I like Henne a lot

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?A: Brad, congrats on your Ask Mike debut. I disagree with your modest assessment of Henne. Clearly, he is the most talented all-around quarterback this franchise has had since Dan Marino. If it’s taking Henne a little longer to become a full-fledged NFL star, well, that doesn’t necessarily mean he can’t get there. In terms of “biting as pups,” I’d say Henne did plenty of that last season in reeling off three 300-yard games in his final four complete outings. This year his QB rating hasn’t dipped below 81.6 since the season opener at Buffalo (a win, by the way). As for more weapons, I’m sure Henne wouldn’t turn them down, but the ones he’s got right now are just fine.
??Q: Hopefully this question will be my Ask Mike! debut. I’ve been a lifelong Dolfan, born and raised in Miami, but I’m also a realist. I read your blog post from Tuesday morning where you cited Henne’s “huge potential” and sadly shook my head. Don’t get me wrong, I like Henne a lot: He can make all the NFL throws and shows good pocket presence, but his decision making has been wildly inconsistent and hasn’t really taken this team under his wing and won a game for us. Bill Parcells famously stated that if they don’t bite as pups, they don’t bite at all, so my thinking is Henne’s ceiling is a good and not great quarterback. Perhaps the Fins’ best course of action is to accept this and invest our efforts in putting more weapons (read: another stud wideout and a TE defenses respect/fear) around him? Your thoughts? Brad, Miami. ?
??More answers to your Miami Dolphins questions, including some disturbing news about what it was like in the stands Sunday:?
I found their behavior embarrassing, and I believe that it partially explains why Miami fans have a bad reputation. If we can’t stand and shout to spur on our defense at a home game, how can we support the team at all? My question for you is were we out of line for wanting to shout, or should we have sat down and dispassionately watched the game along with the other South Florida regulars? Thanks in advance for your thoughts. Chris, Arlington, Va.
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Q: I follow your column routinely, and always value your thoughtful opinions. On Sunday, my friend and I, a fellow 24 year old guy, attended our first home Dolphins game. Given the sheer number of Steelers fans, it would seem to make sense that Dolphins fans would need to be extra vocal in support of our team, especially given that we were in Section 115 and quite close to the field. My friend and I took it upon ourselves to cheer loudly for the Fins, but immediately following the opening kickoff we were jeered by our very own fellow Dolphins fans for wanting to stand during the game. We were repeatedly told that we were “ruining the experience,” “selfish,” and “obnoxious,” all for wanting to stand up during the game. Even during key moments such as third-down defensive plays, people still told us to sit down in our seats so we did not obstruct their view. By the end of the first quarter Dolphins fans were threatening to call security on two of their own, before a cadre of Steelers supporters came to our defense and told them they were really behaving ridiculously for getting after their own fans for cheering. I will say as background information that we were not using any foul language or even drinking alcohol; the only thing we were doing that was ‘offensive’ was standing and cheering.
A: Chris, thanks for putting this out there. I’m surprised at the treatment you and your friend received, but then again maybe it’s just a sign of the times. Tickets aren’t cheap. People are used to sprawling out on their couches and watching sporting events on TV. Connect the dots.
As someone who grew up stomping his feet at the Orange Bowl in the ‘70s and ‘80s,[link widoczny dla zalogowanych], who would scream himself hoarse as a teenager supporting the 70,000-strong chants of “DEE-fense, DEE-fense,” I’ve always been disappointed at the lack of true home-field advantage at Sun Life Stadium (and its many previous incarnations). Those who wonder why this franchise has dropped five straight home games, dating to last season, might reread your letter for additional explanation. There’s a mindset passionate NFL fans must bring to the game if they want to impact the outcome, and no amount of “Fins Up” videoboard cameos or T-Pain remixes or “howling wolf” samples can offset the absence of that mindset.