The season hasn’t played out quite that way for the Dolphins.
Henne has actually had a pretty decent season. He’s completed over 64 percent of his passes and has tossed five touchdowns to four interceptions. Yes, these are modest numbers, but nothing to be alarmed about.
The Dolphins currently have a 2-2 record. The two losses came against the Jets and the Patriots in back-to-back weeks. Both of these teams are superior to Miami, yet the South Shore is in panic and seriously doubts Henne’s ability.
Why Miami? This is the youngest quarterback with promise you have had since… Dan Marino?
Since Marino left the Dolphins have had an assortment of characters at quarterback. The list is made up of:
Jay Fiedler
Damon Huard
Ray Lucas
Brian Griese
Sage Rosenfels
Gus Frerotte
Daunte Culpepper
Joey Harrington
Cleo Lemon
John Beck
Chad Pennington
None of these quarterbacks, Marino included, were able to bring the Dolphins a Super Bowl.
Only Pennington had success in Miami, leading them to the playoffs in 2008. But, he is now 34 years-old and had a third surgery on his throwing shoulder in 2009. He already won the Comeback Player of the Year twice, three times may be pushing it.
So, if not Henne or Pennington then who?
The only other quarterback on the roster, as of right now, is Tyler Thigpen. The Dolphins acquired Thigpen from the Chiefs for an undisclosed draft pick. He relieved Henne against the Patriots on Monday night and completed only 2 passes for 15 yards, and also threw an interception.
He is not the answer either.
Miami has to stick with Henne. At 25 years-old he is in his third year in the league and is still developing. Not every quarterback can be effective as Joe Flacco, Matt Ryan or Ben Roethlisberger right from the start.
Henne has the confidence and composure to lead this team. When asked on Thursday if he could still lead the Dolphins, he responded with a reassuring coolness.
“Definitely, there’s no question,” Henne told the Miami Herald. “I see myself each and every day even in practice even in the games getting better at things that I wasn’t so good at last year. There’s glimpses out there and the biggest thing is being consistent. I mean I have full confidence that we can move the football on the offensive side of the ball, and it’s whether my job is to protect that football at all costs. You take those turnovers away, it could be a definitely a different game. You know it happened and I’ll learn from it, and that’s my job; I have to protect that football.”
He will grow into the quarterback the city is starving for. Fans just need to be as patient as the franchise is.
Will Chad Henne develop into a great NFL quarterback? Share your thoughts below.
