Chad Henne...does he want the ball? | FinHeaven - Miami Dolphins Forums

Chad Henne...does he want the ball?

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Dolphins3

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Ok, I know this topic will infuriate some, make others mock, and raise some eye brows, and yet get otehrs to jump right in to conversation. What ball did Michigan use when Henne was there? I believe it was a Nike 3005 Collegiate ball. I ask because the nike 3005 is the same size as the Wilson 1005 which is on the small end of an official size football. The Wilson Duke NFL gameball is standard and is the same dimensions as a Wilson 1001. The 1005 ball is somewhat easier to grip and throw because of the smaller girth. For many NFL QB's with large hands, this is never an issue when making the transition from a Wilson 1005 pattern to the Wilson Duke (1001 size) pattern. Eli manning, for example, used the 1005 in college. However, Eli has a larger hand so the transition was simpler for him (Brady Quinn used a Wilson 1001 in college. He has struggled some, but the transition in ball size was seamless). Henne has a fairly small hand (very small by NFL standards). He had a 8 1/4" measurement at the senior bowl (hand size is measured from thumb to pinky when the hand is stretched out). I wonder if he has had any problems gripping the slightly larger NFL ball (the difference in size between the 1001 and 1005 is noticeable when gripping them.) Alex Smith is notorious for having a small hand and his measured 9 1/2". Culpepper's is the same (plus he has webbed fingers). The hand size led to fumbling issues with both men.

Now I know NFL prospects start throwing the NFL ball immediately once te college season ends so this should not be an issue. However, I think this is interesting and something to think about.

(I apologize for any minor errors in this post. The hand size measurements are from memory).

BTW, there is a great story about this issue that Mkie Ditka mentioned once on a pre-game show. When Buddy Ryan was coaching the Cardinals, they had a rookie QB (not sure of the name or if the kid was drafted or a FA) who wnet to Buddy for advice. Buddy asked what was wrong and the QB said "I can't grip the Wilson NFL football. Is there some othe rball I can throw?" Buddy looked at the guy and deadpanned "The Wilson NFL is what we use in the NFL." The guy was cut the next day.
 
Im glad we are turning the discussion away from the Penny/Ginn/Defense baching, but this one is kind of rediculious. The Ball size is fine, if he could not adjust, I doubt he would have been drafted and remained on the roster for two years now.
 
I think you have the clipboard confused with the ball. The size of the ball is assuredly the last of his worries. He has been practicing with the NFL balls for over a year, anyways. He doesn't want to be on the bench, he wants to play. And it's not like we drafted him this year. This thread would have more credibility if pertaining to White, but NOT much more at all.
 
Dolphins3 said:
Ok, I know this topic will infuriate some, make others mock, and raise some eye brows, and yet get otehrs to jump right in to conversation. What ball did Michigan use when Henne was there? I believe it was a Nike 3005 Collegiate ball. I ask because the nike 3005 is the same size as the Wilson 1005 which is on the small end of an official size football. The Wilson Duke NFL gameball is standard and is the same dimensions as a Wilson 1001. The 1005 ball is somewhat easier to grip and throw because of the smaller girth. For many NFL QB's with large hands, this is never an issue when making the transition from a Wilson 1005 pattern to the Wilson Duke (1001 size) pattern. Eli manning, for example, used the 1005 in college. However, Eli has a larger hand so the transition was simpler for him (Brady Quinn used a Wilson 1001 in college. He has struggled some, but the transition in ball size was seamless). Henne has a fairly small hand (very small by NFL standards). He had a 8 1/4" measurement at the senior bowl (hand size is measured from thumb to pinky when the hand is stretched out). I wonder if he has had any problems gripping the slightly larger NFL ball (the difference in size between the 1001 and 1005 is noticeable when gripping them.) Alex Smith is notorious for having a small hand and his measured 9 1/2". Culpepper's is the same (plus he has webbed fingers). The hand size led to fumbling issues with both men.

Now I know NFL prospects start throwing the NFL ball immediately once te college season ends so this should not be an issue. However, I think this is interesting and something to think about.

(I apologize for any minor errors in this post. The hand size measurements are from memory).

BTW, there is a great story about this issue that Mkie Ditka mentioned once on a pre-game show. When Buddy Ryan was coaching the Cardinals, they had a rookie QB (not sure of the name or if the kid was drafted or a FA) who wnet to Buddy for advice. Buddy asked what was wrong and the QB said "I can't grip the Wilson NFL football. Is there some othe rball I can throw?" Buddy looked at the guy and deadpanned "The Wilson NFL is what we use in the NFL." The guy was cut the next day.
Click to expand...


The only real problem QBS with small hands in the NFL have a problem with is fumbling. It is a real issue, but not that big of one. There are techniques NFL QBs with small hands can use to help control the fumbling and Henne grips the ball closer to the edge when he passes to compensate, which is perfectly fine.

Big hands don't make a great QB...LOL.
 
It is naive to think that hand size does not matter. It is no accident that every QB's hand is measured at the Combine.

I'm 6'4" with big (but not huge) hands and when young I could throw a NFL football when other teens could not.

You can put your hand further back on the ball to help you control it but someone with smaller hands is more likely to lose control while passing. Perfect weather in a dome is not a problem but add rain and even dirt and it can become one. The laces are even bigger on the NFL ball. QBs use the laces as a grip for the end of their fingers

Matt Stafford has a 10 inch hand
Josh Freeman was a 10 inch hand
Mark Sanchez has a 10 1/2 inch hand
Pat White has a 9 1/4 hand
Chase Daniel has a 9 1/4 hand


They also measure WR's hands

Brian Hartline has a 10 inch hand
Hakeem Nicks has a 10 1/2 hand
Louis Murphy (who I wanted over Pat Turner) has a 10 inch hand
Pat Turner has a 9 5/8 hand
Darrius Heyward-Bey's hand is only 9 inches

Is having a bigger hand going to make being a NFL player a sure thing? Of course not. But size does matter in many ways from height to weight and it all adds up.

If two players seemed equal I will always take the one that is a inch taller, weights 10 pounds more and has a larger hand.
 
I may be wrong, but when we brought Pennington in wasn't it 2 years for a reason? I thought that regardless of Henne's development, Pennington was going to be the starter for the 2 years of that contract and then ride off into the sunset? Like I said I may be wrong but I thought I remembered hearing that.
 
CashInFist said:
The only real problem QBS with small hands in the NFL have a problem with is fumbling. It is a real issue, but not that big of one. There are techniques NFL QBs with small hands can use to help control the fumbling and Henne grips the ball closer to the edge when he passes to compensate, which is perfectly fine.

Big hands don't make a great QB...LOL.
Click to expand...

No Kidding! Jim Druckenmiller had huge hands and was a bust (10 3/4").
 
RustyGator said:
Great thread. I love the technical analysis. Interesting theory for sure.
Click to expand...

It's really not a theory at all. Some of the thinking in this forum is a bit out there so thought this topic fit in nicely. This is a non-issue at this point. Period. If it was, Henne would have been let go a long time ago.
 
LikeUntoGod said:
It is naive to think that hand size does not matter. It is no accident that every QB's hand is measured at the Combine.

I'm 6'4" with big (but not huge) hands and when young I could throw a NFL football when other teens could not.

You can put your hand further back on the ball to help you control it but someone with smaller hands is more likely to lose control while passing. Perfect weather in a dome is not a problem but add rain and even dirt and it can become one. The laces are even bigger on the NFL ball. QBs use the laces as a grip for the end of their fingers

Matt Stafford has a 10 inch hand
Josh Freeman was a 10 inch hand
Mark Sanchez has a 10 1/2 inch hand
Pat White has a 9 1/4 hand
Chase Daniel has a 9 1/4 hand


They also measure WR's hands

Brian Hartline has a 10 inch hand
Hakeem Nicks has a 10 1/2 hand
Louis Murphy (who I wanted over Pat Turner) has a 10 inch hand
Pat Turner has a 9 5/8 hand
Darrius Heyward-Bey's hand is only 9 inches

Is having a bigger hand going to make being a NFL player a sure thing? Of course not. But size does matter in many ways from height to weight and it all adds up.

If two players seemed equal I will always take the one that is a inch taller, weights 10 pounds more and has a larger hand.
Click to expand...

Agreed. My hand is 9 3/16". I am 6'2" 290 lbs and play QB on my sandlot team (glorified sem-pro). The hand-size really only matters in bad weather conditions. One of the reasons Brett favre generally plays well in poor weather (with osme notable exceptions including the 2007 NFC Championship) is becaus eof his hand size. His paws are 10 5/8".
 
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