Maybe Dan Marino could help.

[Doc-phin]

I was thinking and came up with what I believe could be a good idea.  I sometimes wonder if thoughts posted on sites like this make their way back to people that are in a position to get things done, so here it is...

I have stated that Henne is an anti-clutch QB.  Good 20-20 early in the game but poor in the red zone and two minute drill.  Since this was a strength of Dan's, why not see if he could come in for a few days in the bye week to consult with Henne?  If they are only focusing on a couple of things I don't see why they couldn't find a couple of areas to make some good progress.

Lets think about who Henne has had in his head.  Chad Pennington was a ball control/game manager type of QB.  I can't remember the name of the QB coach that brought us the Wildcat, but you can see where his focus was.  Dan Henning probably actually had a few good things he brought to the table, but the most aggressive he ever really got was when he got his team to the opposing 40 yard line and would take a shot or two at a big play.  Now he has Daboll and the receivers coach is now the QB coach and the jury is out on those guys.

So bring Dan in and let him watch some film on his reads, mechanics, communication and awareness when it comes down to crunch time.  Maybe he could also talk to the coaches and recommend a few drills that helped him in this regard.  Its just a consult, but what other resource do we have that would be better to address one of our glaring issues?  I am sure Dan would be up for it if it were just a few days and they might even be able to weave it into his analyst gig sort of the way Gruden meets with QBs.  But I really want something more focused and deeper than that.

[jtex316]

This is actually a good idea - but unfortunately Marino may not be qualified.

Before you attack me for that statement, it's not because Marino wasn't a great player. It's because great players sometimes do not have the ability to teach other players and consult with them. Michael Jordan flat-out intimidated and bullied his players into playing at a higher level - he is worthless as a coach or a GM. Magic Johnson lasted 9 seconds as L.A. Lakers head coach - all-time great, but not a good instructor.

Being an instructor / teacher / consultant doesn't come naturally to guys like Dan Marino / Tom Brady / Terry Bradshaw (and there are a lot of psychology articles and books on this subject to reference upon). Peyton Manning would be the only guy who's a coach on the field that is also a hall-of-fame talent - but that is extremely rare.

Chad Pennington - while not a great QB on the field - is probably the best QB mentor Chad Henne as ever had, even if Marino consults with him.

Being an all-time great in a lot of ways does not allow the person to teach and instruct and mentor someone.

[CF DolFan]

jtex is right.  Great players that have "it" never had tro struggle to get it. The best teachers are the ones that had to put in the extra time and effort to learn it the hard way.

I wonder why if everyone agrees that Henne has become a much better QB from last year to this, that he won't continue to do so?

[Doc-phin]

I thought about the teaching thing and agree to an extent, but we aren't talking about coaching.  Marino just needs to watch the last 4 games (after San Diego) and anything that is in the red zone and anything that is urgent come from behind stuff (this season).  He may even take a look at some practice tape of those situations.

From that, I think even a non-teaching type QB could give a few quality tips.  I have listened to Dan's weekly 13 minute spot with the phinsiders guys and I picked up on some things.  He was asked about the last offensive possession in the Browns game about strategy on where to go with the ball.  Dan asked a couple of questions about the situation and was quickly able to say what options were best suited for that situation.  It doesn't qualify Marino as a good teacher, but he has enough experience to at least identify some specific areas of priority.

I am sure Dan has watched enough tape of himself to see where Henne's top three deficiencies are.  Not much risk, IMO and I am sure Henne would love a few days of talking ball with Dan.

[Doc-phin]

jtex is right.  Great players that have "it" never had tro struggle to get it. The best teachers are the ones that had to put in the extra time and effort to learn it the hard way.

I wonder why if everyone agrees that Henne has become a much better QB from last year to this, that he won't continue to do so?

First part - No quarterback just gets lucky and has magical abilities in the NFL.  If you were great, you were a hard worker.  Some may have worked harder than others to compensate for lack of natural talent, but they all prepared hard.

Second part - Henne may not have the time as a starter.  Gotta score to win and gotta win to keep your job.  If he doesn't start scoring soon, he isn't going to be given much more time.  So far the progression is there, but it isn't fast enough to save his career as a starter.

[JVides]

Before you attack me for that statement, it's not because Marino wasn't a great player. It's because great players sometimes do not have the ability to teach other players and consult with them.

I've heard this a lot, especially in the NBA, where guys like Bird and Magic struggled because they couldn't teach guys how to play like they used to, and were frustrated by it.  Excellent point, Jtex.

[tubba marxxx]

Marino wants nothing to do with a behind the scenes role:  Remember when he resigned 3 weeks after taking that VP of executive operations or w/e the hell it was?  He's totally content being on camera on CBS because he has an ego the size of Asia.


I probably struck a nerve with some people with that comment.  Allow me to explain.


My father attended a charity golf event with a bunch of NFL QB's in the mid 90's.  Steve Young, Aikman, Ferotte, Boomer, Vinny Testaverde, Marino, and a few others were there.  My father got a bunch of autographs from players signing stuff in between shots, but, being a Dolphins fan, he was really eager to get Marino's.  Marino says to the fans:  "I'm not signing anything until the 18th hole."  Kinda douchey, but whatever.  More time to make sure he gets everyone an autograph, right?  Wrong.  The 18th hole comes, and Marino claims "I'm only signing for the first 5 people."  My father was 8th in line.  He hands Marino the football to sign, Marino hands it right back to him and said "I'm done for today."



So, no thank you to this Marino can help idea..Stay retired on camera and keep yourself in a spotlight a little while longer dude

[Landshark]

No way.  He would not make a good coach.  He doesn't have the patience.  A lot of the stars don't.  Notice how a lot of the successful NFL coaches were journeyman players.  They had to wait patiently to get a chance and they also had the opportunity to study the game from the sidelines.

[Doc-phin]

Does anybody actually read anything other than the title?

We are talking 2-3 days and probably a total of an hours worth of tape.  Its the bye week.  Your trying to tell me that Marino couldn't or wouldn't find a couple of things to share.  Give him a few tips on how to use his receivers better in the red zone and how to attack a prevent defense, maybe work on his pump fake or moving a defender with his eyes.  Maybe he could set up a drill or two to work on after practice and a few keys on how to scout shitty defenders.  How stressful could that be?  All he would be doing is discussing what he did when he was playing.

This is just talking about football and his experience, not coaching.  Just a little something to use as an edge and get over the hump.  Marino talks football every week, so don't give me the B.S.

My bet is that nobody has ever asked him to do this.  Look how many excuses you get when you just post the concept on this site.  I bet he would actually enjoy getting out on the field for a couple of days and break down a bit of film.  Lots of excuses though, which is why nothing ever happens.

And of course journeymen are more likely to coach, they need the money more.  High profile players just don't want to work the long hours and they have enough cash to spend their days doing more enjoyable things.  It isn't because they "studied the game more on the sidelines".

[tubba marxxx]

Does anybody actually read anything other than the title?

We are talking 2-3 days and probably a total of an hours worth of tape.  Its the bye week.  Your trying to tell me that Marino couldn't or wouldn't find a couple of things to share.  Give him a few tips on how to use his receivers better in the red zone and how to attack a prevent defense, maybe work on his pump fake or moving a defender with his eyes.  Maybe he could set up a drill or two to work on after practice and a few keys on how to scout shitty defenders.  How stressful could that be?  All he would be doing is discussing what he did when he was playing.

This is just talking about football and his experience, not coaching.  Just a little something to use as an edge and get over the hump.  Marino talks football every week, so don't give me the B.S.

My bet is that nobody has ever asked him to do this.  Look how many excuses you get when you just post the concept on this site.  I bet he would actually enjoy getting out on the field for a couple of days and break down a bit of film.  Lots of excuses though, which is why nothing ever happens.

And of course journeymen are more likely to coach, they need the money more.  High profile players just don't want to work the long hours and they have enough cash to spend their days doing more enjoyable things.  It isn't because they "studied the game more on the sidelines".

Yeah, I can read.  and if he's not going to be a coach, then you're asking him to do this out of the kindness of his heart.  Something he would never do.  Please, he ENJOYS Miami's suffering QB position because it still makes him look like the man.

[MikeO]

why not bring in Marino, Montana, and Aikman. Pay them all a million dollars to work with Henne. Hey its a paycheck, its a legit living. They will want the money and we can use the help, its a good investment!! Only a few hours total whats the big deal. Then lets have Shula, Dungy, and Chuck Noll....yeah Noll. Pay them each big bucks to work with Sparano and help him be a better coach. Yeah thats the idea.

Why hasn't anyone else thought of this....oh wait cause its silly!

[EKnight]

Marino wants nothing to do with a behind the scenes role:  Remember when he resigned 3 weeks after taking that VP of executive operations or w/e the hell it was?  He's totally content being on camera on CBS because he has an ego the size of Asia.


I probably struck a nerve with some people with that comment.  Allow me to explain.


My father attended a charity golf event with a bunch of NFL QB's in the mid 90's.  Steve Young, Aikman, Ferotte, Boomer, Vinny Testaverde, Marino, and a few others were there.  My father got a bunch of autographs from players signing stuff in between shots, but, being a Dolphins fan, he was really eager to get Marino's.  Marino says to the fans:  "I'm not signing anything until the 18th hole."  Kinda douchey, but whatever.  More time to make sure he gets everyone an autograph, right?  Wrong.  The 18th hole comes, and Marino claims "I'm only signing for the first 5 people."  My father was 8th in line.  He hands Marino the football to sign, Marino hands it right back to him and said "I'm done for today."



So, no thank you to this Marino can help idea..Stay retired on camera and keep yourself in a spotlight a little while longer dude

Must've been a bad day. He and Elway stayed for nearly 45 minutes signing things when I met them at the Monday after the Masters. Just sayin. -EK

[Doc-phin]

So far the general response is this...

Marino is an asshole.  Marino is a moron and can't communicate anything about the position he used to play.  Marino wouldn't spare even a short moment of his time to help a young QB on his old team.  Marino likes the Dolphins sucking because it makes him look good and can't take a chance on making Henne better because it would threaten his legacy. 

Reasons given...

He only held the VP position he took way back for a day.  He didn't sign someones autograph in the middle of a game.  He was a great QB therefore he relied on natural talent and never really studied the game.  He is happy with his current job. 

WOW guys.  You are geniuses and I can't believe how crazy the idea was.  Marino is a terrible person who cares nothing about the franchise that made him who he is.  How did I not see that.  A few days of talking about film with a current player would be too challenging for him and ruin the rest of his year.  Besides, he doesn't know shit about football.  He is just a guy that got lucky.  Repeatedly.  And broke nearly every record with his luck.  And went to a super bowl with his luck.  And went to the playoffs nearly every year, because he was lucky.  Oh, and he had a superhero fast release that made him lucky.   

I also must have missed the part where Aikman and Montana played for Miami.  Funny thing is that Shula volunteered to help Sparano and Parcels when they got started; they turned it down.  I'm so silly!

[BigDaddyFin]

Dan Marino may not be able to coach Chad Henne for whatever reason, it might however do a world of good for Chad Henne and Dan Marino to spend some time together in a random social setting.  For example, Henne may learn some shit in a casual conversation with Dan.  I don't know that Dan could or would want to coach him.

[dolfan13]

accuracy can't be coached.

chad henne just isn't accurate enough from a consistency perspective to be a successful nfl starting qb.