2011 Miami Dolphins Predictions: 10 Quarterbacks Who Could Replace Chad Henne
While we anxiously await the verdict on Tony Sparano's status for the 2011 season, it has become increasingly safe to assume that Chad Henne will not return as the team's starter next fall. In fact, he may not return at all.
Henne declined as the regular season progressed, finishing the year with a depressing 77.1 quarterback rating and a 15 to 18 touchdown-to-interception ratio. Although he was hampered by Dan Henning's indefensible play calling, Henne constantly looked overwhelmed, robotic and, well, bad.
Whether or not Miami pursues an established veteran or a college prospect may hinge on whether or not a new head coach rolls into town. If Stephen Ross retains Tony Sparano, he may have only one more year to show progress, making a veteran the logical path. However, a new coach will likely have no qualms drafting a quarterback with the 15th overall pick in April.
Fortunately for the Dolphins, there are a slew of quarterbacks both in the 2011 Draft class and floating around the league that could provide another potential answer to the post-Dan Marino puzzle. Ranked from least likely to most likely, here are 10 quarterbacks the Miami Dolphins could seek to replace Chad Henne.
No. 10 Kevin Kolb
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The likelihood of the Eagles parting ways with Kevin Kolb is slim, and the likelihood that he will be a Dolphin in 2011 is even slimmer.
Michael Vick has a history of injury issues, and Kolb provides a fairly solid insurance policy. But Vick is a free agent this summer, and although there is no reason to believe he will not re-sign with the Eagles, nothing is ever guaranteed in the NFL.
Regardless, the Eagles have historically placed an inflated price tag on Kolb, even though he is yet to prove that he is anything beyond hype. Kolb has started eight games for the Eagles, yet a Week 6 victory over the Falcons stands alone as the only truly impressive game of his four year career. If Kolb cannot consistently succeed in Philadelphia's loaded offense, it is hard to imagine he will be successful with Miami's futile unit.
No. 9 Tyler Thigpen
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The plausibility of a Tyler Thigpen era in Miami might have crumbled after his dreadful performance against the Patriots in Week 17. In Thigpen's defense, he was thrown into a game versus the best team in the NFL with an uninspired team behind him. An impossible task.
Jeff Ireland and Tony Sparano have stood firmly behind Thigpen's abilities, and the 'Fins backup has drawn some comparisons to Tony Romo due to his evasiveness. But a terrible performance against the Bears in Week 11 still lingers, and it is highly unlikely that any new coach will begin his tenure by starting Thigpen.
No. 8 Cam Newton
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Auburn's national championship run has inspired nationwide awe over quarterback Cam Newton's athletic prowess. Newton maintains possesses unfathomable speed for a 6'6", 250 pound quarterback, and his arm is almost equally as impressive. His potential makes any fan's mouth water.
Pundits have started speculating that Newton's accuracy is his Achilles' heel, but he did maintain a 67.1 percent completion rate backed by a 28-to-6 touchdown to interception ratio. Instead, his inexperience and spread offense background might deter many NFL teams, including the Dolphins.
Newton appears to be a bigger, stronger and faster version of Pat White. So, if Tony Sparano and company are retained, then his chances of landing in Miami are either very high or very low (depending on whether or not Ireland and Sparano are willing to gamble on another White-esque prospect). Whether or not Sparano stays or a new coach arrives, the chances of Newton becoming a Dolphin are low because it will take time for him to adapt from a spread offense to a pro style scheme, and patience is wearing thin in Miami.
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No. 7 Dennis Dixon
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Now that Ben Roethlisberger is thriving and all is well in Steeltown, back up quarterback Dennis Dixon could soon become a hot commodity on the NFL trade market.
Dixon filled in admirably for Roethlisberger both in 2009 and earlier this season. Filling in for an injured Roethlisberger last season, Dixon led the Steelers to an overtime loss against the Ravens in his first career start. This season, the former Oregon Duck led Pittsburgh to a Week 1 defeat over the Atlanta Falcons, but was injured in a Week 2 win against the Titans.
Dixon possesses a unique blend of speed and smarts that could inject some electricity into a dull Dolphins offense. Peter King donned Dixon a "great prospect" (take his word for what it's worth), and assuming the Steelers do not seek a grossly high price tag, he could land in Miami in 2011.
No. 6 Kyle Orton
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As the Tim Tebow era commences in Denver, the Kyle Orton era appears as if it is drawing to a rapid close.
Orton's name is already swirling atop trade rumor mills as a potential solution for almost any quarterback-hungry team's problems. It is unclear whether or not the Broncos' new head coach will favor trading or retaining Orton, but much of that will hinge on the coach's trust in Tim Tebow.
The Dolphins would immediately benefit from Orton's services. In just two years with the Broncos, he threw for 7,455 yards and 41 touchdowns, but failed to make a playoff appearance. An Orton-Dolphins marriage hit a major speed bump when Brandon Marshall told Jeff Darlington of the Miami Herald that he and his former quarterback "had ups and downs."
Although Miami should not let Marshall dictate which quarterback they pursue, his input should be considered. After all, he is one of the few players on this offense whose job is almost entirely safe for next season.
No. 5 Pat Devlin
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Three years ago, Penn State quarterback Pat Devlin lost the Nittany Lions quarterback job to upperclassman Daryll Clark. Few would blame Joe Pa for sticking with the agile and speedy Clark, but he might have overlooked Devlin, who is seething with talent.
Devlin promptly transferred to Delaware, where he threw for a whopping 5,935 yards and 42 touchdowns in 2010. Playing in the I-FCS subdivision, Devlin has flown under the national radar, but the hype will soon begin to grow, much like it did for his predecessor Joe Flacco.
Devlin still must decide if he wants to enter the NFL Draft with one year of eligibility remaining, but considering his draft stock might not rise much higher with another year at Delaware, there may to be a good chance he will declare. The Blue Hen's dominating play and impressive 6'4" stature makes him an enticing option for the 'Fins.
No. 4 Jake Locker
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Had Washington's Jake Locker declared for the NFL Draft last season, some speculated he could have been selected ahead of Sam Bradford. However, Locker returned to the Huskies for another year of grooming under head coach Steve Sarkisian, a decision that may cost him upwards of $10 million.
Locker's draft stock suffered greatly from a subpar 2010 season. Many have already discredited his NFL prospectus, but people are quick to forget that the Washington Huskies are not a top tier team, leaving the quarterback with limited on-field resources.
Although his 2010 stats are nothing to marvel at, Locker will likely retain a first round tag, and he could easily be available when the Dolphins pick 15th.
No. 3 Carson Palmer
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The Cincinnati Bengals might not be ready to part with him, but their long-time quarterback Carson Palmer might be ready to part with the Bengals. Palmer, who many had left for dead before two stellar performances to cap off 2010, is a free agent this summer, and his future with Cincinnati is currently unclear.
Palmer has failed to regain form since a devastating 2005 knee injury, but based on his play in Weeks 16 and 17, Chad Ochocinco and Terrell Owens may have been holding back. The former Heisman Trophy winner looked rejuvenated throwing to the likes of Jerome Simpson and Andre Caldwell these past few weeks, posting a season high 157.2 quarterback rating in an upset win over the Chargers in Week 16.
Ochocinco and Owens are not expected back in Cincinnati, which might persuade Palmer to stay; however, if he wants to win, he has a much better chance of doing so in Miami than with the rebuilding-bound Bengals. Palmer presents a great option for the Dolphins, and a change of scenery might be the final step in his career revival.
No. 2 Blaine Gabbert
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Every year, we encounter a few college prospects who experience lightning fast rises up draft boards. Missouri's Blaine Gabbert will be one of those players.
Gabbert has quietly led the Missouri Tigers to a 10-3 record (including their bowl game loss to Iowa), throwing for 3,186 yards and 16 touchdowns in the process. Impressive, but not earth shattering stats aside, Gabbert weighs in at a solid 235 pounds, stands at a commanding 6'5" and appears to possess most of the intangibles expected from a successful NFL quarterback, making him one of the most appealing quarterbacks in the draft.
Whether or not Gabbert chooses to declare himself eligible for the draft remains to be seen, but if he does, some are already speculating he could be the second or third quarterback drafted. If Gabbert continues to hover around that tier of quarterbacks, the Dolphins may be able to scoop him up in the first round.
No. 1 Ryan Mallett
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Towering over defenders at 6'7", Arkansas' Ryan Mallett, also know as "Big Tex," has NFL written all over him. Mallett's arm is remnant of Henry Rowengartner's bionic laser-beam from Rookie of the Year, but that alone will not guarantee him success in the NFL.
His rocket arm and massive stature are the chief reasons Mallett is so highly touted, but many fear his inconsistency, and some have drawn comparisons to Chad Henne.
However, many of those concerns are relatively exaggerated. Mallett posted a 66.5 completion percentage this season, ranking him 13th among all Division I-FCS quarterbacks. He also led the Razorbacks to a 10-2 record, losing only a tight game to Alabama and a blowout to Auburn. Henne, meanwhile, never posted a completion percentage higher than 61.9 percent while at Michigan.
Mallett still has to declare for the draft, but if he does, he will most definitely be on Miami's radar, perhaps at the very top. Unfortunately, Mallett will project as the second or third-highest rated quarterback in the draft, making the Dolphins' chances of snatching him with the 15th overall pick rather small.
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