Posted by Sabrina B. @gametimegirl
Chad Pennington is replacing Chad Henne as the Miami Dolphins’ starting quarterback.
Coach Tony Sparano made the announcement after practice Wednesday. The Dolphins (4-4) play host to Tennessee on Sunday, when Pennington will make his first start since he suffered a season-ending right shoulder injury in Week 3 last year.
“They both have strengths, and certainly weaknesses,” Sparano said. “At this particular time, my decision is Chad Pennington’s strengths might be suited a little bit more for where we need to be.”
Sparano made the change mindful of the need for a surge in the standings. The Dolphins trail New England and the New York Jets by two games in the AFC East and lost to both teams at home, but their schedule eases in the second half of the season.
“It is time to move,” Sparano said. “If you don’t move during this month, you’re going to be in the also-rans.”
Asked if the quarterback situation is now a week-to-week decision, Sparano said: “Chad Pennington is the quarterback right now.”
The Dolphins began the season believing they were set for years to come with Henne. He became the starter in his second NFL season last year and threw for 2,878 yards.
But this season he has led the offense to only 11 touchdowns, which ties for second-worst in the NFL. Henne has 10 interceptions, including three in Sunday’s loss at Baltimore, and only eight scoring passes.
In 21 career starts, Henne has topped 300 yards five times, which is already more than any passer in the Dolphins’ 45-year history except Dan Marino. But Henne has thrown 23 interceptions and only 20 touchdown passes while leading the Dolphins to a record of 11-10. The offseason addition of Brandon Marshall gave Henne a Pro Bowl target, but they’ve hooked up for only one score.
After announcing Henne’s benching, Sparano said he remains optimistic about the young quarterback’s future.
“This is not an indictment on Chad Henne at all,” Sparano said. “It’s not an indictment on his future. This player has gotten an awful lot better. But at this particular time, it’s something I believe I need to do for our team.”
Pennington, an 11th year pro, came to the Dolphins in 2008 and won the league’s comeback player of the year award for the second time. He earned the affectionate nickname “Coach Pennington” from teammates because of his take-charge personality, and threw for 3,653 yards to help transform the Dolphins into AFC East champions one year after a 1-15 season.
After undergoing surgery on his right shoulder last year for the third time, Pennington weighed retirement but decided to re-sign with Miami. He won praise for his mentoring role as Henne’s backup, and the two quarterbacks are good friends.
Arm strength has never been Pennington’s forte, and he has said his right shoulder probably won’t be 100 percent this season, but Sparano said the shoulder is fine.
