backup NT and backup center are our biggest concerns

I think every season is interesting because of all the changes that happen each year. IMO the Defensive Pass Rush and the O-line health will be the keys to either a great or poor season.

No disrespect to Penny but I do think the team could keep moving with Henne and a solid O-line play. We won last season with mediocre WR play so I think we could make the playoffs with similar production and the best way to hide a weak secondary is to have a great pass rush

I think we have one of the best (if not the best) safety tandum in the league. I think that will greatly benefit Vontea Davis and Sean Smith. A pass rush wouldn’t hurt either, but with Taylor back, Roth, Crowder, and Porter (not to mention Wake which could step up and be a decent linebacker). Even if we get a decent pass rush I think Davis and Smith can learn and step in rather quickly. Bell and Wilson really help them out though.

Great article. The only part that threw me off was about the offensive line potentially not clicking. There is no way in the world. The O-Line is the greatest strength of the team. This dolphins team is destined to to win the Superbowl for the following reasons:

1.) The Superbowl is in there house
2.) The Ravens are going to be worse than last year, losing Rex Ryan
3.) The Patriots Defense is average at best, there entire secondary consists on new players
4.) The Dolphins are the deepest team in the NFL and have the toughest schedule in the League,and playing the best competition every single week can only make you better.
5.) Pat White will be the X – Factor each and every game, and he will produce. Check out this video…and tell me he is not a game changer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ueAQJUieGI

(and there ALWAYS is a but – ’cause we all have one!) I am less concerned than you about CP10 getting injured.

I think Henne playing opens up defenses for 2 reasons.
1 – they have to respect his arm (just like Marino in the ancient days)
2 – by giving that respect it opens up possibilities for Ronnie and RunRickyRun and Polite et al more.

In that respect we could have a throwback style offense a la 72/73/74 Dolphins. We have multiple run threats which can take it to the house pretty much at will if the D is open enough and out O line stays healthy.

Henne doesn’t HAVE to throw all the time, so he can keep the # of INTs down and the O moving down the field. I think with Henne on the field we rely less on the Wildcat, because we can. Easier to smoke the D if they have the wrong players on the field against the Wildcat.

All that said, CP10 DESERVES to be the starter this year. He has earned it and the respect of ALL Dolphans.

Henne will be better with another year as understudy. I am simply less worried than others with him stepping up if needed.

and giving his best all the time. In the current NFL FB is a lead blocker, QB protector and very short yardage gainer. They NEVER put up huge #’s and are often overlooked for their contribution. In fact, IMHO, the most overlooked and underrated position on any team.

" But let’s face it – he’s as unproven as it gets and, even if he does develop into an elite QB, it’s not likely that he could play at that high level immediately in 2009"

We have had this debate a ton of times here but what makes you think that Henne will have an immediate impact in 2010 by sitting 1 more year? If you don’t think he would have an immediate impact in 2010, then why not put him in now?

Also, the WR group would need to develop timing patterns with a new QB next year which may slow things down, why not take the lumps this year, so that next year we are that much closer? Seems logical to me.

Of course Penne is better then Henne right now….Penne has 85 career starts and Henne has none.

If we never see Henne in a game, then we would never see how good or bad he is.

The one thing I have never heard is that anyone thinks that Henne cannot play in this league. Let me know if I’m mistaken. Looking at the arm of Henne, 1 yr removed from college, you can see the arm, distance wise, seems to be way better then Penni. Penni is accurate and smart. 2 huge intagibles. Don’t know about Henne yet because we haven’t seen him.

As well, the reason we lost to Baltimore in the playoffs last year was on Penni. He tried to make throws he could not make. The def stepped clogged the box and forced him to throw it deep…I beleive he had 4 picks. Sure you can argue that they wern’t all his fault, but….

Just for the record, I love Penni. But I love the Dolphins more.

if he plays good i will do the dumb thing and scream for him to be put in right away. and if we lose a game with penne starting i will blame it on them not starting henne =D
and if we start henne and he does bad i will say to the FO:im a stupid fan what are u listening to me for?

Joey Porter disappeared from games last year when offenses could roll protection to his side. Look what happened last year with Chargers and no Merriman – no sacks from the other side.

The rushers only work well when you can squeeze from both sides or put pressure also up the middle.

I’m a fan and hopeful for a good season but if the QB doesn’t struggle and both sides of the line are good and WR’s step up and new CB do well and we can pressure the QB. I think the only thing we left out was specail teams.

If I had a wish list, it’s win a playoff game this year and really challenge next year. With the foundation they are building I think this is realistic

1. Running Backs – If Ronnie and Ricky do well running the ball, this will keep our defense fresh, and less time for the other teams to pass on us.
2. Linebackers – Whether it’s is stopping the run or putting pressure on the QB, these guys are key. I wouldnt say one aspect is more important than the other.
3. Turn-overs – we had a great year with keeping the Ball safe and having a great take away ratio. This is probably the most important factor to the team’s success.

What do you guys think about re-signing Pennington for 2 more years, even though Henne starts in 2010. You know that way if Henne has a bad set of downs he has someone to go to for help. You think Pennington would be willing to do that, also noting that he would more than likely take a pay cut.

You forgot to mention what a great boost in team morale and performance would occur if we just mailed Ernest Wilford his checks and told him to stay home.

I’ll still be worried if Ike or whats his face has to start