Chad Henne was supposed to be quarterbacking in Miami this weekend, but it was supposed to be as the Dolphins starter, not the Jaguars relief pitcher.
And he admitted that’s going to make it an special trip.
“There’s definitely going to be emotions,’’ Henne said, via Vito Stellino of the Florida Times-Union. “There will be a little bit more excitement and everything.’’
The Dolphins made a significant, and significantly wrong, decision in the 2008 Draft. Instead of taking Boston College quarterback Matt Ryan first overall, they took left tackle Jake Long and then Chad Henne in the second round.
To say Henne (13-18 record as a starter) didn’t work out as well as Ryan (54-21 with the Falcons) understates the case badly.
The Dolphins let Henne walk this offseason as a free agent, casting their lot with their next quarterback of the future, Ryan Tannehill.
There’s no ill will, but there’s a clear desire to prove them wrong.
“They gave me every opportunity,’’ Henne said. “They drafted me and I appreciate that, but sometimes things don’t work out and you move on. I think I learned a lot about myself. I learned about the league and the organization there. I take it as a positive. I appreciate the opportunity down there.’’
Now he’s trying to prove himself to the Jags, having played well replacing the injured Blaine Gabbert. Coach Mike Mularkey insisted Henne has a chance to make the job his own, saying he’s been impressed with the way Henne’s teammates have responded to him.
That didn’t happen in Miami.
“As a quarterback, you’re always going to be blamed. The head coach and the quarterback are determined by wins and losses and they’re going to keep you around if you win. If not, they are going to try to find someone else,’’ Henne said. “I’ll take the blame because I have no problems taking it, and I can live my life and move on with it. But the most important thing is improving each and every week. Not making the same mistakes and giving yourself a chance at the end.’’
This weekend, he has a chance to prove himself, such that quarterbacking the Jags is a fair chance.