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Why Beck Needs Henne To Play Well

Discussion in 'Miami Dolphins Forum' started by Bpk, Aug 18, 2008.

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  1. Bpk

    Bpk Premium Member Luxury Box

    [Let me preface this by saying I do not believe we will carry four quarterbacks through the season. Okay, that said...]

    Why Beck Needs Henne To Play Well

    Odd as it sounds, I think Beck's job depends on Chad Henne... but not in the way you would expect.

    Sparano won't enter the season with the oft-injured, older Pennington backed up by two unproven young QBs. He needs a #2 who he is certain can run the team if Pennington goes down for the season.

    Right now, the man with the experience and the resume to be that #2 is Josh McCown. Of course, if McCown became the #2, then Henne would be #3 as it stands right now.

    BUT....

    I think Sparano would rather keep Beck than McCown. That means Sparano has to be sure Henne proves he can handle being a #2 (Pennington's insurance policy).

    This is why Henne is getting an extended look from the coaches right now. Henne is closer than Beck to having the staff's confidence as the back-up. They are seeing if he is steady enough to be the #2 guy this season.

    If Henne plays reliably enough this pre-season, we will cut McCown. We won't need him.

    But, if Henne looks shaky or unreliable, we must keep McCown as our #2. That would mean Henne becomes our #3 and we would cut or trade John Beck.

    Thus, as odd as it sounds, John Beck *needs* Chad Henne play great. He *needs* Chad Henne to decisively win that #2 job.

    If Henne does it, Beck stays. If Henne doesn't, well....
     
  2. like2god

    like2god Typical white person Luxury Box

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    I don't know, I see what you're saying, but I think McCown has played himself out of a job by not looking any better than the two younger guys. If he was playing better than the youngin's then I would say that you were spot on. At this point he really isn't any better than Henne or Beck and therefor wouldn't really be any different insurance-wise. JMO though. :wink2:
     
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  3. calphin

    calphin deadly at 250 yards!!

    Thats a good way of looking at it. I hadn't looked at it that way until now, and you may very well be right.
     
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  4. alen1

    alen1 New Member

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    I don't know how to feel about the Quarterbacks on the roster (other than Pennington). We know Henne will stick but do you want him to be out there if or when Pennington goes down? Beck is talented but plays like he has a dynamite in his hand so you don't know if he can get the job done if or when he is inserted into the lineup. McCown has bad, just bad. He was brought in here to be the veteran presence but hasn't been able to beat out the other two young guys thus far. He's been an inconsistent Quarterback for his career, night-and-day performances. I honestly don't know what to make of the backup Quarterback competition, I really don't.
     
  5. Bpk

    Bpk Premium Member Luxury Box


    I think that this is essentially a risk assessment issue for the organization.

    While I agree on Beck and McCown probably offering similar levels of performance ability if they played this year, we have to look at it from the viewpoint of the front office and coaches.

    On the one hand there is the low-risk, known quantity (i.e. you know what type of production you will get) in McCown almost definitely delivering a mediocre performance (based on track record and experience).

    On the other hand you have a higher-risk with Beck's performance this year being better or worse than medicore (though with more long term potential for being very good if kept around).


    As a business decision, it's about risk tolerance and your philosophy. I feel that Sparano is unlikely to risk having both Henne (the rookie) and Beck (shaky track record) backing up an oft-injured Pennington. IF Henne is not thoroughly impressive this pre-season then I think the organization needs to keep McCown (though, personally, I prefer Beck... but I am willing to take that risk).

    Now, if Henne simply plays good fundamental football (with an emphasis on good game management and good decisions), then he becomes lower risk and that allows you to take more risk on your #3 QB. If Henne impresses, Beck stays.

    Many might disagree with my labelling McCown a lower risk than Beck. By 'high risk' and 'low risk', I am *not* referring to the chances of them playing great or poorly. I am referring to *predictability* of performance level. McCown is *likely* to perform at an average level, with a passer rating in the mid 70's. Beck... who knows? He might do worse, he might do better. That is higher-risk.

    So... gamblers tend to prefer Beck, insurance adjusters prefer McCown, I suppose.

    Pick your side.

    Either way, Henne has his chance to win the #2 slot now and the result will determine Josh and John's fates with the team.
     
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  6. Bpk

    Bpk Premium Member Luxury Box

    Honestly, I am no fan of mediocrity. Beck has way more upside. I would keep Beck and release McCown at the end of camp. As Machiavellian as this sounds, other teams are less likely to pick him up at all if you release him once the season starts, because he would be months behind in learning their playbooks. Then, maybe he doesn't get picked up and he is available for you later if you need to re-sign him.

    Probably, though, someone signs McCown.

    Either way., I prefer Beck over McCown. Heck, Henne will develop faster being a #2 than being a #3 behind McCown anyways. As a #2 he'll see more snaps all the time to keep him ready. At #3 he will be running the scout team or something.

    Penny
    Henne
    Beck

    That's what I want. (Sorry, Josh)
     
  7. alen1

    alen1 New Member

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    Yeah but do you want Henne possibly playing in his rookie season?
     
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  8. like2god

    like2god Typical white person Luxury Box

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    You talk about risk, IMO Pennington is as risky as any of them. :wink2:

    Most teams feel that they need 3 QB's going into a season as insurance in the unlikely event that their starter goes down. In Penny's case he has only played 1 full season in his 9 year NFL career and the likelihood of him getting injured is higher than most QB's in the league based on his history. Miami is taking a big risk because the reward is so high, but I don't know if they are counting on him to stay healthy for a whole season. So I could see the Phins holding onto all 4 QB's as insurance and the "we need 3 QB's" would still apply. Although my gut still says that McCown is the odd man out.
     
  9. Bpk

    Bpk Premium Member Luxury Box

    Normally I would say no. Look at John Beck.


    For some reason, thus far, I feel like Henne could handle it, even if he struggled some.
     
  10. Bpk

    Bpk Premium Member Luxury Box


    This is the best argument for why we may, indeed, hold on to 4 QB's this year.

    I still count it as unlikely, and think we would sooner trade Beck for a 5th round pick.

    The issue is, who is more important to me, the #4 QB who never sees the field, or that sixth D-lineman rotating in 6 or seven snaps a game and on special teams, or even that 5th cornerback who is also a special teams ace and plays 12 snaps every game?

    Would I rather cut McCown or Davone Bess?

    Roster spots are precious and I would reserve them for those who are on the field most.
     
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  11. alen1

    alen1 New Member

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    We'll see, I don't want him to end up like Beck lol.
     
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  12. like2god

    like2god Typical white person Luxury Box

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    True, but I think that the flexibility of some of our players (like Roth as DE/LB) will open up a roster spot allowing us to keep 4 QB's. :wink2:
     
  13. Bpk

    Bpk Premium Member Luxury Box


    Could be. This staff is great at maximizing roster flexibility.

    As long as they don't cut anyone who won't clear waivers.

    Bess wouldn't clear waivers, imo. Junior Glymph might not, or might. etc.
     
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  14. like2god

    like2god Typical white person Luxury Box

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    Yeah, there is no way Bess would clear, but I think he makes the team anyway. But would you rather have a young QB with talent and potential or a guy like Glymph?
     

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