Henne Will Be Ready

CHAD HENNE IS A JOKE
A MOTHERF*CKING JOKE
HIS WOLVERINES ARE GONNA F*CKING CROAK
THEY CALL HIM DOCTOR CHOKE
BET ON HIM, YOU'LL GO BROKE
CAUSE CHAD HENNE IS A MOTHERF*CKING JOKE

-- "Chad Henne is a motherf*cking joke" by the Dead Schembechler's

Former Michigan and current Miami Dolphins QB Chad Henne has taken a beating on and off the field. He was the QB for one of the most recognizable college program in the nation (for four years, too), where he faced pass rushers gunning for his head. More than once he became bruised and battered, but he got up to play again. Off the field, he's taken his fair share of heat, as any QB does. Not only have Michigan supporters and fans questioned Henne's ability in the past, but so have his hated rivals. An Ohio State Buckeyes punk rock band - the Dead Schembechler's - have an ode to the former Michigan QB, released during Henne's junior season as the Wolverines QB. A snippet of the song is listed above. He took all of the name-calling and ribbing in stride.

And he believes it actually makes him better at what he does.

Unlike many athletes who can't take the pressure, spotlight and never-ending evaluations, Henne chooses to ignore it all and is immune to all the hate. He lets the song(s?), images and articles that rip on him just roll off his back. Some may think this means he doesn't care. In fact, playing QB may be one of the only things he does care about.

The Michigan product has always taken that seriously, and never more than now. That's why he was at the Dolphins' Davie facility this offseason "probably six weeks before everybody else was here," according to his coach Tony Sparano, who has marveled at the improvement in the second-year player, in everything from physical strength to coverage identification.
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If you're trying to project how he'll handle a role that requires far more than just making throws, it's worth reviewing how he handled four seasons as the Wolverines starting quarterback, where he was the subject of parody (from rivals) and scrutiny (from classmates). It's worth asking the person who knows him best.

Yes, that person would be fiancee Brittany Hartman, who says Henne has a very even temper and tends to not get stressed out. Those are great traits for a QB; the best thing for them to do after they screw up is to move on.

His current mentor has high praise for him as well. Chad Pennington, who will lose his job to Henne by 2010 (at the latest), believes Henne can and will succeed in the NFL. Pennington has been teaching Henne the nuances of NFL coverages and watching tape.

"I think I should be well-prepared for taking the stage and knowing how to handle myself on and off the field, and being in the community and learning to give back," Henne says. "We always talk about not being a celebrity quarterback. That's a big thing for us. I'm not that kind of person. I'm kind of a low-key, small-town guy."

Indeed. And I can't wait until this "joke", someone I've known since junior high, to be the starting QB for my team.