Miami Dolphins want to keep Chad Henne as quarterback
Even after a very disappointing 2010 season, Miami Dolphins’ general manager Jeff Ireland says that the team will keep their plans the same, with Chad Henne as the potential starting quarterback.
The Dolphins will be looking for a new quarterback but Ireland says that he likes the potential that Henne has.
"He has all the ability in the world," Ireland said. "We've just got to put a plan together and an offensive philosophy that fits Chad Henne, and I think we'll do that."
Henne had started 14 of the 16 games last season for the Dolphins, who finished in second to last in the entire AFC. He had been benched twice over the season for insufficient performance, lost support from Brandon Marshall, the Dolphins’ leading receiver
and threw 19 interceptions.
Miami owner Stephen Ross has made a promise that their offensive line will be more exciting, creative and aggressive in the 2011 season. Ireland said that Henne is a factor for this improvement, but alternatives will certainly be considered.
"He has shown some aggressive tendencies," Ireland said. "He has shown some exciting throws. The quarterback position is obviously a very important position. We'll evaluate what's out there, like we do every position, in free agency and the draft."
Ireland also did not rule out signing Tyler Thigpen and Chan Pennington, who will become free agents after the 2010 season is officially over. Pennington took the Dolphins to the playoffs in 2008 and will go through rigorous rehabilitation after having an
operation on his throwing shoulder for the fourth time.
"He has to get healthy, and that's going to be awhile," Ireland said. "So we're not rushing into any decision."
The team will focus on improving their speed, which also includes the skill positions on the offensive line. But Ireland said that the team may bring back Ricky Williams or Ronnie Brown, who are both free agent running backs.
The team will also try to get a Draft pick in the second round after they traded the pick to the Denver Broncos in the 2010 NFL Draft for Marshall.
After a 7-9 season, the Dolphins tried to acquire Jim Harbaugh as their head coach but after he signed with the San Francisco 49ers, they signed a contract extension with Tony Sparano.
"It's obviously a vote of confidence from the owner, and that's ultimately the guy you've got to make happy," Ireland said. "We've got some unfinished business here. We really look forward to getting this thing turned in the right direction."
Chad Henne was picked in the 2008 NFL Draft, pick number 57 overall in the second round. He signed to a $3.5 million, four year contract and was backup quarterback behind Pennington. In 2009, he had his first NFL start with a win over the Buffalo Bills.
He completed 14 out of 22 passing attempts and one touchdown. In his second start, they were the underdogs but still beat the New York Jets by four points. He completed 20 of his 26 passing attempts for 241 yards and two touchdowns. One touchdown was a 53
yard pass to Ted Ginn, Jr. he played better as the season went on. In Week 13 he threw for 335 yards. In Week 15, he had 349 yards in the air.
For the 2010 season, he lost the starting quarterback position to Pennington. However, on November 14, Henne came back in after Pennington reinjured his shoulder. Henne then injured his knee in the same game but was then back in action the next week with
a win over the Oakland Raiders.
Do you think that Chad Henne should be kept as the starting quarterback?
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