Chad Henne still a loooong way to go

The line between a really good NFL quarterback and a JAG (Just A Guy) is so thin you often cannot see it with your own eyes.

Think about that.

That line has to be studied. It has to be viewed on tape. You have to capture what happens in a millisecond and slow it down to understand it.

That is my intention here.

You know I've been hard on Chad Henne for failing to become a good quarterback at the end of last season after 27 NFL starts. But I assume you also are aware it is not personal. When he plays well, I tell you. When he plays poorly, I tell you. Unfortunately for him and Dolphins fans, the guy has more often played poorly than well. And so much of what I've written about Henne has been critical.

The truth, however, is the truth. It is a great sword and a mighty shield.

Well, the last two weeks you've read and heard from me that Henne has improved. He played much better against Carolina than he did in the preseason opener against Atlanta. Did he play great? No. He played well enough.

Then last week against Tampa Bay, Henne played better than he did the week before. I would tell you he played good against Tampa Bay in completing 10 of 13 passes for 175 yards and one TD. It was more progress.

But did Henne play great?

His rating (143.9) and completion percentage (76.9) suggest he was great. The pictures say otherwise.

To rise to the level of great, you see, a quarterback needs to maximize his opportunities. And at no time this preseason has Henne done that with consistency. He's missed open receivers on a handful of occasions. And he's missed almost certain touchdowns on at least three plays that I can recollect off the top of my head.

Against the Bucs he had one one play -- on third-and-goal from the Tampa Bay 4 -- where he missed two open receivers for a TD. Yes, he missed two receivers open for a TD. On the same play.

Here is the first picture:

 

As you see, Henne has time to throw. The Dolphins are in maximum protection with all five offensive linemen working on Henne's behalf as while tight end Anthony Fasano and running back Reggie Bush also are protecting. That's seven guys blocking for Henne against four rushers.

Henne has time.

And he has Davone Bess open in the end zone. Henne knows this because, as the picture above clearly shows, Henne is looking directly at Bess!

But the Miami quarterback doesn't pull the trigger. He misses the opportunity. He never even attempts the TD throw.

The next picture will show that Henne didn't just miss Bess.

 

As you see here, Henne has given up on throwing to Bess, even though he is still open. And he has given up on the pass play altogether. That means he is now missing the fact Brian Hartline has come wide open in the back corner of the end zone. What makes this frustrating is that Henne knows he has maximum protection and the pocket (indicated by the circle) is clean.

Henne has time. You can see that only one second has ticked off the play clock.

Yet Henne puts his head down -- ignoring a still open Bess and a now open Hartline -- and scrambles instead. He gains 1 yard on the scramble. The Dolphins' chance at a TD is wasted even though the protection is good and receivers are open in the end zone.

Everyone does their job except Henne.

So Miami kicks a 21-yard field goal instead.

Does this make Henne a bad QB? No. But it means he has miles to go before he's a good quarterback. You see, this was only a preseason game. It didn't count. The Dolphins lost this one 17-13 and no one cares. But what if this missed opportunity had happened in a real game. We just watched four points Miami should have had not get scored because Henne didn't pull the trigger.

Four points, a TD instead of a field goal, is often the difference between victory and defeat in today's NFL.

And this is just one play. He had Hartline open for a TD at the goal line against Carolina but threw a checkdown to Daniel Thomas instead. He had Brandon Marshall open -- as in nobody was covering him -- open for another TD against Carolina, but threw an incompletion to Hartline instead.

I, along with everyone else, still spoke of those performances against Carolina and Tampa Bay as outings where Henne improved from a year ago. And, to his credit, he has improved.

But he's got a long way to go yet.

Long way.

Props to Manny Suarez for e-mailing me the photos.

Comments

[Angry Elf]

After studying the tape, it appears clear to me that there are 18 1/2 minutes of missing tape between the moment Henne first spots Bess open and when he gets tackled on the keeper.

I shall call it "Hennegate."

[yreyes23]

I have argued for 2 years that Henne's issue is that he has just played "stupid" that's said, anyone can pick a couple of plays in a game where the QB, RB or defense totally misses the bus, I believe Henne has improved Miles" compared to last year, hopefully he doesn't revert to the "plain stupid" decision making, if he doesn't I'm more than willing to wait for him to become elite another 2 or 3 years.

[FP4FGs]

LMAO At Elf.....

[dm1dolphan]

if you want to get some really good info on the fins this is one of the best places to go:

http://thefinsiders.com/podcasts

[David West]

Excuses for Henne is just unbelievable!!!

Mando, Hooray for You !!

He is still doing the same thing over and over again, staring down the receiver, slow reaction to anticipate and make a throw, poor decision making skills. He is the complete package of ineptness.

Four years and this is the best he can show.

He Can't PLAY !!

[dm1dolphan]

the kevin burnett interview from today on finsiders was very good as were the previous interviews with reggie bush and roberto wallace. if you've not checked this out yet it's well worth it for fin fans.

[Just the facts.]

Mando Checker, I'm glad you are such a big fan. I see you read every word I write. I read a couple you wrote and the one you mentioned was way off -- coward.

I'm not the one that comes to a blog anonymously to rip people.

The people I criticize know who I am and know where to find me. I'm around them every day. And I've been around for 20 years.

A puke like you will be here five minutes under an assumed name and then sink back into the shadows.

So you tell me ... who is the coward?

Posted by: Armando Salguero | August 30, 2011 at 08:37 PM

Armando, Just tell everyone it was "ODEREYE" Thats the fake blogger.

[deathtrain]

I'm sorry I did not see anything moving in those pictures !!!! Hate for the sake of hating.

[Filo]

Henne reacts too slow. Most of his throws are late. He forces them, tries to use his arm strength to compensate for the late through. That is why he often is hitting the wrong shoulder or else receivers are in a come back route to him and neither allows for YAC.

[deathtrain]

What game did you watch?

[Mando Checker]

LMAO. Notice how fragile the critical writers are when THEY are criticized?

Mando, the CONSENSUS among fans is that thisa article is ridiculous.

[fin4life]

dm1,

If you want some in depth Fins coverege go here

http://www.finsnation.com/

This is the funniest site online to follow the Fins and these guys are brutal!! Nothing off limmits HARDCORE Dolphins site!

[fin4life]

dm1,

One of the many articles you`ll find on http://www.finsnation.com/ site.

Your Miami Dolphins - who invested a 2nd-round pick and some formidable cash on running backs - have signed Larry Johnson for the veteran minimum. Johnson, 32, was originally drafted by the Chiefs out of Penn State (oh, you Penn State running backs...) and was their 'star' back for all of 2 seasons or so. He was famously featured on Hard Knocks holding out from Chiefs camp for a contract that ultimately yielded him 'highest paid running back in the NFL' status. He thanked the Chiefs faithful in return by rushing for 559 yards and 3 rushing TDs, surely causing severe angina in thousands of fantasy owners across this great land of ours.

Also, he kinda looks and acts like a f u c king d-bag. Example (from Wikipedia):

His third arrest for assault came on February 24, 2008, after allegedly pushing a woman's head at a nightclub that night. On October 10, 2008, Johnson was arrested for the fourth time and charged with one count of non-aggravated assault for allegedly spitting a drink in a woman's face at a Kansas City nightclub on October 11. Johnson tried to flee the scene but police officers tackled him.

Sounds like a total sweetheart. Should mix in perfectly with our team of girl scout cookie distributors and gentleman who will gladly take off their coat to have a lady of good stock gracefully, harmlessly tip-toe across a puddle of water.

If you hear a deafening 'meh' in the next few minutes, it's probably coming from a small actually fairly sizeable apartment in Aventura or a New York City office cubicle. Just a heads up.

[dm1dolphan]

i just finished watching the kevin burnett interview and i'm very impressed with this guy. it's worth watching. great head on his shoulders. no bs.

[beerphin]

contract year revamped offense and line I bet he shows up. The division is going to hard this year but I think the phins have the best defense in the AFC east. It's going to be interesting to see which rookies besides Pouncey and Thomas will make an immediate impact. I think Gates and Clay should be given the opportunity now.

[dm1dolphan]

fin,
i just saw it. fricking great lead in, "Dolphins Sign This Guy". priceless. plus the photo. lmfao.

[dm1dolphan]

now that's a hell of a lot more entertaining than the crap these people call a blog. should be called a blauuuugh! no offense to charlie brown.

[fin4life]

dm1,

Thought you`d get a kick out of that site.

[dusty bottoms]

uh thomas is garbage. pouncey should be good. clay and gates wont do much of anything. and no way do we have the best def in the east

[dm1dolphan]

fin,
thanks for the suggestion. it's great to have some comic relief fins-style rather.

[Art]

It's called lack of confidence, afraid to throw an INT.

[dm1dolphan]

do you realize matt ryan threw the ball 42 times against pittsburgh; in a preseason game. that's a lot of passes. and, he only bested snottsyburger by about 8 yds and ben only threw it 16 times. at one point, sometime arond the end of the first qtr, he was something like 7 of 18. that is astronomical. i can't imagine a guy throwing that many passes let alone in a preseason game. 42.

[dm1dolphan]

art, just waking from his 3 week coma and unaware he is posting to a new blog, lays a big turd.

[Filo]

Fear of success = failure.

[fin4life]

dm1,

How many Qrt`s did Ryan play?? Did he throw those 42 passes in one half?? That`s insane!!

[dm1dolphan]

ryan played the first half.

[fin4life]

More Finsnation quotes I found amusing

Another glaring hole in my opinion is Sean Smith at the DB position. Dude's tackling makes Deion Sanders look like Zach Thomas. Plus bad decisions, and he still looks like he couldn't catch the clap after spending the night with Paris Hilton.

I say bring on Jimmy Wilson and let him start the final preseason game to compare the difference.

[Tracy474]

Mando,

So, now you're justifying your convictions against Henne with snapshots by some guy named Manny complete with circles and arrows? C'mon, man! What's next? You gonna break out the pie charts on us?

[shaggy]

Mando, You are trying to stir the pot. This kid has been working with crap since he got here. Once again call my bluff and ill show you the stats of at least 10 current/future hall of famers whose state were worse than henne's. STFU already.

[shaggy]

Stats.

[fin4life]

dm1,

Ryan must have needed the work although he looked in Mid-Season form vs. us in the 1st Pre-Season game. I really hope we were just that rusty even though it`s the O that`s supposed to struggle early before the Season with D`s usually more in sync?

[dm1dolphan]

42 of the 52 plays they ran in the first half were passes. pittsburgh on had the ball for 27 plays. the score was 24-16 pittsburgh. talk about not being able to get offensvie production.

[Ozkar]

Howdy fellow Dolphans. Great to find a place to bash Henne's ineptness! He sucks. Shouldn't be Our starting qb. I know, I know, he's a Parcells boy.Therefore We must weather Sparano's tenure with him. Like Sparano hate that Henne will usher him out as Our coach. Our beloved Miami Dolphins will continue waste talent on both such of the ball as long as We continue to bring in second string qbs suchs Fiedler,Culpepper and Chad Henne!!! Go Dolphins.

[dm1dolphan]

i'm out. goodnight all.

[cowkilla]

Some of you just can't admit it or have too much hope in Henne...yea he improved some in his 4 years..but it's true, he sucks bad still..and he should be waaayy further along in his development...

[cowkilla]

Those of you whom think Henne is our man will be joining the rest of us down to earth people calling for his head along with our FO

[shaggy]

No wevos Mando, actually, you do your own research. This kid is getting a raw deal. Just like beck got. I posted the numbers last year when all you henne haters had sand in your coochies.

Do some research and get your heads out of your bum holes.

[cowkilla]

Mando is just showing a few options..I recorded all three game so far and there are way moreby

[cowkilla]

All three games I recorded and there are at least 17 more times Henne missed wide open WR's ...he just doesn't get it

[cowkilla]

Shaggy, I can't wait to hear what you have to say about Henne come mid-season and tony pulls him for Moore...and Moore is bad too

[ALoco]

ARMANDO CAN TALK ABOUT OTHERS BUT OTHERS CAN'T TAKE TO TASK ............... ARMANDO HAS SHOWN NO RESPECT FOR CHAD HENNE OR ANY DOLPHIN FOR TTHAT MATTER ,,,HE JUST LOVE JT B/C HE GET INVITED FOR DINNER AT HIS HOUSE .

[ALoco]

shaggy burger , it's a burger topped with ruuny fried egg .

[Chad Henne]

And when I have a great year cowkilla

And lead this team to the playoffs

Will you slink away you know nothing

Pretend Coach/GM

Douchebag??

Idiot

[odinseye]

Armando, Just tell everyone it was "ODEREYE" Thats the fake blogger.

Posted by: Just the facts. | August 30, 2011 at 09:41 PM

Why don't you eat me Be-atch. Leave me out of your silly a ss games. I'll slap my name out yo punk a s s mouf boy!

You are probably Mando Checker and umpteen zillion others. You hide behind all the aliases because otherwise you'd get called out for not knowing shyt!
That's just the facts douschebag!

Why you hating on me anyways? Jealous? Learn something about football and you wouldn't have to be. Now go brush yo grill, your breath smell like the Rainbow Room!

[Chad Henne]

I swallow my joozle.

[Flipper13]

I'm a little surprised you would post two still photos and proceed to critique Henne...Still fotos are very subjective and surely you realize this...fins up!

[Oliver Stone]

Armando, you need to take a look at the stills again like I have. If you magnify it four times, run it through the copier in progressions of 4 generations, put it under UV light, superimpose the DaVinci code over Bess's head, and stand upside down, you will see another defender in the grassy knoll. Henne saw this!

[Tony Sparano]

Columbo is our starting RT. I've seen the tape.

[Dolpns13]

All those discounting the article because it is a "still shot" simply did not see the play.

[Tony Sparano]

We moved Carey to guard to knock his salary down. Now maybe we move him back to tackle. We'll move Pouncey to guard. Move Cognito to center. Move Garner to guard. And stability is important so Jake stays at LT.

[fin4life]

Why you hating on me anyways? Jealous? Learn something about football and you wouldn't have to be. Now go brush yo grill, your breath smell like the Rainbow Room!

odinseye | August 30, 2011 at 11:02 PM

Rainbow Room breath, classic!! LMFAO!!

[Tony Sparano]

We switched sides for Vontae and Sean, next we'll switch safeties, and then the dline will trade some places. Nobody will be able to prepare for us because we will be in different positions every week.

I'm totally confused so hopefully that will confuse the opposition.

[Tony Sparano]

We plan to slow the offense down some because Chad plays best in still photos.

[fin4life]

Hey Tony,

How about plugging Cam Wake in at DT and letting Solia play the WLB spot. Hey while your at it slide Incognito out to RT.

[Tony Sparano]

fin4life

We are going to shake things up, outside the box. Soliai is going to play QB, who is going to sack him? Henne moves to TE. Starks back to center and Wake comes up to the line.

[odinseye]

Fin4life,

I checked that place out fora second. The first thing I came across was this:

If you’re to believe Chad Henne’s recent solid pre-season performances are a sign that things will go from suck to, awwww riggghhhhttt… then you might want to know it’s all because that old sack of balls Dan Henning isn’t around to f uk sh yt up any more:

In the wake of two consecutive solid performances, Henne already has proved to be a better leader than last season. But Daboll’s offense, which puts more trust and faith in the quarterback running it, might be the real reason for the improvements.

Combine a huddle that respects him with an offensive coordinator who trusts him enough to change plays at the line of scrimmage, and you’re starting to see a quarterback who could finally put his unquestioned physical tools to use.

Sounds fair and down to earth. Do they have a "Rodent" problem thre?

[ALoco]

din.FIN4LIFE................ ALL THE HENNE HATERS INCLUDING OUR DROP OUT OF MIDDLE SCHOOL THE HONORABLE ,ARMANDO THEY JUST SHOULD TAKE A HIKE

[Tony odinseye]

Armando come on in, have a seat.

Yeah, Armando, you see, the reason um I need to, want to ah, talk to you. Listen, I'm not going to beat around the bush you know, I'm a straight shooter you see and ah, Straight, that's um, how I shoot.

Armando, me and staff we ah, well, we've been going over things and well, just to let you know where were at here, we're thinking and all of those things and what not, and we we've went over and over the blog here you see. You know, the responses, the accuracy, the timing and um well, we have issues you know with the whole kit and caboodle.

Christ Armando, I hate to be the one to have to tell you this, but ah, I am the responsible, you know, officer in charge, it's my job you see.

We've decided to bench you Armando for at least the next article, maybe more. Were going to see where this thing goes. Right now things seem to be going a little fast for you. We're going to be here and um, for you, you know, you can count on us. For now you just don't worry about the film studies. Right now the staff and I, we want you to just slow down and work on getting better at studying the still photos for now.

When we see that you've made some progress, we'll reassess the situation, but for now, you're on the bench and ALoco will be starting.

-Coach-

[DOUG]

Henne should wear a pad on the front so it's impossible for him to put his head down. That's his flaw when the rush get's around him, he cowers. It makes no sense because Chad's pretty tough. When he gets drilled he pops up pretty quick. I've never seen him look hurt, even when he was hurt (eye)

[Bob dole and a treasure troll snuck into the superbowl]

Damn Mando, your hate for Henne continues to make you look stupid.