The Pennington Rationalization | FinHeaven - Miami Dolphins Forums

The Pennington Rationalization

vinivedivichi

So you're telling me there's a chance...
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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.
 
I mostly agree.

I particularly like the idea of having a clear starter to work with our offense consistently for the rest of practice, although I it is unfortunate that this couldn't have happened earlier in TC.

Still, the field did just get shorter, so some of those benefits are limited.
 
Pretty good post, but when are people going to realize there is no question as to who will be the guy down the line between Henne and Beck??? There is no Beck/Henne issue. Henne IS OUR QB of the future. Which is why I think it makes more sense to dump Beck and keep McCown as the backup for now.
 
Nice post and I agree. I feel bad that Beck is still phased from last year, although if he can't get over last year, then he will struggle to become a starting NFL QB. But remember, Steve Young seemed to have had a very similar start to his career. Well see how everything pans out.
 
Nice rationalization.

Here's a "realization" for you: You won't see a forward pass longer than 5 yards the entire season.

SAR I
 
Pretty good post, but when are people going to realize there is no question as to who will be the guy down the line between Henne and Beck??? There is no Beck/Henne issue. Henne IS OUR QB of the future. Which is why I think it makes more sense to dump Beck and keep McCown as the backup for now.


This is football...the best guy will win the job. Although I think the signs point to Henne being our future quarterback, I think Beck has a legitimate chance to be the long-term quarterback if he shows the front office that he can't be ignored. Beck is a smart guy with good tools and he's willing to work hard. More often than not guys like that develop into pretty good quarterbacks. I don't discount Henne the least bit, but I'm certainly not ready to give up on Beck.

And it makes almost no sense to keep McCown and dump Beck unless the coaches are absolutely convinced that Beck won't ever amount to anything in the NFL. As a rebuilding team it makes sense to develop your second and third string quarterbacks and hope that at least one of them pans out long term. What's the point of having a veteran backup?
 
Nice rationalization.

Here's a "realization" for you: You won't see a forward pass longer than 5 yards the entire season.

SAR I

Here is another realization for you. Brett Favre coming to the Jets is equivalent of your beloved Joe Namath going to the Los Angeles Rams. It's also the equivalent of Johnny Unitas going to the San Diego Chargers. I know, the truth hurts. But, if you honestly believe that an old Brett Favre who is going to a new system, new team, new city, and new coaching staff will magically put your franchise back in the playoff race, you're only kidding yourself.

The AFC is loaded with playoff teams, good luck in even getting a whiff.
 
Considering that I've been a member for about an hour, you tell me. Isn't it your bedtime, though?

SAR I


I think if you want to make it to hour #2 you'll need to loose the personal attacks. It probably won't be tolerated, and certainly is not appreciated.:err:
 
Pretty good post, but when are people going to realize there is no question as to who will be the guy down the line between Henne and Beck??? There is no Beck/Henne issue. Henne IS OUR QB of the future. Which is why I think it makes more sense to dump Beck and keep McCown as the backup for now.

Clearly just an opinion.
 
Pretty good post, but when are people going to realize there is no question as to who will be the guy down the line between Henne and Beck??? There is no Beck/Henne issue. Henne IS OUR QB of the future. Which is why I think it makes more sense to dump Beck and keep McCown as the backup for now.

This makes absolutely no football sense at all. Are you trying to break a stupid post record or something??

Here this is interesting information for you to try and understand:
"Dolphins head coach Tony Sparano has refused to reveal Saturday's quarterback plans, but ESPN.com has learned from multiple sources that before the Pennington deal was made, the coaching staff informed their quarterbacks Beck would play the first and third quarters, and Henne would play the second and fourth quarters, leaving McCown completely off the field."
 
What I like most about it is that we didn't give up a draft pick in a trade to get him....

and he's better than anything we have now
 
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