The Dolphins performance against the Texans brought out the intense emotions of Miami fans from around country. The once proud Dolphins are finding it increasingly difficult to regain the fire that has made them one of the most beloved franchises in the NFL. The Ownership hoped giving away some ten thousand tickets would fill the stadium and bring back the home field advantage, but it was not to be.
History has shown the key to long-term success in the NFL comes from leadership at the QB position. Take QB out of the equation and parity in the NFL becomes apparent. There are athletes at some positions playing a higher level, but for the most part, talent in the league is associated with winning. Players on teams that go to the playoffs see their value rise, while players on teams with losing records lose value unless they are among the few elites. The pattern repeats at the franchise level.
Teams like Baltimore with Trent Dilfer or Tampa Bay with Brad Johnson went on to Superbowl victories, and the reason came from uncommon leadership. Ray Lewis brought swagger to the Ravens, while Derrick Brookes and Warren Sapp led a dominate Bucs defense. Yet even those two teams could not sustain success because they lacked leadership at QB.
There is no need to waste space listing the number of great teams associated with great QBs, just as there is no need for the reams of paper needed to list the bad teams associated with bad QBs. This is not rocket science, leadership in the NFL revolves around the QB, and it is what differentiates bad, good, and great. In the few instances where this has not held true there have been rare leaders at other positions.
With leadership comes identity, with leadership comes a common thread, a rallying point; this is missing on the Miami Dolphins. The players on this team do not believe in the person they all know is the key to their success and not one charismatic player can make up for that missing ingredient. A coach with a flamboyant personality can bring a team close, but he too will fail in the end.
There is no need to single out a culprit or criticize an individual, it is a simple fact, either the team has the player or they do not. Time does not make these men. Coaching and learning can bring about greatness in players who have the gift of leadership, but it is not something that matures with age or is a fabrication of psychology. The will to win is inside the person, they have it or they do not.
On the football field, it relates to scoring, finding a way to get the ball to right guy amid the chaos and pressure that would stifle those without the gift. This is the reason we are willing to go to games and pay the exorbitant prices. We go to see the gift, the brilliance in someone else; we do not have in ourselves.
An owner who believes he can buy fans into a stadium to witness the orange carpet laid out for celebrities has completely missed the point. Football fans show up when they can witness the fire in Dan Marino’s eyes and know he is about to march his team, against all odds, down the field and beat the other team. The heart and soul of a football team is the guy behind the center who the fans and the players believe can raise them to victory.
If a player does not show this gift early, the chances of him ever showing it are slim. When a team continues to flounder, unaware of what seems obvious, then the fans lose faith. No celebrities, no giveaways and probably not even a coach can make up for a team without a leader at the critical position. Looking in any other direction is either not understanding the game or being unwilling to accept what is apparent.
This is the NFL. This is the reason fans go to games. Watch enviously as Sports Center shows Tom Brady from every imaginable angle and remember when it was Dan Marino. Maybe that will give Miami a clue as to why they are slowly losing one of the most loyal fan bases in the NFL.
Keep Drafting a QB until the true leader shows up. It will not take four years to figure it out… The gift is apparent from the beginning.
Those who aspire to become great coaches may appreciate information on sports
psychology programs.
Showing posts with label QB. Show all posts
Showing posts with label QB. Show all posts
Matt Moore To The Miami Dolphins? That Better Not Be The Case
Recently I have heard a few rumors/suggestions connecting Panthers QB Matt Moore to the Miami Dolphins.
I just wanted to come here and say that I think bringing in Moore would be a very bad idea. He has not exactly had a great NFL career so far with 16 touchdowns, 17 interceptions, and 2640 yards from 392 attempts. Sure his numbers aren't awful, but I don't want him to be the quarterback that Miami brings in to compete with Chad Henne.
I will say that I wouldn't mind the Dolphins obtaining him to be a 3rd stringer. I believe that he could be a good backup, just not a starter.
The starting QB that Miami should bring in should be someone more like Kyle Orton or Vince Young. Those players have a good bit of upside and potential. In my mind, Moore's potential is very similar to that of Chad Henne's: limited. Neither player strikes me as anything great.
Stephen Ross needs to be ready to open up his pockets for a big quarterback if he ever wants to put a good "product" on the field. If he really wants to make money, he needs to put together a winning team by spending money, not saving it.
We'll see what he does. Let me know what you guys think about Moore. Thanks for reading.
I just wanted to come here and say that I think bringing in Moore would be a very bad idea. He has not exactly had a great NFL career so far with 16 touchdowns, 17 interceptions, and 2640 yards from 392 attempts. Sure his numbers aren't awful, but I don't want him to be the quarterback that Miami brings in to compete with Chad Henne.
I will say that I wouldn't mind the Dolphins obtaining him to be a 3rd stringer. I believe that he could be a good backup, just not a starter.
The starting QB that Miami should bring in should be someone more like Kyle Orton or Vince Young. Those players have a good bit of upside and potential. In my mind, Moore's potential is very similar to that of Chad Henne's: limited. Neither player strikes me as anything great.
Stephen Ross needs to be ready to open up his pockets for a big quarterback if he ever wants to put a good "product" on the field. If he really wants to make money, he needs to put together a winning team by spending money, not saving it.
We'll see what he does. Let me know what you guys think about Moore. Thanks for reading.
Are The Miami Dolphins One Or Two Players Away From Being A Top-Tier Team?
First, I want to take a moment to thank all of our veterans who are currently serving or have ever served in any branch of the military. Thank you for all you have sacrificed for this country.
I also want to take a moment to remember all of our fallen veterans who bravely gave their lives in service of the United States. You will never be forgotten for what you did.
As you all know, the Miami Dolphins have a great defense and a good number of playmakers on offense. They are a very talented team, and I believe that the overall talent of all of the Dolphins players is much greater than that of a 7-9 team, which is why it is so frustrating to see them losing.
The above statement brings me to my question. Are the Miami Dolphins just a player or two away from being a top team in the NFL?
I do believe they are. Miami's defense is obviously one of the best in the league, so I won't even bother spending time discussing that group. The problem is on offense.
Now that the Dolphins added a great interior offensive lineman in Mike Pouncey and a potentially great running back in Daniel Thomas, they don't have too many holes to fill. I can really only think of three positions that I would like Miami to add a capable player to. Those three positions are quarterback, running back, and offensive guard.
I don't believe that any of those three positions are a huge concern, but it would still be a good idea to address them.
I don't see running back being a big concern because if Daniel Thomas was worth trading up to draft like the Dolphins did, then why not let him be the starter and the other more than capable backs on Miami's roster compete behind him. Kory Sheets and Lex Hilliard are very underestimated running backs, and I am excited at the thought of those two competing for a spot as a contributing running back.
Guard also isn't a big concern because Miami drafted C/G Pouncey with the 15th overall pick. I would still like to see another guard added to the roster to create some more competition, which is why I am including this position here.
The last is quarterback, and I am not going to describe that any more because I feel like Chad Henne and the QB dilemma has been 90% of the discussion this season. I will just say that I don't think that Henne will ever be able to carry the team, but I do think he has the potential to at least be a game manager. I would rather Miami not take the risk of relying on him, which is why I would like them to get a good free agent to compete for the job.
I want to know what you guys think. Do the Dolphins need one, two, three, or more players before they are a top team? Let me know in the comments below.
Thanks for reading, and I apologize for not posting yesterday. I had my third migraine in as many weeks and couldn't do anything yet again.
I also want to take a moment to remember all of our fallen veterans who bravely gave their lives in service of the United States. You will never be forgotten for what you did.
As you all know, the Miami Dolphins have a great defense and a good number of playmakers on offense. They are a very talented team, and I believe that the overall talent of all of the Dolphins players is much greater than that of a 7-9 team, which is why it is so frustrating to see them losing.
The above statement brings me to my question. Are the Miami Dolphins just a player or two away from being a top team in the NFL?
I do believe they are. Miami's defense is obviously one of the best in the league, so I won't even bother spending time discussing that group. The problem is on offense.
Now that the Dolphins added a great interior offensive lineman in Mike Pouncey and a potentially great running back in Daniel Thomas, they don't have too many holes to fill. I can really only think of three positions that I would like Miami to add a capable player to. Those three positions are quarterback, running back, and offensive guard.
I don't believe that any of those three positions are a huge concern, but it would still be a good idea to address them.
I don't see running back being a big concern because if Daniel Thomas was worth trading up to draft like the Dolphins did, then why not let him be the starter and the other more than capable backs on Miami's roster compete behind him. Kory Sheets and Lex Hilliard are very underestimated running backs, and I am excited at the thought of those two competing for a spot as a contributing running back.
Guard also isn't a big concern because Miami drafted C/G Pouncey with the 15th overall pick. I would still like to see another guard added to the roster to create some more competition, which is why I am including this position here.
The last is quarterback, and I am not going to describe that any more because I feel like Chad Henne and the QB dilemma has been 90% of the discussion this season. I will just say that I don't think that Henne will ever be able to carry the team, but I do think he has the potential to at least be a game manager. I would rather Miami not take the risk of relying on him, which is why I would like them to get a good free agent to compete for the job.
I want to know what you guys think. Do the Dolphins need one, two, three, or more players before they are a top team? Let me know in the comments below.
Thanks for reading, and I apologize for not posting yesterday. I had my third migraine in as many weeks and couldn't do anything yet again.
Why Not Vince Young For The Miami Dolphins?
I am continuing the discussion from yesterday about the QBs available to the Miami Dolphins.
One name that I saw you guys liked and I agree with was Vince Young.
Sure, he has concerns about how well he can work with a coach, but if he came to Miami he wouldn't even be guaranteed a starting spot. That would be a good thing because he would have to compete with Chad Henne and work his way into starting. If he ends up not listening well enough, then he just won't start without much harm done.
Young would also come with a pretty cheap price tag because he isn't exactly the hottest QB on the market right now. He is a free agent, so Miami doesn't even need to give up draft picks to trade for him. Other quarterbacks like Kevin Kolb and Kyle Orton would require trading a very high draft pick, and then they would want more money than Young.
Young allows the Dolphins to not put all of their eggs in one basket, and there aren't any available quarterbacks with the potential to be as dynamic as him that are as low risk.
Bringing in Young would also satisfy those of us who think Henne deserves another chance. This way he would get some competition and not be completely eliminated from the running for the starting spot.
Omar Kelly of the Sun Sentinel brought up a good question a few days ago, which was this: which available quarterback would put the most fear into the hearts of the Jets and Patriots, and which quarterback would be the hardest to gameplan for?
I believe Vince Young is the best answer to that question. He is a dynamic player similar to Michael Vick in that he can take off and run for a big gain at any time.
Young actually has a winning record as a starter. He hasn't even been that bad in the NFL. He hasn't been incredible, but he has still done pretty well.
I want to know what you guys think. Young could be a dynamic player that could still end up being a really good NFL quarterback.
Thanks for reading.
One name that I saw you guys liked and I agree with was Vince Young.
Sure, he has concerns about how well he can work with a coach, but if he came to Miami he wouldn't even be guaranteed a starting spot. That would be a good thing because he would have to compete with Chad Henne and work his way into starting. If he ends up not listening well enough, then he just won't start without much harm done.
Young would also come with a pretty cheap price tag because he isn't exactly the hottest QB on the market right now. He is a free agent, so Miami doesn't even need to give up draft picks to trade for him. Other quarterbacks like Kevin Kolb and Kyle Orton would require trading a very high draft pick, and then they would want more money than Young.
Young allows the Dolphins to not put all of their eggs in one basket, and there aren't any available quarterbacks with the potential to be as dynamic as him that are as low risk.
Bringing in Young would also satisfy those of us who think Henne deserves another chance. This way he would get some competition and not be completely eliminated from the running for the starting spot.
Omar Kelly of the Sun Sentinel brought up a good question a few days ago, which was this: which available quarterback would put the most fear into the hearts of the Jets and Patriots, and which quarterback would be the hardest to gameplan for?
I believe Vince Young is the best answer to that question. He is a dynamic player similar to Michael Vick in that he can take off and run for a big gain at any time.
Young actually has a winning record as a starter. He hasn't even been that bad in the NFL. He hasn't been incredible, but he has still done pretty well.
I want to know what you guys think. Young could be a dynamic player that could still end up being a really good NFL quarterback.
Thanks for reading.
You Tell Me: Which Available QB Do You Want Most For The Miami Dolphins?
Contrary to what I am sure is popular belief, I am not boycotting writing about the Miami Dolphins due to some of their recent boneheaded moves.
I am sorry for not posting in the past two days. I have been experiencing technical issues that have not allowed me to post using my laptop. Those issues have been fixed, though, so I am back and ready for some good discussion on this beautiful Mothers Day.
I am not sure how many mothers we have that come to Dolphin Shout, but if you are a mother please be sure to leave a comment below so we can shower you with praise for all of your hard work, because you deserve it.
Now, for the first "You Tell Me" in a good while: what QB do you want the Miami Dolphins to sign or trade for the most out of the available prospects, or do you want Miami to stick with Chad Henne?
I will list out some of the main prospects for your consideration, and then I am excited to hear your reactions.
1. Vince Young - Very dynamic player, but has some leadership and/or character issues that could pose a problem.
2. Donovan McNabb - 34 years old and coming off of a poor year. In his prime he was a great QB in the NFL.
3. Kevin Kolb - Pretty young QB with a good bit of upside. He would probably take a first round draft pick to get, though.
4. Carson Palmer - 31 years old, but appears to have a good number of years left in the tank. Could fill in nicely until Miami finds a younger guy.
5. Kyle Orton - 28 and can put up some very big numbers. Might be a bit of a challenge to get him from Denver.
Those are just the prospects that I can think of that the Dolphins would actually consider getting. Let me know if you would like Miami to go after any of them or if you would just rather they stick with Chad Henne.
Thanks for reading, and let me hear it.
I am sorry for not posting in the past two days. I have been experiencing technical issues that have not allowed me to post using my laptop. Those issues have been fixed, though, so I am back and ready for some good discussion on this beautiful Mothers Day.
I am not sure how many mothers we have that come to Dolphin Shout, but if you are a mother please be sure to leave a comment below so we can shower you with praise for all of your hard work, because you deserve it.
Now, for the first "You Tell Me" in a good while: what QB do you want the Miami Dolphins to sign or trade for the most out of the available prospects, or do you want Miami to stick with Chad Henne?
I will list out some of the main prospects for your consideration, and then I am excited to hear your reactions.
1. Vince Young - Very dynamic player, but has some leadership and/or character issues that could pose a problem.
2. Donovan McNabb - 34 years old and coming off of a poor year. In his prime he was a great QB in the NFL.
3. Kevin Kolb - Pretty young QB with a good bit of upside. He would probably take a first round draft pick to get, though.
4. Carson Palmer - 31 years old, but appears to have a good number of years left in the tank. Could fill in nicely until Miami finds a younger guy.
5. Kyle Orton - 28 and can put up some very big numbers. Might be a bit of a challenge to get him from Denver.
Those are just the prospects that I can think of that the Dolphins would actually consider getting. Let me know if you would like Miami to go after any of them or if you would just rather they stick with Chad Henne.
Thanks for reading, and let me hear it.
You Tell Me: Carson Palmer Or Chad Henne For The Miami Dolphins?
I hope this never happens for the Miami Dolphins, but it is possible so I have to consider the possibility.
A few days ago the Miami Herald suggested Carson Palmer as a possible quarterback replacement for Chad Henne and the Dolphins next season.
My question to you guys is who would you rather: Chad Henne or Carson Palmer for the Miami Dolphins?
I am hoping that it never comes down to this, but it is possible so I want to know who you guys would rather see if these two were the only options.
I like to avoid putting my opinion in the post of a "You Tell Me," but I have to say this. I think it would be a huge mistake to get Carson Palmer. Palmer is fading and would only be a short-term replacement like Chad Pennington.
At least with Chad Henne he has time to improve and develop. Palmer wouldn't get any better. He would just grow older, and that's not what we want. I'm tired of these quick fixes to a major problem. Either Miami stays committed to Henne or they find another young quarterback to develop. Bringing in an old veteran won't help at all.
Now let me know what you think with your comment below. Thanks for reading, and I look forward to a good debate.
A few days ago the Miami Herald suggested Carson Palmer as a possible quarterback replacement for Chad Henne and the Dolphins next season.
My question to you guys is who would you rather: Chad Henne or Carson Palmer for the Miami Dolphins?
I am hoping that it never comes down to this, but it is possible so I want to know who you guys would rather see if these two were the only options.
I like to avoid putting my opinion in the post of a "You Tell Me," but I have to say this. I think it would be a huge mistake to get Carson Palmer. Palmer is fading and would only be a short-term replacement like Chad Pennington.
At least with Chad Henne he has time to improve and develop. Palmer wouldn't get any better. He would just grow older, and that's not what we want. I'm tired of these quick fixes to a major problem. Either Miami stays committed to Henne or they find another young quarterback to develop. Bringing in an old veteran won't help at all.
Now let me know what you think with your comment below. Thanks for reading, and I look forward to a good debate.
Why Do Some Miami Dolphins Fans Still Cling To Chad Henne?
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The thing is, there are a small percentage of Dolphins fans that still cling to Chad Henne and still believe he should be starting. I am not sure why, honestly, but they act surprised when people say that Henne should be benched or cut.
Well, my question is: Why shouldn't he be cut? Why would the Dolphins still start him? He has not improved one bit in the two years Miami has had him as their starter. If anything, you could make a case for his regression from the first season to the second. He may have thrown for three more touchdowns in his second season than he did his first, but he also threw five more interceptions.
In the last two seasons, Henne has thrown more picks than TDs. Why would anyone still believe in that?
Brandon Marshall, who has been around good quarterbacks before, started complaining late in the season about Henne, and I don't blame him. Too many times, Henne would be afraid to let the ball fly or he would audible what was originally a passing play into a running one. Good quarterbacks want the ball in their hands. They don't audible into a run so they don't have to throw it.
This article is a combination of me saying my point, and then you guys countering with yours (whether you agree with me or not). So please, leave a comment with your own point and we can begin a discussion.
I hope to hear from you soon.
Thanks for reading.
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Should The Miami Dolphins Pursue DeAngelo Williams?
The Miami Dolphins will most likely be looking for a new running back this offseason because it is doubtful that both Ricky Williams and Ronnie Brown will return, and it is also possible that neither will be a Dolphin next year.
So, the Dolphins will have to look to either the draft or free agency to find a new starting running back.
ESPN Draft Expert Mel Kiper has Miami picking running back Mark Ingram with their 15th overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. While that wouldn't be a bad pick for the Dolphins, it isn't the best thing that Miami could do.
What they should do instead is sign pending free agent RB DeAngelo Williams as soon as a new CBA is reached. Williams had a bad season with the Panthers this year, and it is likely that the Panthers won't resign him. So, when the Panthers elect not to re-sign Williams the Dolphins must try and pursue him.
Williams' speed is exactly what Dolphins GM Jeff Ireland claims to be looking for, and Miami would be foolish not to go after him as soon as he is available. The Dolphins lacked breakaway speed this year from R&R, and DeAngelo Williams has that breakaway speed.
If the Dolphins can sign him and retain either Ricky or Ronnie, then we could have an extremely good rushing offense next season. That will, in turn, help take some of the pressure off of whatever young quarterback Miami ends up starting.
Signing Williams will also be beneficial to the Dolphins because it will free up their first-round pick and they will be able to pursue a quarterback instead. I know that Mark Ingram is a really good prospect with a lot of potential, but why not just pick up an experienced running back with a lot of talent instead and then use the pick that they would have used for Ingram to fix another problem on the offense?
As long as we don't have to worry about the running back position in the draft I will be happy. There will be other free agents available, and I wouldn't mind Miami going after one of them instead, but I think Williams is the best candidate for the job.
Hopefully, Jeff Ireland and Tony Sparano do pursue Williams. He would help the team instantly in more ways than one.
Thanks for reading, and let me hear your reactions.
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Multiple Mock Drafts Have The Miami Dolphins Drafting Mark Ingram, But Should They?
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| Please Tony, Draft Ryan Mallett |
I have been stressing for a few weeks now that the Dolphins need to take a quarterback with their first pick, and I still believe that to be the case. Mel Kiper may be the most informed and intelligent person in the country when it comes to the NFL Draft, but he doesn't know as much about the Miami Dolphins, specifically, which is why I think he is wrong that the Dolphins will get Ingram.
All Kiper sees are Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams leaving, so he figures they should worry about replacing them first. What he may not realize is how much Chad Henne has hurt Miami this year. It is much more crucial for the Dolphins to draft or trade for a quarterback with their first pick. By trading for a quarterback with their first pick, I mean trading the pick to a team like the Eagles for Kevin Kolb.
There will always be good running back talent with high potential available later in the draft, but that isn't normally the case at quarterback. Almost always, the good quarterbacks with the best potential will be taken in the first round, and the Dolphins need to make sure they pick up one of those guys.
My clear favorite candidate of the quarterbacks in this year's NFL Draft is Arkansas QB Ryan Mallett. I would rather Mallett over both Cam Newton and Blaine Gabbert. I know many of you will disagree with me on that one, but I am confident that Mallett will be the best NFL quarterback of this draft class.
The reason I would take Mallett over Gabbert is that Gabbert has been in a spread offense in college, and successful spread offense quarterbacks almost never translate into successful NFL quarterbacks.
I would take Mallett over Newton because Newton had to rely too much on his feet in college, which he won't be able to do in the NFL. I understand that he is still a good passer, but I fear that the temptation to run will be too much for him to avoid. NFL athletes are much, much faster and stronger than NCAA athletes, and Newton won't be able to be nearly as explosive because of that. I also just don't get a good feeling about him in the NFL. I know that he is supremely talented, but for some reason I just don't see him doing well in the NFL.
As for Mallett, I think he will be the best QB of this class because of his big arm and intensity. Mallett can make every pass in the NFL that he will ever need to make, hands down. He can make extremely tough passes with immaculate accuracy and make it look easy. He is also an extremely passionate and fiery competitor. His footwork needs improvement, and his decision-making isn't always the best because he is a little too confident in his arm, which is why he is considered #3 in the Draft, but I still think he is better than Newton and Gabbert despite his weaknesses.
As you guys can tell, I love Mallett, and I am thinking that he deserves to be ranked higher than he is. It would be a huge mistake for the Miami Dolphins to pass up him for Ingram with the 15th pick. Not that Ingram isn't a great running back, but I think Miami needs to worry about their quarterback first.
Thanks for reading, and tell me who you think Miami should get as well as your reaction to what I have said, because I know a lot of other people think differently.
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Stephen Ross Wants A New Offense For The Miami Dolphins, But First He Needs A Quarterback
"I’ve told Tony that, to me, I want an aggressive, creative offense, not playing just to keep it close, where people really are a little more unpredictable. So, I think I look for a different brand, seeing the Dolphins how fans want to see it, and how we win, going downfield, in the days of Dan Marino, the days we all want to go back to."
That is easier said than done, Mr. Ross.
Sure, we would all like an offense like that, but you have to have a quarterback who is capable of running it first. The majority of us agree that Chad Henne is not that quarterback. I know there are a few Henne believers out there, and I am sorry to tell you, but he just isn't the guy for the Dolphins. I would be shocked if he ever played another down in Miami as the starter. He may be a backup, but not the full-time starter.
What I am saying, though, is that if Stephen Ross wants to have an offense like that, then he needs to find a good-enough quarterback for that offense, and thankfully, there are going to be a lot of good quarterbacks available this offseason.
If Ross wants to look into either free agents or players that will be available to trade for, then he will have players like Kyle Orton, Kevin Kolb, and Vince Young available.
I would prefer Orton over the other two, because he puts up great numbers without a lot of interceptions. The Broncos benched him after two bad games, but before those games he was putting up great numbers almost every week.
I wouldn't mind Miami getting either Kolb or Young, though. Kolb might not be my first choice, but the Eagles still trusted him enough to get rid of Donovan McNabb, so he can't be that bad.
Young is somewhat of a wild-card. He could turn out to be Michael Vick-esque, or he could just do the same thing he did in Tennessee: nothing special. I could actually see Vince Young playing for Miami, though, and I wouldn't be surprised if Stephen Ross pursues him.
There is also the NFL Draft, and I am not sure whether Ross is willing to trade up to get a better draft pick or not. If he doesn't trade, some candidates that might be available are Ryan Mallet of Arkansas and Jake Locker of Washington. Mallett could possibly go before Miami has a chance to get him, but there is still a good chance the Dolphins will have a shot at drafting him.
Mallett is my favorite quarterback in the draft or free agency. He stands tall at 6-6, and he has the fire and intensity that you need to see in a quarterback. He also has an insane ability to fit a ball into tight coverage perfectly where only the receiver can get it.
A kid like Mallett has off-the-charts potential because of his fire and drive, and that is the type of player I want playing for the Miami Dolphins. He has been known to choke in late-game situation, which is why he isn't the top quarterback, but if you can get him with NFL coaches that teach him how to keep his composure, then he should be able to get over his late-game problems.
I don't know too much about Jake Locker yet. All I know is that he is a great athlete with a really good skill set who suffers from poor decision making. He is also extremely tough and a great leader. Just last year he was considered one of the best QB prospects in the draft, but has fallen this year after returning to college as a senior and having a bad year. I think the Dolphins could take a risk on Locker and see it pay off, but they better be ready to teach him a lot to improve his decision making.
Those are some of the main candidates for the quarterback job now, and please, to anybody who still thinks that Henne is the man, just give up on him already. He isn't accurate enough and doesn't make good enough decisions to be an NFL quarterback. It took me a while to realize, but I finally did after the Cleveland game. Now it's your turn.
Thanks for reading, and let me know what you think about these prospects and other potential ones the Miami Dolphins might be able to get.
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You Tell Me: Should The Miami Dolphins Draft A New QB, Trade For A New QB, Or Keep Chad Henne?
I am starting a new series on Dolphin Shout. It will be called "You Tell Me", and after today's post I will move it to every Tuesday.
All I am going to do is ask a question, and I want to hear your reaction with a comment. I did a "You Tell Me" post recently, and the reaction was more than any other article I have ever written, so I am going to do it more often.
The key to "You Tell Me" is that I don't post my own opinion in the article. That is because I don't want to influence what you say. I want to hear what you have to say, and then I will react to your comments with comments of my own.
So, without further ado, here is today's "You Tell Me":
What should the Miami Dolphins do with their quarterback situation?
Should they keep Chad Henne, trade for a new one, or draft one in the 2011 Draft?
Also, what do you think the Dolphins will actually do? We can talk all we want, but it will come down to what Miami actually does.
So, let me hear it. I will be reading every comment, and I will be adding my input whenever necessary.
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All I am going to do is ask a question, and I want to hear your reaction with a comment. I did a "You Tell Me" post recently, and the reaction was more than any other article I have ever written, so I am going to do it more often.
The key to "You Tell Me" is that I don't post my own opinion in the article. That is because I don't want to influence what you say. I want to hear what you have to say, and then I will react to your comments with comments of my own.
So, without further ado, here is today's "You Tell Me":
What should the Miami Dolphins do with their quarterback situation?
Should they keep Chad Henne, trade for a new one, or draft one in the 2011 Draft?
Also, what do you think the Dolphins will actually do? We can talk all we want, but it will come down to what Miami actually does.
So, let me hear it. I will be reading every comment, and I will be adding my input whenever necessary.
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"Experts" Weigh In On The Miami Dolphins Quarterback Situation
Ok, so maybe we're not completely experts on the Miami Dolphins, but we have got to be pretty close.
Gary and I both like to think we know a good bit about the Dolphins, but you probably won't agree with us all of the time. So, I implore you to leave a comment any time that you disagree. We love starting discussion, and that is what we write for.
So any time that you have a reaction to something either of us says just post it in the comments.
And now, here is each of our opinions on the Dolphins QB situation. I will start with Gary's:
(Written by Gary)
There has been a ton of debate on who the QB should be down here in Miami, but I think the debate is over. Chad Henne is the QB of the Miami Dolphins for now, and for the future. He has settled in very nicely, and I can't help but feel that the search for a QB is over.
I'm sure he is going to have days we wish he were back playing for Michigan, but that is true for nearly every young QB in the league. Would you rather see us with Mark Sanchez, Vince Young, Alex Smith, Jimmy Clausen, Colt McCoy, Tim Tebow, Matthew Stafford, or Sam Bradford? I do like Stafford, so let's take him off the list, and Bradford is doing as well as Henne so he shouldn't be on the list either.
Not convinced yet? Well, in Henne's 2nd year take a look at who is rated below him according to ESPN. Click on this link:
http://espn.go.com/nfl/statistics/player/_/stat/passing
We have Tom Brady, Joe Flacco, Tony Romo, Matt Schaub, Jay Cutler, Brett Farve, and a few other big names. Plus, of those above him whom would you want in his place? Carson Palmer, Donovan McNabb, or Kyle Orton? You're kidding right?
As much as Chad Pennington has done for the Dolphins, he is NOT better than Chad Henne. The Miami Dolphins have found their QB, and no he is not a Dan Marino, but who is? He is getting better every week, and I can see him growing into the leader on offense.
I don't know how this year is going to work out, but we have found our QB.
My Opinion (Paul)
I agree with Gary that Chad Henne is our man. Henne gives us an arm that throws the ball farther than 30 yards, and he is still young. Pennington really doesn't throw the ball deep ever, and he will retire soon.
I have said it time and time again. Chad Henne is the quarterback of the future for the Miami Dolphins, and to those of you who argue that Chad Pennington will give the Dolphins a better chance to win you are wrong. Henne has the ability to make a big throw and put points on the board quickly. Pennington doesn't.
He is also a great game manager. He may not be as good at managing the game as Chad Pennington just yet, but he is getting there.
And, for the sake of the argument, let's pretend like Pennington does give the Dolphins a better chance to win. Starting him will not benefit Miami in the future. They may have a good season this year, but what happens when Pennington retires?
You are back to square one with Henne, and then it is rebuilding time again. And while rebuilding is necessary sometimes, it isn't always fun to watch.
Thanks for reading, and please feel free to leave a comment responding to either of us.
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Gary and I both like to think we know a good bit about the Dolphins, but you probably won't agree with us all of the time. So, I implore you to leave a comment any time that you disagree. We love starting discussion, and that is what we write for.
So any time that you have a reaction to something either of us says just post it in the comments.
And now, here is each of our opinions on the Dolphins QB situation. I will start with Gary's:
(Written by Gary)
There has been a ton of debate on who the QB should be down here in Miami, but I think the debate is over. Chad Henne is the QB of the Miami Dolphins for now, and for the future. He has settled in very nicely, and I can't help but feel that the search for a QB is over.
I'm sure he is going to have days we wish he were back playing for Michigan, but that is true for nearly every young QB in the league. Would you rather see us with Mark Sanchez, Vince Young, Alex Smith, Jimmy Clausen, Colt McCoy, Tim Tebow, Matthew Stafford, or Sam Bradford? I do like Stafford, so let's take him off the list, and Bradford is doing as well as Henne so he shouldn't be on the list either.
Not convinced yet? Well, in Henne's 2nd year take a look at who is rated below him according to ESPN. Click on this link:
http://espn.go.com/nfl/statistics/player/_/stat/passing
We have Tom Brady, Joe Flacco, Tony Romo, Matt Schaub, Jay Cutler, Brett Farve, and a few other big names. Plus, of those above him whom would you want in his place? Carson Palmer, Donovan McNabb, or Kyle Orton? You're kidding right?
As much as Chad Pennington has done for the Dolphins, he is NOT better than Chad Henne. The Miami Dolphins have found their QB, and no he is not a Dan Marino, but who is? He is getting better every week, and I can see him growing into the leader on offense.
I don't know how this year is going to work out, but we have found our QB.
My Opinion (Paul)
I agree with Gary that Chad Henne is our man. Henne gives us an arm that throws the ball farther than 30 yards, and he is still young. Pennington really doesn't throw the ball deep ever, and he will retire soon.
I have said it time and time again. Chad Henne is the quarterback of the future for the Miami Dolphins, and to those of you who argue that Chad Pennington will give the Dolphins a better chance to win you are wrong. Henne has the ability to make a big throw and put points on the board quickly. Pennington doesn't.
He is also a great game manager. He may not be as good at managing the game as Chad Pennington just yet, but he is getting there.
And, for the sake of the argument, let's pretend like Pennington does give the Dolphins a better chance to win. Starting him will not benefit Miami in the future. They may have a good season this year, but what happens when Pennington retires?
You are back to square one with Henne, and then it is rebuilding time again. And while rebuilding is necessary sometimes, it isn't always fun to watch.
Thanks for reading, and please feel free to leave a comment responding to either of us.
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We May Have Finally Heard The Last From Miami Dolphins Fans Calling For Chad Pennington To Start
It is incredible how short of a leash some fans of the Miami Dolphins had on Henne. All he had to do was throw a couple of interceptions in a game and a surprising number of fans called for his benching. Some fans just didn’t seem to understand that young quarterbacks need time to develop. They can’t just step in and play like Peyton Manning. Young quarterbacks need to get acclimated to the game and be comfortable when playing, and comfort like that just requires time.
I do believe, though, that we have heard pretty much the last of fans calling for Pennington to step in. I think that most Dolphins fans are finally comfortable enough with Henne in the game to allow him a bad game or two.
Henne is a great quarterback, and he gives the Dolphins the best chance to win in later seasons. He is Miami’s quarterback of the future, and taking him out would “stunt his growth” as a quarterback. Pennington may be the best option as a short-term starter, but starting Henne would be the best thing for the Miami Dolphins in the long-term.
Honestly though, I would even argue that he gives Miami the best chance to win now. Pennington is a good quarterback, but he has never been a winner. Last season Pennington went 0-3 before he was injured and Henne was forced to step in. When he played for the Jets for the first 9 years of his career New York’s record was 62-66. Sure, he didn’t play in every single game during all 9 of those years, but he played for the majority of them.
He has never been a huge winner. He does have a lot of experience, which is invaluable, but he has never won much of anything in the NFL.
Trust me, you want Chad Henne to be the Miami Dolphins quarterback for the next 10-15 years. He may make some frustrating plays every once in a while, but he is still the best option for the long run.
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Miami Dolphins Keys To The Game: Shut Down QB Mark Sanchez
When the Miami Dolphins play in their home opener this weekend their main concern should be on stopping one person:
Mark Sanchez.
I know that the New York Jets running game is supposed to be really great, but I am here to tell you that the running game should not be our main concern. The most important thing the Dolphins can do Sunday night is to get in Mark Sanchez's head by pressuring him all night.
Look at last week's game against the Vikings, for example. Adrian Peterson ran everywhere on the Dolphins, but they still couldn't win because Miami shut down Brett Favre and forced him to make mistakes.
They should do the same with Sanchez.
Sanchez is a young player, and when he is pressured he is definitely more likely to make a mistake than a more experienced player.
Mark Sanchez is the Miami Dolphins primary concern for two reasons. I have already mentioned the first reason, which is that he is young and inexperienced and Miami should be able to capitalize on his mistakes with turnovers. The other reason is that a potent passing offense is much more dangerous than a potent rushing offense.
We don't want Mark Sanchez airing it out all night because that would mean the Jets will put up a lot of points on the board. I am not yet sure if the Dolphins are capable of winning a high-scoring shootout just yet. I would rather a ground battle between the two that could be decided by turnovers.
Running the ball is less efficient than passing and does not give the offense a better chance to score. When you run the ball you have to depend on consistent yardage practically every play so you can earn a first down. All it takes is one loss of yards and you are at risk of having to punt the ball.
New York needs to lose confidence in Sanchez throwing against the Dolphins defense. That way they will have to run the ball, which is better because when a team is passing the ball they will usually get a first down after a single completion. That means they have room for a few incompletions and can still be successful. We don't want the Jets to have that option. We want them to be forced to run through the fear that Sanchez will throw a pick.
The NFL has already transformed into a passing league. You've heard it a million times before, and it is true. Teams have started to realize that the best way to win is to throw the ball, which is why we need to shut down Mark Sanchez.
That is my thinking. Do you agree that Sanchez is the main concern, or is the running game more of a concern?
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Mark Sanchez.
I know that the New York Jets running game is supposed to be really great, but I am here to tell you that the running game should not be our main concern. The most important thing the Dolphins can do Sunday night is to get in Mark Sanchez's head by pressuring him all night.
| You Might As Well Replace The 6 With A Target |
They should do the same with Sanchez.
Sanchez is a young player, and when he is pressured he is definitely more likely to make a mistake than a more experienced player.
Mark Sanchez is the Miami Dolphins primary concern for two reasons. I have already mentioned the first reason, which is that he is young and inexperienced and Miami should be able to capitalize on his mistakes with turnovers. The other reason is that a potent passing offense is much more dangerous than a potent rushing offense.
We don't want Mark Sanchez airing it out all night because that would mean the Jets will put up a lot of points on the board. I am not yet sure if the Dolphins are capable of winning a high-scoring shootout just yet. I would rather a ground battle between the two that could be decided by turnovers.
Running the ball is less efficient than passing and does not give the offense a better chance to score. When you run the ball you have to depend on consistent yardage practically every play so you can earn a first down. All it takes is one loss of yards and you are at risk of having to punt the ball.
New York needs to lose confidence in Sanchez throwing against the Dolphins defense. That way they will have to run the ball, which is better because when a team is passing the ball they will usually get a first down after a single completion. That means they have room for a few incompletions and can still be successful. We don't want the Jets to have that option. We want them to be forced to run through the fear that Sanchez will throw a pick.
The NFL has already transformed into a passing league. You've heard it a million times before, and it is true. Teams have started to realize that the best way to win is to throw the ball, which is why we need to shut down Mark Sanchez.
That is my thinking. Do you agree that Sanchez is the main concern, or is the running game more of a concern?
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Why Is There Even Discussion About Miami Dolphins QB Chad Henne?
I thought I was the person who read too much into the preseason games, but there are apparently people who read a lot closer into it than me.
An article was written recently by the Miami Herald that told Miami Dolphins fans not to "write Miami Dolphins' Chad Henne off too quickly." I am just curious as to why there is even talk about writing him off.
The article was fine, and it was also correct. Fans are writing him off way too quickly. Just read the comments on the article for proof. A lot of the fans are commenting by saying that we should have Pennington starting. Here is a link to the article so you can read it and the comments:
http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/08/28/1796113/dont-write-henne-off-too-quickly.html
Before Friday's game I hadn't heard one complaint about Henne. There was not anybody calling to bench him for Chad Pennington. I didn't hear a single person say that Pennington should be the starter.
But, after what should have been a meaningless game that means nothing, fans are calling for Pennington, all of the sudden. News flash for some of you fans out there:
THE PRESEASON MEANS NOTHING
There is no reason to write Henne off already. If I recall, Pennington lost all three games he played in last year, and it was Henne's job to clean up the mess. AND, he did a pretty good job of cleaning it up too. Henne had a winning record in his first season as the starting QB.
I understand that a lot of you out there are not calling for Pennington to replace Henne, and I am right there with you. Henne was our guy before, and one PRESEASON game won't change that.
Also, don't get me wrong, I like Pennington a lot. He is a great leader and QB. I am glad that we have him in case something happens to Henne. BUT, I do not want him to be our starter. Henne should be.
People are overreacting to something that they should hardly have any reaction to. Henne was our man before Friday. Why is he no longer our man after a preseason game?
That's all I've got. I know I promised not to talk about that preseason game anymore, but I had to because of everyone's reaction.
Let me know what you all think, and please let me hear your comments because I want to know what my readers actually think. I will not criticize you, I promise.
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An article was written recently by the Miami Herald that told Miami Dolphins fans not to "write Miami Dolphins' Chad Henne off too quickly." I am just curious as to why there is even talk about writing him off.
The article was fine, and it was also correct. Fans are writing him off way too quickly. Just read the comments on the article for proof. A lot of the fans are commenting by saying that we should have Pennington starting. Here is a link to the article so you can read it and the comments:
http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/08/28/1796113/dont-write-henne-off-too-quickly.html
Before Friday's game I hadn't heard one complaint about Henne. There was not anybody calling to bench him for Chad Pennington. I didn't hear a single person say that Pennington should be the starter.
But, after what should have been a meaningless game that means nothing, fans are calling for Pennington, all of the sudden. News flash for some of you fans out there:
THE PRESEASON MEANS NOTHING
There is no reason to write Henne off already. If I recall, Pennington lost all three games he played in last year, and it was Henne's job to clean up the mess. AND, he did a pretty good job of cleaning it up too. Henne had a winning record in his first season as the starting QB.
I understand that a lot of you out there are not calling for Pennington to replace Henne, and I am right there with you. Henne was our guy before, and one PRESEASON game won't change that.
Also, don't get me wrong, I like Pennington a lot. He is a great leader and QB. I am glad that we have him in case something happens to Henne. BUT, I do not want him to be our starter. Henne should be.
People are overreacting to something that they should hardly have any reaction to. Henne was our man before Friday. Why is he no longer our man after a preseason game?
That's all I've got. I know I promised not to talk about that preseason game anymore, but I had to because of everyone's reaction.
Let me know what you all think, and please let me hear your comments because I want to know what my readers actually think. I will not criticize you, I promise.
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Is Miami Dolphins Quarterback Chad Henne Fantasy Football Ready?
With all of this talk about Chad Henne, I started to think about his statistics and whether he is worthy of being a fantasy football player.
Let me start with his statistics from last year. Henne threw for 2,878 yards, 12 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions last season. Those are average statistics for a quarterback, and not what you want from a fantasy quarterback.
But, that was with only 13 games started. If you take the average of yards per game, which is around 221 yards, multiply the average by 3, and add that to his yards from last year you get 3,541 yards.
Basically, if Chad Henne started all 16 games he would have somewhere around 3,541 passing yards.
That is much better, but still not among the best in the league. It is good enough for at least a back-up position on your team, though. And, that is just from last year.
This year will be a lot better for Henne. Among other reasons, he now has a receiver that can make big plays and puts up great numbers. A quarterback can only do so much with possession receivers. Even if they are really good at catching, they won't help your quarterback put up fantasy football-worthy numbers.
In order for a quarterback to be fantasy-worthy, he must have at least one receiver who is also fantasy-worthy. That is exactly what Brandon Marshall is.
All of that being said, I am still not convinced that he is worthy of being a starting fantasy quarterback in a smaller league. If you have a huge league with a lot of different teams, then it would be a different case, but let's assume you are in a smaller league.
Henne still has to prove himself, and I think most people can agree that he can't put up Drew Brees or Peyton Manning numbers yet. So for now, I would pick him up as a back-up quarterback. He should be able to put up at least 4000 passing yards, but the problem is he doesn't throw as many touchdowns, because the Miami Dolphins rushing game gets too many touchdowns.
Would you pick up Henne as a fantasy quarterback? Why or why not? If so, would he be your first or second string quarterback? Let me know with your comments.
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Let me start with his statistics from last year. Henne threw for 2,878 yards, 12 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions last season. Those are average statistics for a quarterback, and not what you want from a fantasy quarterback.
But, that was with only 13 games started. If you take the average of yards per game, which is around 221 yards, multiply the average by 3, and add that to his yards from last year you get 3,541 yards.
Basically, if Chad Henne started all 16 games he would have somewhere around 3,541 passing yards.
That is much better, but still not among the best in the league. It is good enough for at least a back-up position on your team, though. And, that is just from last year.
This year will be a lot better for Henne. Among other reasons, he now has a receiver that can make big plays and puts up great numbers. A quarterback can only do so much with possession receivers. Even if they are really good at catching, they won't help your quarterback put up fantasy football-worthy numbers.
In order for a quarterback to be fantasy-worthy, he must have at least one receiver who is also fantasy-worthy. That is exactly what Brandon Marshall is.
All of that being said, I am still not convinced that he is worthy of being a starting fantasy quarterback in a smaller league. If you have a huge league with a lot of different teams, then it would be a different case, but let's assume you are in a smaller league.
Henne still has to prove himself, and I think most people can agree that he can't put up Drew Brees or Peyton Manning numbers yet. So for now, I would pick him up as a back-up quarterback. He should be able to put up at least 4000 passing yards, but the problem is he doesn't throw as many touchdowns, because the Miami Dolphins rushing game gets too many touchdowns.
Would you pick up Henne as a fantasy quarterback? Why or why not? If so, would he be your first or second string quarterback? Let me know with your comments.
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5 Reasons You Should Jump On Chad Henne's Bandwagon Now
You have heard about the hype surrounding Chad Henne that Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross started.
Ross said that Henne has the potential to become the best Miami Dolphins QB ever. Many people think he over exaggerated how good Henne was, and that may be the case. But even though he may have gone a little too far, his claim still has some backing.
Henne is a great quarterback who does show a lot of potential like Ross said. He has what he needs to succeed now, which is why I believe this year he will be primed for a breakout. Here are 5 reasons why:
His Arm Strength
Henne has a really, really strong arm.
He can throw the ball as far as he needs to. Last year that was not really necessary because the Dolphins didn't have a deep threat for Henne to throw it to. Now, they do have a deep threat for Henne (which I will get to in a later slide).
A strong arm is the key to success in the NFL. The NFL is fast paced and quarterbacks need to be able to quickly fit the football into the receivers hands. If a passer is unable to throw the ball quick enough, then the defense will get in the way and either knock down the ball or intercept it.
He Is A Great Leader
Whenever you hear a player from the Miami Dolphins talking about Henne, you will always hear about how he is a leader.
Leadership is a must for any professional quarterback. A quarterback must be able to control his teammates in the huddle. He must be the person who keeps everyone in the huddle calm and focused.
A leader is confident in his abilities and, therefore, his teammates will also be confident in his abilities. They can trust him and know he will do everything he can to pull them through.
All of those attributes describe Chad Henne. Henne is a controller of the team. If you ask anyone who has been in the huddle with him, they will say the same thing.
A quarterback can be pretty successful even if he isn't the best passer if he is a good leader. Every team needs leadership from their quarterback to be successful, and the Dolphins are no different.
The Beast
The Beast is a real game changer.
Brandon Marshall aka "The Beast" is what will make this year so special for Henne. Chad Henne was great before, and he didn't have a deep threat to help him play even better. Brandon Marshall is that deep threat that I mentioned earlier.
Marshall is one of the top receivers in the NFL, and he gets a lot of receptions. He is a play-maker that can catch big passes. He can turn what would have normally been a 10+ play drive for the Miami Dolphins last year into a 2 or 3 play drive this year with a big catch or two.
Brandon Marshall is by far the biggest offensive addition for the Dolphins so far. He will help Chad Henne get big plays and put up big statistics.
The Rest Of The Receiving Corps
Whenever one's first plan doesn't work out, one should always have a back-up plan.
The same goes for Chad Henne passing the ball. Of course, Brandon Marshall will be his primary target, and he should look to pass the ball to him because you know he can make a play.
But, Marshall won't always be open. That is when Henne can look to his other receivers. The rest of the Miami Dolphins receivers are extremely good at catching the football. They do not necessarily make big plays for big gains, but they sure can make big catches. If you throw the ball to them you know they will catch it.
Whenever Henne needs to, he can know that whoever he passes to will catch anything he throws at them.
Whether it is Brian Hartline, Greg Camarillo, or Davone Bess, Henne will always have a great receiver to catch his passes and help him do even better.
The Miami Dolphins Running Game
A good way to assure a successful passing offense is to have a successful rushing offense.
The Dolphins have a great running game. When the passing game was unable to carry the team the last few years, the running game was definitely able to.
The great thing about having such a good running game is that opposing defenses have to be just as ready for the Dolphins to run the ball as they have to be for Henne to pass the ball.
This will make things a little bit easier for Henne. All he will have to do is fake a hand-off to one of the numerous Dolphin running backs and he will make the defense think Miami is running the ball. Then, one of his receivers is bound to be open for him to rocket the ball to.
One of the reasons I believe Minnesota Vikings QB Brett Favre did so well last year was the fact that opposing defenses absolutely had to account for RB Adrian Peterson. Peterson was capable of breaking a big play at any time, so defenses had to make sure they covered him. That made things easier for Favre, who could catch defenses off guard and throw to a receiver past them.
Now, Henne can do the same thing. Other teams know that the Dolphins have multiple threats at the running back position that they have to prepare for, so they will focus a lot on the Dolphins rushing attack.
This will be a huge year for Chad Henne. I guarantee it.
Everything looks good for him, and I don't see any reason why he won't break out. He has all of the tools he needs at his disposal. This year is going to be the year that he uses his tools to become a star.
And, maybe, some day Stephen Ross will look like a genius. Maybe Henne will be the best Dolphin quarterback ever. We will just have to see, though.
So Dolphins fans, grab your popcorn, sit back, and enjoy the ride.
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Ross said that Henne has the potential to become the best Miami Dolphins QB ever. Many people think he over exaggerated how good Henne was, and that may be the case. But even though he may have gone a little too far, his claim still has some backing.
Henne is a great quarterback who does show a lot of potential like Ross said. He has what he needs to succeed now, which is why I believe this year he will be primed for a breakout. Here are 5 reasons why:
His Arm Strength
Henne has a really, really strong arm.
He can throw the ball as far as he needs to. Last year that was not really necessary because the Dolphins didn't have a deep threat for Henne to throw it to. Now, they do have a deep threat for Henne (which I will get to in a later slide).
A strong arm is the key to success in the NFL. The NFL is fast paced and quarterbacks need to be able to quickly fit the football into the receivers hands. If a passer is unable to throw the ball quick enough, then the defense will get in the way and either knock down the ball or intercept it.
He Is A Great Leader
Whenever you hear a player from the Miami Dolphins talking about Henne, you will always hear about how he is a leader.
Leadership is a must for any professional quarterback. A quarterback must be able to control his teammates in the huddle. He must be the person who keeps everyone in the huddle calm and focused.
A leader is confident in his abilities and, therefore, his teammates will also be confident in his abilities. They can trust him and know he will do everything he can to pull them through.
All of those attributes describe Chad Henne. Henne is a controller of the team. If you ask anyone who has been in the huddle with him, they will say the same thing.
A quarterback can be pretty successful even if he isn't the best passer if he is a good leader. Every team needs leadership from their quarterback to be successful, and the Dolphins are no different.
The Beast
The Beast is a real game changer.
Brandon Marshall aka "The Beast" is what will make this year so special for Henne. Chad Henne was great before, and he didn't have a deep threat to help him play even better. Brandon Marshall is that deep threat that I mentioned earlier.
Marshall is one of the top receivers in the NFL, and he gets a lot of receptions. He is a play-maker that can catch big passes. He can turn what would have normally been a 10+ play drive for the Miami Dolphins last year into a 2 or 3 play drive this year with a big catch or two.
Brandon Marshall is by far the biggest offensive addition for the Dolphins so far. He will help Chad Henne get big plays and put up big statistics.
The Rest Of The Receiving Corps
Whenever one's first plan doesn't work out, one should always have a back-up plan.
The same goes for Chad Henne passing the ball. Of course, Brandon Marshall will be his primary target, and he should look to pass the ball to him because you know he can make a play.
But, Marshall won't always be open. That is when Henne can look to his other receivers. The rest of the Miami Dolphins receivers are extremely good at catching the football. They do not necessarily make big plays for big gains, but they sure can make big catches. If you throw the ball to them you know they will catch it.
Whenever Henne needs to, he can know that whoever he passes to will catch anything he throws at them.
Whether it is Brian Hartline, Greg Camarillo, or Davone Bess, Henne will always have a great receiver to catch his passes and help him do even better.
The Miami Dolphins Running Game
A good way to assure a successful passing offense is to have a successful rushing offense.
The Dolphins have a great running game. When the passing game was unable to carry the team the last few years, the running game was definitely able to.
The great thing about having such a good running game is that opposing defenses have to be just as ready for the Dolphins to run the ball as they have to be for Henne to pass the ball.
This will make things a little bit easier for Henne. All he will have to do is fake a hand-off to one of the numerous Dolphin running backs and he will make the defense think Miami is running the ball. Then, one of his receivers is bound to be open for him to rocket the ball to.
One of the reasons I believe Minnesota Vikings QB Brett Favre did so well last year was the fact that opposing defenses absolutely had to account for RB Adrian Peterson. Peterson was capable of breaking a big play at any time, so defenses had to make sure they covered him. That made things easier for Favre, who could catch defenses off guard and throw to a receiver past them.
Now, Henne can do the same thing. Other teams know that the Dolphins have multiple threats at the running back position that they have to prepare for, so they will focus a lot on the Dolphins rushing attack.
This will be a huge year for Chad Henne. I guarantee it.
Everything looks good for him, and I don't see any reason why he won't break out. He has all of the tools he needs at his disposal. This year is going to be the year that he uses his tools to become a star.
And, maybe, some day Stephen Ross will look like a genius. Maybe Henne will be the best Dolphin quarterback ever. We will just have to see, though.
So Dolphins fans, grab your popcorn, sit back, and enjoy the ride.
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The Miami Dolphins Should Definitely Use Chad Pennington In A Different Way
Miami Dolphins QB Chad Pennington has been recovering from shoulder surgery since last season.
It is the third surgery on the same shoulder for Pennington, and it is looking less and less like he will play again. He didn't do much in the preseason workouts and OTA's this offseason.
So, I say why not take him off the roster completely and just hire him as a coach for the team.
Think about it, last year when Henne was playing, Pennington was his mentor. Pennington was basically coaching Henne last year, so why not let him do it this year.
We have three capable quarterbacks who can play and lead the team. Yes, I know that some of you don't believe in Pat White being a real quarterback, but I believe he has potential. All he needs is a coach like Pennington to help him be more accurate.
Keeping Pennington as a player will have no benefit for the Dolphins. He is 33 years old and at the end of his playing career. On top of that, he might not even play.
Now I'll be honest, I don't know the full details of Pennington's contract, so I don't know if there would be any way to get the money Miami is paying him back.
But, it would still be more beneficial to the Dolphins to hire Pennington as a coach instead of a player. While he may not be young for an NFL athlete, he is still very young compared to NFL coaches. The Miami Dolphins should pick him up as a coach now, before another team does, because he is extremely hard working and knowledgeable about the game.
Trust me on this one. We have the quarterback position covered, which is why we no longer need Pennington on the roster. Him as a coach will free up another spot on the roster for Miami to keep a player at a more pressing position.
What do you guys think? Let me hear it below.
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It is the third surgery on the same shoulder for Pennington, and it is looking less and less like he will play again. He didn't do much in the preseason workouts and OTA's this offseason.
So, I say why not take him off the roster completely and just hire him as a coach for the team.
Think about it, last year when Henne was playing, Pennington was his mentor. Pennington was basically coaching Henne last year, so why not let him do it this year.
We have three capable quarterbacks who can play and lead the team. Yes, I know that some of you don't believe in Pat White being a real quarterback, but I believe he has potential. All he needs is a coach like Pennington to help him be more accurate.
Keeping Pennington as a player will have no benefit for the Dolphins. He is 33 years old and at the end of his playing career. On top of that, he might not even play.
Now I'll be honest, I don't know the full details of Pennington's contract, so I don't know if there would be any way to get the money Miami is paying him back.
But, it would still be more beneficial to the Dolphins to hire Pennington as a coach instead of a player. While he may not be young for an NFL athlete, he is still very young compared to NFL coaches. The Miami Dolphins should pick him up as a coach now, before another team does, because he is extremely hard working and knowledgeable about the game.
Trust me on this one. We have the quarterback position covered, which is why we no longer need Pennington on the roster. Him as a coach will free up another spot on the roster for Miami to keep a player at a more pressing position.
What do you guys think? Let me hear it below.
Subscribe to DolphinShout
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