Henson vs Ravens

[Nightshade]

I think putting Henson in vs the Ravens is an unecessary move at this point.

Start him against Seattle or even the Bears (I think Urlacher's out for that game). Henson will then be able to build his confidence with a healthy supporting cast.

Let Peter Boulware, Terrell Suggs, Ed Reed, McAllister and ... RAY LEWIS, feast on some Testaverde instead.

[Jimz31]

Yeah, and then next year, only put Henson into games where we are facing a defense that isn't any good.....or missing players. That way, in TWO years, he'll REALLY be ready.

I would HATE to have him face a tough defense. :rolleyes:

Seriously though, if you face tough defenses early on, when you face ones that aren't as tough, it will seem MUCH easier.

I would rather him face the tough defenses NOW. What good would it be to have him face only "easy" defenses only to face tough ones in the post-season.....he'll look like crap cuz he won't know what to expect.

Geez......I hate this "Let's keep him out until we face easier defenses."

Think back to Hutch's first 3 games.....he came in when we faced 3 "easy" teams and lost.

No matter WHEN Henson gets in there, the chances of a win are not as great as they could be. That's just the way it is.

[DoomsDayD]

I dont want him to be thrown to the wolves this week but then again like Sarcastic said it would be better to face tough defenses now then later on. It is really a tough call. I would much rather see him go against the bears then the ravens but what the hell lets get his feet wet.

[Doomsday101]

I don't think the type of defense we are playing against or the personnel of the defense matters to me after all Henson will face quality defenses. I think time and preparation is what is important, Henson has not played in a while and the more time we can give him the better off he will be and the better off this team will be. Seattle game would make more sense because you do have the extra time after the Bears game. Other teams have been reluctant to throw more seasoned rookies in the fire yet we have a kid who has not played in a while and some want to just throw him out there sorry makes no sense. I would rather error on the side of caution than to be impatient and rush Henson

[hardcorebob]

Let Vinny start, and if it becomes a blow out, put Henson in. If it's a close game, keep Vinny in to get the win. Otherwise, I'd start Henson the following week and keep him the starter from then on, IMO.

[Cajuncowboy]

Yeah, and then next year, only put Henson into games where we are facing a defense that isn't any good.....or missing players. That way, in TWO years, he'll REALLY be ready.

I would HATE to have him face a tough defense. :rolleyes:

Seriously though, if you face tough defenses early on, when you face ones that aren't as tough, it will seem MUCH easier.

I would rather him face the tough defenses NOW. What good would it be to have him face only "easy" defenses only to face tough ones in the post-season.....he'll look like crap cuz he won't know what to expect.

Geez......I hate this "Let's keep him out until we face easier defenses."

Think back to Hutch's first 3 games.....he came in when we faced 3 "easy" teams and lost.

No matter WHEN Henson gets in there, the chances of a win are not as great as they could be. That's just the way it is.

I agree. This will start the process of the game slowing down for him alot faster.

[Nightshade]

I don't think the type of defense we are playing against or the personnel of the defense matters to me after all Henson will face quality defenses. I think time and preparation is what is important, Henson has not played in a while and the more time we can give him the better off he will be and the better off this team will be. Seattle game would make more sense because you do have the extra time after the Bears game. Other teams have been reluctant to throw more seasoned rookies in the fire yet we have a kid who has not played in a while and some want to just throw him out there sorry makes no sense. I would rather error on the side of caution than to be impatient and rush Henson


I think your time and preparation point supports my point about Henson not being rushed into playing against arguably the best defence in the league. Add to that the fact that Vinny's healthy and playing well and you've got no real reason except fan angst forcing him to play right now.

[SA_Gunslinger]

we'll see him at seattle.

[Hostile]

Yeah, and then next year, only put Henson into games where we are facing a defense that isn't any good.....or missing players. That way, in TWO years, he'll REALLY be ready.

I would HATE to have him face a tough defense. :rolleyes:

Seriously though, if you face tough defenses early on, when you face ones that aren't as tough, it will seem MUCH easier.

I would rather him face the tough defenses NOW. What good would it be to have him face only "easy" defenses only to face tough ones in the post-season.....he'll look like crap cuz he won't know what to expect.

Geez......I hate this "Let's keep him out until we face easier defenses."

Think back to Hutch's first 3 games.....he came in when we faced 3 "easy" teams and lost.

No matter WHEN Henson gets in there, the chances of a win are not as great as they could be. That's just the way it is.
I agree. Why baby him if he's a grown man?

"Wounds heal and chicks dig scars." --Shane Falco, The Replacements

He's going to face rough defenses or defenders every week. It's the freaking NFL for crying out loud.

[jimmy40]

Yeah, and then next year, only put Henson into games where we are facing a defense that isn't any good.....or missing players. That way, in TWO years, he'll REALLY be ready.

I would HATE to have him face a tough defense. :rolleyes:

Seriously though, if you face tough defenses early on, when you face ones that aren't as tough, it will seem MUCH easier.

I would rather him face the tough defenses NOW. What good would it be to have him face only "easy" defenses only to face tough ones in the post-season.....he'll look like crap cuz he won't know what to expect.

Geez......I hate this "Let's keep him out until we face easier defenses."

Think back to Hutch's first 3 games.....he came in when we faced 3 "easy" teams and lost.

No matter WHEN Henson gets in there, the chances of a win are not as great as they could be. That's just the way it is.Henson will see tough defenses long before he gets anywhere near a post season game no matter if he starts this week or the last week.

[BUSDRIV3RDH]

When you are taught guitar, they say practice mostly on an accoustic...now why is this you ask? Simply put, the strings are harder to press down and every note is crisp with no distortion to cover your mistakes.

When Walter Payton used to do sprints, did he do them like most guys? No--he instead ran up a hill. Why is this you ask? Simply put, because it's harder!

Perfection does not come from doing things the easy way. Sitting Henson at this point and saying it is because he can't handle it, is a cop-out. And a cop-out that I am more and more thinking has everything to do with money and what Drew is due if he plays so much and nothing to do with his ability or Bill's fear of what it might do to him mentally. Trust me, if Bill was scared of mentally scaring a player, he wouldn't be the way he is towards them as he has for the duration of his career.

However I did vote to start him, but I think a 3rd quarter entrance after halftime would be the best way. By then our team will be so morally beat to the ground, he might actually do something to kickstart us into making a few plays to atleast have something for us fans to chew on until thursday.

[Jimz31]

I agree. This will start the process of the game slowing down for him alot faster.

That's the key.....start him out against the best defenses, that way, the defenses that he faces in the future will look much easier to him. There IS something to be said for trial-by-fire. Some people can learn alot more this way. If Henson can't, then he wasn't our future and we should cut him. I'm sick of hearing the glowing reports on him and then having the coaching staff treat him like a baby. Well? Which is it? Is he a kid that BP "thinks" can't handle it? Or, is he a grown man that can handle things that are thrown his way?