Sparano happy after Henne's first workout

[DolFan619]

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/football/pro/dolphins/sfl-flspdolnb03sbmay03,0,1123719,print.story

Sparano happy after Henne's first workout

By Harvey Fialkov
South Florida Sun-Sentinel

May 3, 2008

DAVIE - For at least this weekend, second-round draft pick Chad Henne is the starting quarterback of the Dolphins.

His competition is undrafted, unsigned Valdosta State quarterback Willie Copeland. Second-year quarterback John Beck and veteran Josh McCown aren't eligible to participate in this weekend's rookie minicamp.

"It's definitely different, especially at rookie camp, just going out there doing the best I can, learning the playbook," said Henne, a four-year starter at Michigan. "You never know what's going to happen. John's a great quarterback, and Josh McCown is here, so everybody's going to compete at their best and hopefully make each other better."

Coach Tony Sparano made it clear that "we have a quarterback competition."

"At the end of [training camp] we're going to find out who the best quarterback is," Sparano said. "I was happy with what Chad did, especially from a mental standpoint. From a quarterback, it's all about what he does in the huddle. It's how he takes control. ... Chad managed the team fine at the line of scrimmage."

Henne, who battled shoulder, knee and ankle injuries during his senior season at Michigan, said he's 100 percent healthy. He barked out the plays with confidence and was especially effective on short outs to a battery of young receivers.


Long takes a number

Left tackle Jake Long, the No. 1 overall draft pick, was wearing No. 79 instead of his customary 77, which is currently worn by second-year lineman Drew Mormino.

"I wore it all through high school and all through college, so we'll see what happens," Long said. "But I like 79. My little brother wears 79, so it's a good number, too."


Seminole watch

Among the 15 unsigned rookie free agents working out this weekend is former Florida State safety Roger Williams, who had 75 tackles, including a sack, and an interception last season.


Murphy feels the heat

Although it was a breezy, relatively comfortable 80-degree spring day, 320-pound rookie guard Shawn Murphy felt otherwise.

"I know this is a cold front going through here, but it snowed in Utah the night I left," said Murphy, son of former Atlanta Braves slugger Dale Murphy. "It's a little warm for me, but I'll get used to it."


Merling pain-free

Second-round pick Phillip Merling was moving cautiously, but this was only his second workout since having a sports hernia surgically repaired.

"My groin bothered me this whole year [at Clemson]," Merling said. "This is only the second workout I've done. ... the first day I tested it, and I don't have any pain."

[fyo]

One thing I would like to see this year is a pre-season without half the team spending most of their time on the ellipticals...