Chad Henne

Chad Steven Henne (born July 2, 1985) is an American football quarterback for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League (NFL). He attended the University of Michigan.^[1] While attending, Henne became the second all time true freshman starting quarterback in Michigan history; accumulated a total of 32 wins in regular season play, 8,740 offensive yards, and 87 touchdowns; and in his senior season, led the Wolverines to a Capital One Bowl victory over Florida. He was subsequently rewarded as the game's MVP after throwing for over 350 yards.^[1][2][3][4]

Henne's professional career began when he was drafted by the Miami Dolphins, fifty-seventh overall in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft. Henne spent most of his rookie season on the bench, being the back-up to veteran quarterback Chad Pennington. In his second season with the Dolphins, Henne started in the last 13 games of the 2009 season after Pennington was unable to play due to an injury.^[1]

High school career

In 2000, five games into his freshman season at Wilson Senior High School in West Lawn, Pennsylvania, Henne stepped in for the injured starting quarterback. After putting up quality numbers, the Bulldogs coach decided to allow Henne to finish the season as the starter. Finishing the 2000 season on a high note, Henne ended up starting his sophomore year and ultimately the rest of his high school career.^[5] At the end of his junior year in 2003, having been offered forty scholarships from various schools, Henne narrowed his college options down to five schools: Miami, Michigan, Georgia, Tennessee, and Penn State.^[6] Before his first game as a senior, Henne announced his plans to become a Wolverine at the University of Michigan. By the end of his senior year in 2004, Henne had thrown for a total of 7,071 passing yards, ranking third all time in Pennsylvania state history.^[7] Following high school Henne played in the 2004 U.S. Army All-American Bowl as a member of the East team.^[8]

College career

In 2004, Henne entered the 2004 college football season as a freshman for the Wolverines, and third on the depth chart behind redshirt sophomore Matt Gutierrez and redshirt freshman quarterback Clayton Richard. The Monday prior to the season opener against Miami, Michigan head coach Lloyd Carr announced Gutierrez would start even though he was suffering from a sore shoulder. A few days later Carr decided to allow Henne to start in relief of Gutierrez.^[9]

Henne ended his first career game with a 43–10 win, completing 14 of 24 passes for 142 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Henne was just the second true freshman in Michigan history to start on opening day, a feat not seen at Michigan since Rick Leach in 1975.^[2]

Alongside freshman running back Mike Hart, he galvanized an explosive offensive unit that featured receivers Braylon Edwards, Jason Avant, and Steve Breaston. All five would later go on to the NFL. Henne's freshman season was highlighted by a triple-overtime win over in-state rival Michigan State^[10] and a record-tying performance in the Rose Bowl against Texas.^[11] He also tied the Michigan season record for touchdown passes with 25, first set by Elvis Grbac in 1991.^[12]

2006 Michigan Wolverines football team huddle with #86 Mario Manningham, #7 Henne, #16 Adrian Arrington, #72 Rueben Riley, #54 Mark Bihl, #77 Jake Long

Henne was criticized in 2005 after Michigan, ranked in the top five of the preseason polls, stumbled to a 3–3 start. The sophomore quarterback was particularly scrutinized after his performance in a close loss to Notre Dame, in which he completed fewer than half of his pass attempts and lost a fumble on the goal line. After their 3–3 start, Michigan won four consecutive games to clinch the program's 21st consecutive winning season.

As a junior in 2006, Henne earned Rivals.com All-American third-team honors. He was a Manning Award finalist, Maxwell Award semifinalist, Davey O'Brien Award semifinalist and Walter Camp Award candidate. The All-Big Ten Conference second-team choice started all thirteen games. He hit on 203-of-328 passes for 2,508 yards and 22 touchdowns with eight interceptions, ranking fifth in Michigan's season record list for touchdown passes, eighth in attempts and completions and tenth in passing yards. For the third straight year Michigan concluded their season by losing to Ohio State and then dropping their bowl game, this time to Southern California.^[12]

During his senior year in 2007, Henne completed 162 of 278 passes for 1,938 yards, 17 touchdowns, and nine interceptions. The first game of the season ended in disaster for Michigan, a loss to Appalachian State that was considered one of the biggest sports upsets of all time. In the following game Henne suffered a knee injury in the first half against Oregon, and sat out the second half, as well as subsequent games against Notre Dame and Penn State, before returning to the starting lineup against Northwestern. In the final regular season game, Michigan fell to Ohio State 14–3, completing an 0–4 career record for Henne and fellow seniors Mike Hart and Jake Long against the Buckeyes. Henne played his final college game against Florida in the Capital One Bowl. Henne was named the MVP of the game after he led his team to a 41–35 victory over the Gators and reigning Heisman Trophy winner, Tim Tebow.

For his career, Henne completed 828 of 1,387 passes for 9,715 yards, 87 touchdowns, and 37 interceptions.^[13] All five marks are school records. Henne's passing touchdown total is second in Big Ten Conference history.

Statistics

Professional career

Miami Dolphins

Henne was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the second round (57th overall) of the 2008 NFL Draft. He was the fourth quarterback chosen, following Matt Ryan, Joe Flacco and Brian Brohm. His left tackle at Michigan, Jake Long, was the first selection of the draft and would again play alongside Henne in Miami.^[16]

2008

Henne agreed to a four-year, $3.5 million contract with the team on July 26. Out of training camp Henne earned the backup quarterback role behind starter Chad Pennington. During the second game of the 2008 season, Henne made his NFL debut with 9:42 left; down 31–3 against Arizona. Henne spent the remainder of the season on the bench and only played in two other games.

Henne vs. the New York Jets in 2009.

2009

During the third game of the 2009 season, in the early third quarter of a road game versus the San Diego, San Diego linebacker Kevin Burnett knocked Chad Pennington out of the game with a season-ending injury to his shoulder and rotator cuff. Henne came off the bench in relief. Though he led the Dolphins offense to ten points in the final 20 minutes of the game, he also had an interception returned for an easy touchdown by Eric Weddle.

Henne made his first career start on October 4, 2009 against Buffalo at home. Henne went 14–22 with one touchdown in a 38–10 victory, lifting the team to a 1–3 record.

In his second NFL start, he led the underdog Dolphins to a 31-27 win over the New York Jets in a Monday Night Football game. He completed 20 out of 26 passes for 241 yards with two touchdowns. This was Henne's second straight win as starter and included a 53-yard touchdown pass to Ted Ginn, Jr.

Henne consistently improved as the season went on, passing for 335 yards against New England in Week 13. In Week 15, Henne passed for 349 yards in a loss to Tennessee. In Week 16, Henne passed for 322 yards in a loss to Houston. In Week 17 against Pittsburgh, Henne had already gained 140 yards on 16–20 passing with one touchdown and interception, but had to leave the game with an eye injury.

2010

On November 10, 2010, after a 4–4 start to the 2010 season, Henne lost his starting job to Pennington. Pennington had led the Dolphins to an AFC East championship in 2008. On November 14, during the Dolphins-Titans game, Henne came in relief for Pennington who went out with an apparent shoulder injury. During the third quarter, Henne himself was injured with an apparent knee injury and was replaced by Tyler Thigpen.^[17] Henne returned to action in Week 12 against Oakland winning 33–17. In Week 13, Henne went back to his inconsistencies. He completed 16 of 32 passes and throwing 3 picks in a loss to the Browns. The following week, he went 5–18 for 53 yards and 1 touchdown in a 10–6 win against the New York Jets on an extremely rainy day. In week 16, he had a good game against the Buffalo Bills going 33–45 for 176 yards with a 1 TD and 1 Int. This came in a loss, which officially eliminated Miami from the playoffs. In week 16, Henne faced the Lions and for 3 quarters looked sharp, however, questionable play calling in the 4th quarter led to a loss, and Henne went 29 of 44 for 278 yards with a 1 TD and 2 Ints. Henne had 2 opportunities in the 4th quarter to lead a game-winning drive and a game-tying drive, but poor play calling led to a loss. In the last week of the season against the Patriots, Henne went 6–16 for 71 yards with an INT. Henne finished the year with 3301 yards along with 15 TD and 19 INT.

His job as starter was rumored to be in question during the off season when it was rumored that the Dolphins sought to acquire Kyle Orton from the Denver Broncos. Coupled with the acquisition of Carolina Panthers QB Matt Moore and rookie draft pick Pat Devlin, it was unclear if Miami would continue its commitment with Henne. The Orton rumor eventually fizzled and Devlin was waived and signed to the practice squad, leaving Moore and Henne as the two Quarterbacks on the active roster. It would later be announced that Henne would have the starting job in 2011.

2011

His 2011 starting campaign began well, throwing for 416 yards and a professional career best passer rating of 93.6. These improvements were overshadowed by Brady's 517 pass yards and the resulting loss to the New England Patriots. It was the seventh game of all time to have two QBs surpass 400+ yards. On Sunday October 2, 2011 in a game against the San Diego Chargers, Henne hurt his left shoulder at the end of a run on a broken play on the Dolphins' second possession and did not return. His injury was later revealed to be a dislocated shoulder in his left (non-throwing) arm. Slated to undergo surgery, Henne was placed on injured reserve and missed the remainder of the 2011 NFL season.

The Miami Dolphins announced on February 21, 2012 that they would not re-sign Henne. This made him a free agent.^[18]

Jacksonville Jaguars

Henne handing off to Toby Gerhart

Henne signed a two-year deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars on March 14, 2012.^[19] He started the final six games of the season for the team after an injury to quarterback Blaine Gabbert. In the Jaguars week 11 game against the Texans, Henne came in for an injured Gabbert and threw for over 300 yards and 4 TDs. Henne and Steve Young are the only two players in NFL history, since the merger to not start the beginning of a game and throw 4 TDs without an interception.

After quarterback Blaine Gabbert was benched, Henne became the starter for the rest of the 2013 season, starting thirteen games. The Jaguars would go on to finish the season with a 4–12 record.

On March 7, 2014, Henne signed a two-year, $8 million extension for $4.5 million guaranteed with the Jaguars.^[20] Following a disappointing first half in the 2014 home opener, Henne was benched in favor of rookie Blake Bortles.

Henne signed another two-year, $8 million contract extension on February 18, 2016.^[21]

Statistics

Personal

Henne was born in Wyomissing, Pennsylvania, to Sheldon and Suzanne Henne. On July 5, 2010, Henne married Brittany Hartman.^[23]

See also

• Lists of Michigan Wolverines football passing leaders

References

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Chad Henne.

• Jacksonville Jaguars bio