vinivedivichi
So you're telling me there's a chance...
- Joined
- Jul 21, 2005
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I think Dolphin fans are generally split regarding the fins' recent acquisition of Chad Pennington. Although I admit I wasn't crazy about the idea of signing Pennington, the more I think about the move the more it grows on me. There are a few reasons this makes a lot of sense for us:
1). Pennington is a better quarterback than McCown. I think most fans would acknowledge that Pennington gives us a better chance to win this year, and that's important even for a rebuilding team.
Because Pennington is a better quarterback than McCown, he will have an easier time legitimately winning the starting job. Therefore, we no longer have a competition. The rest of camp will consist of Pennington getting acquainted with the first team offense and Beck and Henne getting the opportunity to learn. The first team offense can build cohesion and the other guys can worry about getting better without so much pressure on their shoulders.
Henne was never going to start anyway, no matter how good he looked in camp. Beck had a shot, but as soon as he showed residual effects from last year I think it made sense to give him more time to regain his confidence and learn the system. As much as I wanted to see Beck start, I think it makes sense to let him get more comfortable so we don't throw him out lo the wolves like Cam did last year.
2). Having an established quarterback allows our young non-quarterback players on offense to develop. This is something that is already being overlooked, as evidenced by the "I thought we were rebuilding...what's the point of getting a quarterback over 30" type comments.
Anybody remember how bad an offense can look with a rookie quarterback at the helm? How much opportunity does a wide receiver get to shine? How bad can a rookie quarterback make the offensive line look if he's not ready?
With Pennington we don't have those issues. Will Ginn/Hagan break out this year? Impossible to tell, but Pennington gives both guys the better chance to break out. He is an NFL quarterback that can help develop our young players on offense by exposing them to what an offense is supposed to look like. If they get open, he'll get the ball to them.
Wouldn't it be nice to have Beck/Henne step in next year and us be able to count on guys like Hagan and Ginn to get open? Wouldn't it be nice for them to gain confidence with a veteran quarterback, so when our young quarterbacks step in they are not surrounded by inexperienced/unproven youngsters?
I think this is a good move for us. It makes us better in 2008, and it lays the foundation for a more confident offense in 2009. I'm liking the move more and more as time passes.
1). Pennington is a better quarterback than McCown. I think most fans would acknowledge that Pennington gives us a better chance to win this year, and that's important even for a rebuilding team.
Because Pennington is a better quarterback than McCown, he will have an easier time legitimately winning the starting job. Therefore, we no longer have a competition. The rest of camp will consist of Pennington getting acquainted with the first team offense and Beck and Henne getting the opportunity to learn. The first team offense can build cohesion and the other guys can worry about getting better without so much pressure on their shoulders.
Henne was never going to start anyway, no matter how good he looked in camp. Beck had a shot, but as soon as he showed residual effects from last year I think it made sense to give him more time to regain his confidence and learn the system. As much as I wanted to see Beck start, I think it makes sense to let him get more comfortable so we don't throw him out lo the wolves like Cam did last year.
2). Having an established quarterback allows our young non-quarterback players on offense to develop. This is something that is already being overlooked, as evidenced by the "I thought we were rebuilding...what's the point of getting a quarterback over 30" type comments.
Anybody remember how bad an offense can look with a rookie quarterback at the helm? How much opportunity does a wide receiver get to shine? How bad can a rookie quarterback make the offensive line look if he's not ready?
With Pennington we don't have those issues. Will Ginn/Hagan break out this year? Impossible to tell, but Pennington gives both guys the better chance to break out. He is an NFL quarterback that can help develop our young players on offense by exposing them to what an offense is supposed to look like. If they get open, he'll get the ball to them.
Wouldn't it be nice to have Beck/Henne step in next year and us be able to count on guys like Hagan and Ginn to get open? Wouldn't it be nice for them to gain confidence with a veteran quarterback, so when our young quarterbacks step in they are not surrounded by inexperienced/unproven youngsters?
I think this is a good move for us. It makes us better in 2008, and it lays the foundation for a more confident offense in 2009. I'm liking the move more and more as time passes.