Why Play Henne Now?

[Guru-In-Vegas]

So, I'm starting to notice a disturbing trend amongst the Dolfan faithful.  I'm starting to read in other forums and hearing comments of people who want "Henne now".  My question is - Why?

I've never liked the idea of throwing young QBs into the fray.  Sure, there are examples of success when employing such a practice.  However, for the most part, it always seems to end in disaster for both the QB and the team.  I think Pennington has done good for the team and continues to do so.  Maybe not as much in production on the field as much as he has for development and leadership for our young'ns but I think it's almost as important, especially when you have such a young offense. 

I guess what I'm trying to say is - if an experienced QB hasn't had a monstrous amount of success what makes people think that a green noob will?  Even worse, what's going to happen to our future QB when he's fed to the wolves early on?  I know... It will be Play *next young QB* NOW!!! sentiments all over again. 

Let our boy gain experience and knowledge.  It's not like we're on track for the SB right now.  What's the rush?

[StL FinFan]

I'm with you.  I think it's just a vocal minority that wants Henne now.

[tubba marxxx]

i said henne should play now earlier today as a joke, but this arguement could go either way.  It is way too early to hit the "panic button" and pennington does give Miami the best chance to win, as far as we know.  But on the other hand pennington is in a contract year and miami has already expressed that henne will start in 2010.

Let our boy gain experience and knowledge.  It's not like we're on track for the SB right now.  What's the rush?

experience comes with playing......and miami is not winning a super bowl this year....so if miami is, say, 1 - 4......why not see what our qb of the futre can do

[Guru-In-Vegas]

Sure there is no better way to learning than being hands on but like most apprenticeships you sit, watch and learn at first.

By the way, this is something that I've been thinking about after talking with some friends and reading other forums.  Your joke merely reminded me of them.

[Brian Fein]

experience comes with playing......and miami is not winning a super bowl this year....so if miami is, say, 1 - 4......why not see what our qb of the futre can do

Just a reminder - this is the exact same thing "you all" said about John Beck.  Putting a young QB in before he's ready "just to see what he can do" is career-damaging.

[tubba marxxx]

touche.....altho henne has a year under his belt where as beck was thrown right in against some tough defenses and horrible weather conditions......and cam cameron for a coach

[YoFuggedaboutit]

I think Henne should get SOME playing time.  Starting him, on the other hand, is a different story. 

It was almost impossible to play him last year because every game was so close.

[CF DolFan]

Wow. I'm really lost. I thought Henne sat all last year. No certainly don't through him to the wolves.

Comparing this year and inserting Henne in year 2 to Beck's rookie season and team 2 years ago is like comparing Whoopi Goldberg to Beyonce.

[MyGodWearsAHoodie]

Of course you should start Henne this year. 

No point in having the same QB start two full years in a row.  Dolphins have committed to rotating QBs every few games ever since Marino left, and the plan has worked great.  Why would you want to stop that trend now.  No QB is allowed to start more than 20 games in row! Otherwise the offense might actually develop some sort of rythem. 

[StL FinFan]

Wow. I'm really lost. I thought Henne sat all last year. No certainly don't through him to the wolves.

Comparing this year and inserting Henne in year 2 to Beck's rookie season and team 2 years ago is like comparing Whoopi Goldberg to Beyonce.

boo hiss already heard that one

[CF DolFan]

Of course you should start Henne this year. 

No point in having the same QB start two full years in a row.  Dolphins have committed to rotating QBs every few games ever since Marino left, and the plan has worked great.  Why would you want to stop that trend now.  No QB is allowed to start more than 20 games in row! Otherwise the offense might actually develop some sort of rythem. 

Consistancy is going to help Penny? I don't see it making his arm stronger so that we can make defenses back up. I don't see where that helps Ginn either. Besides, I'm talking about once we are , by all reasonable notions, eliminated from the playoffs. That would be when we go 0-3 or something comparable.

Keeping Penny the Qb just so that we can have more wins doesn't make sense. Did New England get an award for having the most wins by a non-playoff team? Neither will we.

[CF DolFan]

boo hiss already heard that one

Where did that come from? It's stuck in my head. 

[bsfins]

I'm,I don't care either way,to leaning play Henne...Wow talk about hypocrtes...Not a word about playing Pat White,but Henne..No ohh god..Last time I checked Henne second year,Pat Whites the rookie a rookie..

News flash people Pennington HAS NEVER started 16 games 2 years in a row in his NFL career,and only started 16 games twice in his entire career,06,and 08...

Pennington is a free agent after this year,personally I don't want to have to resign him,and not know if we have to draft another QB...
My concerns are about ruining Henne,He's a big boy,played at a bigger school,he can handle the pressure....But we have to change the palybook to him..and not pull a Chicago Bears...New QB,and try to run his old offense at his old team....(The Bears a re a run the ball play defense,not throw it 50 times with no WR's)

If the offense looks like shit in another week or so.....Play Henne...

The offensive line seems to not be communicating,and working as a group.....meanwhile,they're gonna get Pennington,noodle arm,pretty fragile QB is getting killed....

[Dolphin-UK]

The point at which the maths means we can no longer get into the playoffs, you start Henne and see if we need to resign Pennington or not, or if we resign Pennington, what kind of role he gets and for how much money.

Surely?

[Doc-phin]

I am going to move up my approval for starting Henne to after the bye.  If we don't start getting some offensive rhythm and our O-line looks good enough to handle the extra pressure that a young QB often incites then I say why not.

As others have stated...  Pennington is not the future, although I really like the guy.  Henne is not a rookie and had a great deal of college play time.  You got to admit that we are likely not going to the playoffs this year so there is little to lose from that standpoint. 

It just doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that teams are playing us close to the line of scrimmage.  Our dinks and dunks as well as our running game are suffering.  Unless our special teams and defense can produce points and/or great field position we will have trouble.  How do you sustain 12+ play drives and not expect to fail to convert your way to touchdowns with any consistency?