Henning Should Be Licking His Chops In 2010
By author
Heading into Training Camp, Miami Dolphins Offensive Coordinator Dan Henning should be licking his chops. If Miami can avoid injuries in the upcoming 2010 season, they should have one of the most balanced offensive attacks in the NFL.
Henning is entering his 3rd season at the helm of the Miami offense, and has clearly shown he can play with what he has. In 2008, with Miami led by the ever accurate passing of Chad Pennington, Miami ranked 10th in the league in passing with 227 ypg. Their rushing attack that year? It ranked 11th with 118.6 ypg.
During the 3rd week of the 2009 NFL season, Pennington went down with a season ending shoulder injury, enter Chad Henne. With Henne at the helm, Henning had to adjust his offense to match Henne’s ability. Miami relied on the success of the running game, moving up from 11th to 4th in the NFL. The passing game however, dropped from 10th to 20th under the 1st year starter.
It’s hard to believe Chad Henne won’t improve on his performance from 2009. He has a year of experience as a starter, in which he showed a ton of promise. He had 2 major problems last year, he played from behind too often, and he didn’t have a go to target when he needed one. The addition of Brandon Marshall instantly makes him the go to target, while I believe the hiring of Defensive Coordinator Mike Nolan will help shore up the defense.
These additions will do nothing but help Henning and the Miami offense in 2010. If Henne progresses, Miami will be tough to stop because of how well Henning can game plan. Can you imagine having a passing game with a strong armed quarterback like Henne and a receiver like Marshall? Not to mention a rushing attack with Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams. And then there’s the Wildcat, with a (keep your fingers crossed) healthy Ronnie Brown, who can absolutely execute the Wildcat better than any other running back in the NFL. Oh yeah, and the talk entering training camp is how much Pat White has improved!
How can you possibly game plan for this as a defensive coordinator? Henne passing to Marshall, Hartline, Camarillo, and Bess, or handing off to Ronnie and Ricky. Ronnie Brown slithering through holes out of the Wildcat. Ricky Williams getting the hand off on the end around. Pat White running the option with Ronnie Brown, and suddenly throwing a pass to Brandon Marshall. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? Then throw in Lousaka in short yardage and a healthy Patrick Cobbs…..WOW!
If Miami’s defense can prevent them from playing from behind, their offense will have a chance to be the most balanced attack in the NFL. Henning will have the option to either adjust to what the defense gives him, or have the luxury of imposing his will on his opponents. If he has more games that fall into the luxury category, he may be joining Miami in sizing up a 3rd Super Bowl ring!
Phins Up!
BEL