Post-Marino, only Chad Pennington in 2008 has truly distinguished himself, although even Pennington was a caretaker, not the future, when his shoulder injury in Game 3 last season hastened what had been the unhurried development of Henne.
Miami dreams that Henne will become elite on the rare top tier with guys such as Manning, Brees, Tom Brady and now Aaron Rodgers.
They would be satisfied if he proved as reliably solid as more experienced contemporaries such as Joe Flacco and Matt Ryan.
For now, he must first distinguish himself from the likes of Josh Freeman of Tampa Bay, Kevin Kolb in Philadelphia, Matthhew Stafford of Detroit and, of course, the Jets' Mark Sanchez.
Dolphins left tackle Jake Long served the same role four seasons for Henne at the University of Michigan before both were drafted in 2008. That makes this the seventh consecutive season they have been teammates.
``We've climbed the same ladder together,'' Henne said.
Nobody knows Henne's game any better than Long and, a year ago as Pennington left the field injured and Henne warmed up, Long told his anxious teammates: ``I've seen this guy before. We're going to be all right.''
Results were mixed. Henne went 7-6 as a starter in 2009 with overall numbers (75.2 rating, 12 touchdowns against 14 interceptions) that were mediocre.
There were signs, though. The three 300-yard games. The franchise-record-tying 17 straight completions against Jacksonville. And a performance vs. the Jets -- 20 for 26, 241 yards, two TDs, no picks -- that made you think the future had arrived.
Earlier this training camp Long said, ``Chad Henne's not afraid of anything. Especially pressure.''
You want pressure?
This is the 37th season since Miami last won a Super Bowl, the 26th since last appearing in one and the 18th since reaching the AFC Championship Game.
That's a lot of waiting and want, and it is Henne's job to end it
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