talking about it Mando so it stays fresh in the NFL's mind, so that we can get some kind of punishment for it. Hey maybe even lose a draft pick. That would be just what we need.

[Eric]

Hayden Fox you're an idiot. Players and coaches can't meet before or after March 3rd.

[Cuban Menace]

DD, Sale's helps everything, From Food cost to labor, The place Iam looking at has a avg of 45 Gs in sales a week with 30% liqour sales, food cost runs around 30% labor around 15.5%, the only problem is the building and equipment is horrendous, I think the MTC is around 4.5% the past 6 months,the bottom line is 3.5%,Which is a little below aveage from what Iam told...But to get out of what I'am doing now I'd take the hit.............

[bill connors]

lucky there wont be any football this year, this team would have been terrible

[dan]

Aloco, you have considered that the baby swordfish, marlin, and sailfish would quickly outgrow an aquarium (not to mention probably die before that), right?

[Cuban Menace]

LOL @ Mr. Connors............

[BoulderFinFan]

Mando you problem is you read the plain reader. Who cares what some little paper in clevland writes. Or some little paper in miami for that matter.

[BoulderPhinFan]

I say we boycott Mando's blog. Since he only writes a blog once every 2 weeks it should be easy

[bill connors]

only thing bad with not having a season this year is it means we will have to at some point go through one more year with sparano and henne

[ray]

That's the QB we have a dumb a s s that first doesn't know the rule book either!! LMAO man I hope we get rid of that clown! Even if he did why even talk to the media about it what a moron!! LOL!!

[Darryl Dunphy]

Cuban...Nothing like being your own boss.. It is a fun buisness sometimes. Good luck. Like I said if you move forward and have any questions I would be happy to offer up any advice, or suggestions. Equipment gets expensive, especially kitchen stuff. There are always auctions every spring that you can find great stuff. Bars, and restaraunts are always closing. This is a good way to cut cost, and get quality equipment. As far as the food cost...seriously the more you make in house, the more it equates to profit. Anything pre packaged, or frozen is expensive, and the quality poor.

[BoulderPhinFan]

right like no other team that just got a new OC hasnt given the QB the new play book. Give me a break.
The reason bradford and mcdaniels haven't met is because mcdaniels wasn't around the rams facility for the last few weeks.

[ALoco]

DAN I HAVE HAD MANY FISHES IN THE AQURARUM AND ONLY SOME DIED WHEN THEY WERE BABYS. ((ALSO)) I THINK THE SORDFISH AND MARLIN WONT GET BIG IN AN AQURERUM BECAUSE THEY CANT SWIM TO FAR AND EAT LESS. I DO NOT KNOW IF THEY ARE EXPENSIVE TO BUY?

[Randy S]

"Prior to the start of off-season programs, players are permitted to use the Club’s facilities on a voluntary basis subject to the following rules:"

"Perhaps", they didn't meet at the Club's facilities!! If not, what's the issue?