Author Topic: The Quarterback position for the Miami Dolphins. Articles & comments  (Read 1310 times)

Fish Fiend

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Dolphins are going to take a QB, aren't they?

All this talk of the running game is nice, but Dolphins need to get a QB high
Dave Hyde Sun Sentinel Columnist

Well, here's one thing I thought everyone pretty much had agreed on until lately: The Dolphins need to draft a quarterback high this year. It's obvious, right?

It's no secret Chad Henne's development stalled last season. It's no secret there are two, maybe three, quarterbacks in the Dolphins' cone of hope with the 15th overall draft pick.

Nor is it any secret that it's an entirely different pro football game from five years ago, 10 years ago and certainly from the last time the Dolphins won a Super Bowl 37 years ago.

The quarterback, always the most important player, has become exponentially more so. You're going nowhere without an upper-echelon one. This is not because there were two domed stadiums in 1973 and there are nine now.

It's not because a series of rule changes have helped receivers dating to the "Isaac Curtis Rule," which came from a playoff game where the Dolphins game plan consisted of "taking Isaac's head off" every play, safety Dick Anderson said.

It's not because a no-fly zone has been placed around quarterbacks, because offensive game plans now incorporate five receivers or because running backs have been downgraded to interchangeable pieces.

It's because of all of that. It's because 11 of the past 12 winners of Super Bowls and conference championship games have passed more they have run (Pittsburgh in this past season's AFC Championship Game was the exception).

It's because Bob Griese threw an era-defining seven times in the 1973 Super Bowl, and Green Bay's Aaron Rodgers threw for his era-defining 39 times in this latest Super Bowl.

That's why this week's NFL meetings brought some quotes that were surprising only in the context of what's going on around this team and the broader game.

"We're going to continue to run the football because that's my nature,'' Dolphins coach Tony Sparano said. "It might not be popular with everybody, but that's what I like to do. There are some teams in this league that got very far being able to do it."

Sparano knows who he is. That's his charm. He's either winning this way or going down in the LaBrea tar pit with this game plan.

No one questions that the Dolphins need to run the ball better, considering how poorly they did it last year. And you can make a case that teams like Pittsburgh and the New York Jets still follow that old-fashioned business model.

There's a significant difference, though. Pittsburgh took Ben Roethlisberger with the 11th overall pick (the team's highest in the last decade) and rides his arm. The Jets' first move under new management was to trade up to get quarterback Mark Sanchez.

In the last decade, the Dolphins have used a first-round pick on almost everything but a quarterback. That includes three first-round picks on running backs, three on cornerbacks, two on offensive tackles and one on a receiver and defensive lineman.

Instead, they've tried to get lucky by using five second-round picks on quarterbacks. This isn't to dismiss Henne. Sparano is right when he says Henne will get another chance. Seriously, what's the downside now?

But it's one thing to say you need to run the ball and Henne deserves another look. It would be quite another to ignore how, once again, the Dolphins could get a quarterback worth taking.

There are big plusses and obvious questions to the games of Cam Newton, Blaine Gabbert, Jake Locker, Ryan Mallett and Christian Ponder. Of those, Mallett and Ponder look to be the most obvious hopes for the Dolphins.

General Manager Jeff Ireland and Sparano have the most information and the most riding on the decision. Once again, what they do will define what they value. Maybe Henne still becomes a top-tier quarterback, as Sparano said.

But until you have a quarterback, you better keep taking one. Sparano talked at the NFL meetings about everything but a new quarterback. That doesn't change the fact that the Dolphins need to draft one.
« Last Edit: March 23, 2011, 10:44:01 pm by Fish Fiend »
Keep up the good work Matt Moore!

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Fish Fiend

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Hey Ross! You want a bunch of empty seats at JRS Stadium? Keep Henne as the QB and continue to run Sparano's 3 yardds and a cloud of dust(Marlins Infield STILL) offense. I don't know what to do with Henne but I don't want him under center. HE STINKS! Plus now we know he has a big mouth to go along with his walnut sized brain.
Keep up the good work Matt Moore!

Fish Fiend

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And NO Dave Hyde we don't need to GET a QB high. WE need to DRAFT a quarterback high. You ignoramus!
Keep up the good work Matt Moore!

Fish Fiend

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Dolphins coach Tony Sparano supports Chad Henne, defends Brandon Marshall’s outbursts


By Ben Volin

Chad Henne’s tenure as the Dolphins’ unquestioned quarterback of the future is over after one disappointing season. But the Dolphins haven’t given up on Henne, either. Tony Sparano said Tuesday morning at the NFL owners’ meetings that while the Dolphins will open the quarterback position to a competition in 2011, Henne, entering his fourth season, “absolutely deserves a chance” to prove himself again next season.

“From our end, does he deserve the opportunity? No question about it,” said Sparano, speaking publicly about the 2010 season for the first time since the season ended. “There’s other players that are pretty good quarterbacks in this league, that if I remember correctly, like their first year in the league were 3-13 (Peyton Manning). So when you come in and you’re trying to get this thing done, all you have to do is you have to go back through the 900 and something snaps that this guy has played, and say, ‘Did he show progress, did he get better in different areas? And yes, he did.’”

The message from the Dolphins’ brass about Henne has been consistent – he is the guy for now, but he has to win the job come training camp.

General manager Jeff Ireland said at the NFL Scouting Combine that quarterback “is obviously a position we’re going to look hard at” but that “we’re committed to (Henne) right now.” Owner Stephen Ross said Monday at the owners’ meetings that “He’ll be competing with someone, I know that. If he’s the best guy that we can find to put in that position, and he’s demonstrated that, I have no problem with that.”

Sparano, though, supported Henne more than his bosses did. Sparano said he understands why the expectations are higher for Henne – the quarterback often takes a disproportionate amount of credit in the good times and blame in the bad times – but reiterated that Henne, with just 27 career starts (and a 13-14 record), is still developing.

“What you’re trying to do is develop young players, and I realize that the quarterback position everyone wants to happen yesterday,” Sparano said. “Sometimes Chad, he gets hit over the head with a baseball bat through some of this, but it comes with the nature of the position.”

No player was more outwardly frustrated with Henne and the 2010 season than Brandon Marshall. The Dolphins’ star receiver was seen arguing with Henne on the sideline several times at the end of the season, then ignored him completely in the season finale at New England, then said in a post-mortem radio interview that he felt more comfortable with Tyler Thigpen at quarterback.

“All year we’ve been on different pages,” Marshall said after the season-ending loss to the Patriots.

But Sparano defended Marshall’s outbursts and said he isn’t worried about Henne and Marshall co-existing next year.
Brandon Marshall yelled at Chad Henne a few times, but Tony Sparano didn't think it was a big deal.

“Who doesn’t yell at Henne, right? Maybe the head coach is the only one,” Sparano said. “Of course everybody was frustrated. … I give them both credit, because they have the ability to speak their mind to each other, but then at the same time put their arm around each other and yuk it up.”

“What Chad has been really good about has been keeping a level head on the sideline and really making sure that he’s getting the information from the coaches more than anything else.”

Sparano said he hasn’t talked to Henne much this offseason, even though Henne said earlier this month that he has been working feverishly with offensive coordinator Brian Daboll to learn the new playbook before the lockout began. Sparano certainly didn’t mention anything about Henne taking a vacation to the Bahamas, where he got caught having a little harmless fun by the gossip website TMZ.

“Honestly, I haven’t talked to him and I don’t really know where he is right now,” Sparano said. “If I know him how I know Chad, I would just say he’s about his business, doing whatever it is that they’re doing right now and working.”

Sparano said that Henne, who threw 15 touchdowns against 19 interceptions in 2010, improved in a handful of areas in 2010 – particularly with completion percentage (career-high 61.4), intermediate-range passes and in decision-making.

“He completed a higher percentage of intermediate passes, which doesn’t make the fans happy and doesn’t make evidently a lot of people happy, but it should because it’s a sign of progress,” Sparano said. “Other areas I thought he improved on was his ability to move in the pocket and create space. When you look at the number of sacks we had and the number of sacks avoided, the throwaways (league-high 26), those were the areas that he improved on.”

But Sparano conceded that Henne still has room to improve, particularly with the “impulse throw” that could lead to an interception, and with passes over 20 yards, in which Henne was just 10-of-40 for one touchdown and three interceptions.

“What he didn’t do was complete the deep pass more frequently,” Sparano said. “Some of that is on us for the number of opportunities. There’s just a lot of factors, but when you get the green light, you’ve got to make the play, and Chad would tell you that.”
« Last Edit: March 23, 2011, 10:46:37 pm by Fish Fiend »
Keep up the good work Matt Moore!

Fish Fiend

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I don't know if y'all (well assuming anyone actually will ever read this) heard but Chad Henne was photographed in the Bahamas dancing with balloons stuffed up under his shirt. The photo was posted on a site called TMZ ??? Anyway here is an article on it...........

Chad Henne Found in Bahamas Dancing With Fake Boobs
By Michael J. Mooney, Wed., Mar. 23 2011 @ 6:49AM

​Dolphins fans haven't seen moves like this from Chad Henne since... yeah, never. Nor is he usually that calm under pressure. Yes, NFL players are currently locked out, and even if that weren't the case, Henne's job would be in jeopardy. But the robotic one was spotted this week in the Bahamas, partying it up like, well, like a young man on spring break.

Unfortunately for Henne, there are photos, and they include him dancing around with two balloons stuffed into his shirt like fake boobs.
 
TMZ broke the story early yesterday morning, going with the obvious "making a boob of himself" headline. The Herald went with the predictable "Henne acts like a boob" in a blog post about the photos in which Armando Salguero asks coach Tony Sparano what he thinks.

From that post:

    "My problem is I don't have the ability to talk to him so I really can't comment on this right now," Sparano said.

    I asked, "I assume that's not what you want to see from your quarterback?"

    "Good assumption," Sparano answered.

    Sparano is indeed in a tough spot. He obviously isn't happy Henne is seen in this pose. Fact is, Sparano spent part of his early-morning press breakfast with writers talking about how he's sure Henne is working hard to improve his game.


This week also brought news that the Bengals aren't interested in trading Carson Palmer, which is unfortunate for Dolphins fans, because he may have been a nice fit. Either way, if the lockout lasts longer than expected or even if the management just wises up and cuts bait with Henne, this very well may be the last South Florida sees of this guy.

Fair to say Henne gives new meaning to the word "bust"? Sorry...
Keep up the good work Matt Moore!

westtex

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what big ole boob! >:(


westtex

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saw another article where Sporano says Henne will have stiff competition at QB this year, so it looks like they will bring someone in besides Penny and Thiggy.

Fish Fiend

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Good!

I just checked out a mock draft that has NO QB's taken before the Dolphins pick and us taking Colin Kaepernick at 15.

 15. Miami Dolphins - Colin Kaepernick, QB, Nevada Wolf Pack: We still believe the Dolphins could trade out of this spot to pick up more selections in this year's draft. Kaepernick could be a player they trade back to nab. Even if they stay at this spot, they may be forced to take Kaepernick here given that he'll likely be long gone before Miami selects again in the third round. His stock could also continue to climb to the point that Miami would have to select him here even if they are able to procure a second round selection. We like him as the top quarterback in this year's class and we're sure we aren't the only ones.

http://www.xtrapointfootball.com/201103271142/2011-articles/march/2011-nfl-mock-draft-55.html

Isn't the guy from Mizzou supposed to be better'n him?   Gabbert I think is his name....

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Isn't that how the saying goes..............
« Last Edit: March 28, 2011, 06:57:46 am by Fish Fiend »
Keep up the good work Matt Moore!

Fish Fiend

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From that mock draft, here is what it says about Gabbert, and they have Pete Carrolls Seahawks taking him at 23

Seattle Seahawks - Blaine Gabbert, QB, Missouri Tigers: We've stated numerous times our feelings on Gabbert. We think he's this years' Jimmy Clausen, Brady Quinn, Alex Smith, etc. He's being over-hyped and he'll probably be over-drafted. We could have easily put Jake Locker here, but some team will over draft Gabbert and we believe that role is perfect for Pete Carroll.
Keep up the good work Matt Moore!

Sherif

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I think that site is just trying to say something different about QB's.  I think Ryan Mallett would be a good pick at QB.  He's the one said to have drug issues, kind of like the talk about Marino.  Mallett has the skills and played in a pro style system, but he gets flustered under pressure.

CBS has Ingram rated 12 so he may not drop to us at 15 and I think we should take a QB with the first pick anyway.

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/prospectrankings

Fish Fiend

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I think that site is just trying to say something different about QB's.  I think Ryan Mallett would be a good pick at QB.  He's the one said to have drug issues, kind of like the talk about Marino.  Mallett has the skills and played in a pro style system, but he gets flustered under pressure.

CBS has Ingram rated 12 so he may not drop to us at 15 and I think we should take a QB with the first pick anyway.

http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/prospectrankings

So much for that sherif. I'm not gonna cry too hard over spilled milk tho. Pouncey will be a good OL for years to come. I just hope that Mallet doesn't end up making us look like fools(Kind of like Drew Brees did). Anyway here is some poop from another site:
************************************************************************
This is from a blog so you know, take it with a grain of salt - Dolphinsgab.com
http://tinyurl.com/3zzvvot

Henne Likely to Get Another Year as Fins Starter
May 9th, 2011 Matt Loede Posted in News

It appeared during the offseason that Dolphins quarterback Chad Henne would lose his job as the starter.

According to Armando Salguero of the Miami Herald, barring the acquisition of a quarterback, the chances of Henne being the starter in 2011 are greater than the chances he is replaced.

Despite the likelihood that nearly a dozen or so quarterbacks will be available once the league year kicks off, the Dolphins might be looking at only one or two as realistic competition for incumbent Chad Henne.

While most fans throw out names such as Kevin Kolb and Donovan McNabb as viable and preferable replacements to Henne as the starter, the truth is neither of those two is likely to end up in Miami.

McNabb seems best suited for a team such as Minnesota. The Vikings are a talented, veteran team with a young quarterback-in-waiting but a window of opportunity that is closing.

Kolb is expected to be available via trade – just not to the Dolphins. That trade doesn’t make sense for Miami because Kolb will likely cost a first-round pick and possibly more.
Keep up the good work Matt Moore!

Fish Fiend

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If there is any truth to the above post we better warn Mrs. Pizza Boy to keep her hubby away from the sharp knife drawer and get a trigger lock for the shotgun. Well there are no tall buildings where HE lives so no worries there ;D

On the other hand morkyH will be ecstatic and his keyboard will get sticky from Henne luv pearl drops. Yeeeuck!
Keep up the good work Matt Moore!

Sherif

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So much for that sherif. I'm not gonna cry too hard over spilled milk tho. Pouncey will be a good OL for years to come. I just hope that Mallet doesn't end up making us look like fools(Kind of like Drew Brees did). Anyway here is some poop from another site:
I read Salagaro's blog naming Palmer as the best available option and I agree and I agree with you Fish Fiend.  I'm still going to back whoever is QB and I'm hoping that Pouncey,  Thomas, Gates and Clay along with Odrick and Edds all make a difference.  If our offense is potent, it's going to show in pre season.  That BS about them not trying to show what they have is nonsense.  If the offense can't score TD's in pre season and we get the Sparano fist pump for FG's in pre season, then we'll know we have a problem.
« Last Edit: May 10, 2011, 09:53:10 pm by Sherif »

Dolphin

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I'd go Thigpen over Henne

Henne just scares me.. I was so rooting for him after not liking the orginal pick when he was drafted.

He cannot complete the deep ball so there is no threat.

 




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