Help me understand Parcells refusal to play Henson

[Fan Since 77]

Hello fellow Cowboy fans. I've been away from the boards for awhile, and I'm sorry if this topic was beaten to death already.

I used to give 100% trust and faith in anything Parcells did. That all changed when Parcells refused to play Henson late in the year when the Cowboys were obviously out of the playoff picture. Maybe a good explanation would have settled the issue with me. It never came.

Even more mystifying than the benching was the explanation Parcells gave for not starting him. He stated that he didn't want to throw Henson to the wolves, or something like that. Huh?

This is the NFL, the best of the best, right? In order for a quarterback to overcome adversity, he must first get used to it. When did Bill suddenly become a nurturing mother, instead of a tough-luck suck it up kind of guy?

Perhaps, there was something else behind the curtain that Bill wasn't revealing? Whatever the case now, our situation is more bleak than ever. Instead of some real game experience with our young stud QB, I am now left to wonder why, and of course, question the decision. Question Bill Parcells? GASP! I used to think the same thing.

[pgreptom]

8 Games in college(all and all) - 8 games since he graduated high school, now he's in the pros

most get what - 25-35? The guy needed an offseason, regardless.. if it happens again this year, you can say Parcells is off his rocker.

*edit - until then, i'm sticker by parcells side.. "TIB" trust in bill.. and i'll do that.

BTW, the 3-year layoff that henson took, didn't help, either.

[blindzebra]

8 Games in college(all and all) - 8 games since he graduated high school, now he's in the pros

most get what - 25-35? The guy needed an offseason, regardless.. if it happens again this year, you can say Parcells is off his rocker.

*edit - until then, i'm sticker by parcells side.. "TIB" trust in bill.. and i'll do that.

BTW, the 3-year layoff that henson took, didn't help, either.

He started 8 games he played in over 20.

Facts people, FACTS. :rolleyes:

[Portland Fanatic]

I don't think Bill's hiding anything...he has been straight forward as a matter of fact. Whether the media or us fans want to believe...well that's up to us.

Bill said several times Drew was not ready and that he really needs to improve things around him...paraphrasing of course...I personally do not think BP is lying when he says this...he really felt that way...like it or not.

When you look at everything once the year was over...
A. No Campbell..best blocking TE in the business
B. No Glenn...need his down field threat.
C. Gurode benched
D. Tucker benched
E. Flo off sides on a regular basis
D. Ritchie went down...best blocking back we have.

BP feels we need to improve in these areas and get more healthy before he puts Henson (the guy who has not played in a few years) on the field with a fair chance to succeed.

If BP did not think Drew could do it...we would be hunting for another QB...or going after one in the draft, which I do not think we will.

If we listen...Bill answers all of these questions for us...do we choose to listen is the real question???

[Fan Since 77]

8 Games in college(all and all) - 8 games since he graduated high school, now he's in the pros

most get what - 25-35? The guy needed an offseason, regardless.. if it happens again this year, you can say Parcells is off his rocker.

*edit - until then, i'm sticker by parcells side.. "TIB" trust in bill.. and i'll do that.

BTW, the 3-year layoff that henson took, didn't help, either.

All the more reason to throw him out there I say. As a coach, I would even want him to have a horrible game. That is when the real evaluation begins. How does he respond to adversity? Does he crawl into a shell? Does he come out swinging the next week? The kid doesn't have to play lights out; just show me character. Important evaluations we could have known going into the season. I don't think Troy Aikman would have become the quarterback he was without those first years of adversity. The same could be said for many QB greats who were "thrown to the wolves".

[Dough Boy]

All the more reason to throw him out there I say. As a coach, I would even want him to have a horrible game. That is when the real evaluation begins. How does he respond to adversity? Does he crawl into a shell? Does he come out swinging the next week? The kid doesn't have to play lights out; just show me character. Important evaluations we could have known going into the season. I don't think Troy Aikman would have become the quarterback he was without those first years of adversity. The same could be said for many QB greats who were "thrown to the wolves".

Would you take a knife to a gun fight?

[Nerm]

8 Games in college(all and all) - 8 games since he graduated high school, now he's in the pros

most get what - 25-35? The guy needed an offseason, regardless.. if it happens again this year, you can say Parcells is off his rocker.


To be fair, he had 8 starts, not 8 games.

But the point that Bill has said time and time and time and time again is that Drew wasn't ready. He made it clear that putting a young QB in a position, where you know he will fail, is a bad idea. He said over and over that Drew wasn't ready to play. Not that he would never be ready, but that it could hurt a young QBs development (i.e. Drew) if you put them in when they are not ready.

Nobody has to agree will Bill, but I am getting tired of the "I don't understand it" posts. I'm not bashing you Fan Since 77, but the issue has been discussed a little. Bill has made it clear that, in his opinion, it would be worse for Drew, and the future of the Cowboys, to put Drew in at the end of the season. He has also made it clear that, in his opinion, this does not mean that Drew can't play in the NFL.

Anyone can disagree about if Bill is right or not (you, me, Jerry Jones, etc.), but Bill has made his opinion clear.

[Fan Since 77]

When you look at everything once the year was over...
A. No Campbell..best blocking TE in the business
B. No Glenn...need his down field threat.
C. Gurode benched
D. Tucker benched
E. Flo off sides on a regular basis
D. Ritchie went down...best blocking back we have.

Pfan, these reasons alone would force me to start him. Suck it up kid, and go play football, and let's see how you do.

[ghettogandhi]

sometimes smart people make dumb decisions-

this is one of those cases-

we were out of the playoff hunt in week 14- realistically-

henson should have played at least the final 3 games when it was evident that Julius would provide most of the o to take the pressure off of him.


Look for parcells to draft a back in round 4 or 3 if we trade for it.

[Juke99]

Truth is....NONE of us knows why...we can guess...there are all kinds of opinions...but none of us knows why.


Simply said, it's because Parcells decided it was not in the best interest of the team to play Henson.

Whether or not Parcells definition of "best interest" is flawed or ill advised is yet to be seen.

The interesting thing is, in every QB controversy I've ever seen, there are two camps...one for each QB...

But in this case, Vinny has very few supporters...

The two camps in this discussion mostly center around those who are pro-Parcells in his decision...and those who are anti...

[Dough Boy]

sometimes smart people make dumb decisions-

this is one of those cases-

we were out of the playoff hunt in week 14- realistically-

henson should have played at least the final 3 games when it was evident that Julius would provide most of the o to take the pressure off of him.


Look for parcells to draft a back in round 4 or 3 if we trade for it.

Do you think the staff could evaluate the rest of the team if Henson played extremley terrible? I don't think it was dumb. Dumb is doing something that you (in your professional judgment) no wont work because fans/media want you to. That's dumb.

[StreetPlayaRoss21]

look at david carr and whats happened to his development after being sacked 82 times in his rookie year, better to take your time then stunt his growth

[Portland Fanatic]

Pfan, these reasons alone would force me to start him. Suck it up kid, and go play football, and let's see how you do.
Many different philosophies...beleive me I'm not one for kid gloves, BUT this is a unique situation where he did not play for a while and needs more reps and to have the offense down pat.

Look at the Baltimore game...played very well...6 for 6 and a TD...despite the early fumble.

Then the Bears...they game planned for him and the pinned there ears back and blitzed almost every down. We sucked at picking up the blitz...big time if you go back and look at the game, but that is the point...without Campbell, and the right side of the Oline playing like crap. He did not have a chance to succeed. He still needs time to learn the different looks and blitzes, but if we are not even close to picking them up...he might as well hike and take a knee.

As soon as Vinny came in the Blitzing almost stopped by the Bears...it really did. PErsonally I would have rather BP focus in the blitz pick up and let Drew fight through it, but BP thought differently.

[Dough Boy]

Pfan, these reasons alone would force me to start him. Suck it up kid, and go play football, and let's see how you do.
Again I ask, would you go into a gun fight with a knife? Then why go into a football with a QB (one of the most important positions) who does not belong on a pro football field. I think Drew will be a stud, just not last year.

[Fan Since 77]

He made it clear that putting a young QB in a position, where you know he will fail, is a bad idea.

I guess this is the sticking point with me Nerm. I am of the opinion where a young quarterback must fail in order to eventually succeed. You're right though, it would be pointless to argue about it. But hey, this is a messageboard, and they are for pointless arguments! :)

[Juke99]

Many different philosophies...beleive me I'm not one for kid gloves, BUT this is a unique situation where he did not play for a while and needs more reps and to have the offense down pat.

Look at the Baltimore game...played very well...6 for 6 and a TD...despite the early fumble.

Then the Bears...they game planned for him and the pinned there ears back and blitzed almost every down. We sucked at picking up the blitz...big time if you go back and look at the game, but that is the point...without Campbell, and the right side of the Oline playing like crap. He did not have a chance to succeed. He still needs time to learn the different looks and blitzes, but if we are not even close to picking them up...he might as well hike and take a knee.

As soon as Vinny came in the Blitzing almost stopped by the Bears...it really did. PErsonally I would have rather BP focus in the blitz pick up and let Drew fight through it, but BP thought differently.



I think your read of the Bear game is dead on accurate....

I have watched it a bunch of times...the problem in the blitz pick up was not with Henson, it was with the offensive line....if bringing in Testaverde stopped the Bears from blitzing, I guess the move made sense...

But it's not as if Henson had time and made the wrong read....he hardly had time to take a three step drop...

[dragon_mikal]

Pfan, these reasons alone would force me to start him. Suck it up kid, and go play football, and let's see how you do.

That's why you're not a coach in the NFL.

[Hostile]

That's why you're not a coach in the NFL.Actually to be fair that has nothing whatsoever to do with why he is not an NFL Coach. Coaches often have different philosophies. It is quite possible that more than one could have that one.

The reason why he is not an NFL Head Coach is because he is not working towards that profession.

[junk]

Do you think the staff could evaluate the rest of the team if Henson played extremley terrible? I don't think it was dumb. Dumb is doing something that you (in your professional judgment) no want work because fans/media want you to. That's dumb.

I think this may be one factor to be sure. It would be tough to evaluate Julius, Crayton, Copper and even Witten if an ineffective QB was playing (see Henson in the first half of the Bears game).

[Juke99]

That's why you're not a coach in the NFL.




Look at the QB Elway became after Reeves...he was OK with Reeves...he was a monster after he left...

Every coach has a different set of standards by which they evaluate every position...because a guy isn't favored by one coach, doesn't mean he won't be favored by another.

Right now, none of us can say why Parcells let Henson sit....we'll find out a lot more next season.

[Fan Since 77]

That's why you're not a coach in the NFL.

dragon,

Would you say the same thing to Jimmy Johnson? How about the other NFL coaches who have thrown inexperienced quarterbacks out there and let them learn on the fly?

I guess, as Pfan stated, it is a matter of philosophy. Some coaches will nurture. Some will not. That is what confused me about Bill. I figured him for the latter, not the former.


...and yes, I would take a knife to a gunfight if I thought that would eventually help the knife transform into a rocket launcher in my ten year battle plan :D

[Dough Boy]

...and yes, I would take a knife to a gunfight if I thought that would eventually help the knife transform into a rocket launcher in my ten year battle plan :D

I doubt you would make it to that tenth year. :)

[Portland Fanatic]

I think your read of the Bear game is dead on accurate....

I have watched it a bunch of times...the problem in the blitz pick up was not with Henson, it was with the offensive line....if bringing in Testaverde stopped the Bears from blitzing, I guess the move made sense...

But it's not as if Henson had time and made the wrong read....he hardly had time to take a three step drop...
I keep having the same picture in my head of him getting sacked while in his back peddle...maybe on 3 or 4 steps...I think they sent 9 guys every play...was crazy.

[Portland Fanatic]

Actually to be fair that has nothing whatsoever to do with why he is not an NFL Coach. Coaches often have different philosophies. It is quite possible that more than one could have that one.

The reason why he is not an NFL Head Coach is because he is not working towards that profession.
LOL...so politically correct.

[Dough Boy]

I keep having the same picture in my head of him getting sacked while in his back peddle...maybe on 3 or 4 steps...I think they sent 9 guys every play...was crazy.

That was insane. I remember Collingsworth saying that the blitz was out of character for Lovey and the Bears D.

[Juke99]

I keep having the same picture in my head of him getting sacked while in his back peddle...maybe on 3 or 4 steps...I think they sent 9 guys every play...was crazy.


Henson had a bad throw down the right sideline to Q Morgan, who was open...and the INT, in fact was due to pressure....the drop was supposed to be seven steps...and to the right...but the DE was there...and Henson took his seven steps...then a sorta 3/4 step, which completely blew the timing of the play and allowed the CB to jump the route...

The rest of that half was poor play by the offensive line...

[dragon_mikal]

dragon,

Would you say the same thing to Jimmy Johnson? How about the other NFL coaches who have thrown inexperienced quarterbacks out there and let them learn on the fly?

I guess, as Pfan stated, it is a matter of philosophy. Some coaches will nurture. Some will not. That is what confused me about Bill. I figured him for the latter, not the former.


...and yes, I would take a knife to a gunfight if I thought that would eventually help the knife transform into a rocket launcher in my ten year battle plan :D

Drew Henson is not Troy Aikman. Truth is, we don't even know if he is the answer. He may never start for this team again. We all want him to, we all want him to be that franchise quarterback, but how do we know he will be?

Jimmy Johnson knew what he had with Troy. I don't think Bill Parcells knows what he has with Henson.

[Portland Fanatic]

Henson had a bad throw down the right sideline to Q Morgan, who was open...and the INT, in fact was due to pressure....the drop was supposed to be seven steps...and to the right...but the DE was there...and Henson took his seven steps...then a sorta 3/4 step, which completely blew the timing of the play and allowed the CB to jump the route...

The rest of that half was poor play by the offensive line...
So everytime I heard BP say he is not ready...well after that I started thinking...maybe he's right and really knows what's going. Go figure...a HOF coach knowing what's best and not me. Doh!

Don't really think it was as much Drew as much as the other factors...which became obvious to me, however it did not stop me from cursing BP from the arm chair...:p

[Juke99]

So everytime I heard BP say he is not ready...well after that I started thinking...maybe he's right and really knows what's going. Go figure...a HOF coach knowing what's best and not me. Doh!

Don't really think it was as much Drew as much as the other factors...which became obvious to me, however it did not stop me from cursing BP from the arm chair...:p


Ditto...Yes, Henson was not ready to handle playing behind a line that can't pick up the blitz... :)

But ya know, if you look at Vinny's numbers, they look exactly like the kind of numbers a young QB would put up...

I wasn't happy with Henson riding the bench last year....but I figured I'd pipe down until 2005...let's see what happens this year.

[Chocolate Lab]

I don't think Bill's hiding anything...he has been straight forward as a matter of fact. Whether the media or us fans want to believe...well that's up to us.

Bill said several times Drew was not ready and that he really needs to improve things around him...paraphrasing of course...I personally do not think BP is lying when he says this...he really felt that way...like it or not.

When you look at everything once the year was over...
A. No Campbell..best blocking TE in the business
B. No Glenn...need his down field threat.
C. Gurode benched
D. Tucker benched
E. Flo off sides on a regular basis
D. Ritchie went down...best blocking back we have.

BP feels we need to improve in these areas and get more healthy before he puts Henson (the guy who has not played in a few years) on the field with a fair chance to succeed.

If BP did not think Drew could do it...we would be hunting for another QB...or going after one in the draft, which I do not think we will.

If we listen...Bill answers all of these questions for us...do we choose to listen is the real question???


Good post, Portland... I think you've hit it.

The poor line play, no Terry Glenn, and the lack of a training camp and the numerous reps that involves were the factors IMO.

[Sarge]

To be fair, he had 8 starts, not 8 games.

But the point that Bill has said time and time and time and time again is that Drew wasn't ready. .

Going 6 for 6 w/a TD against the Ravens defense would suggest that he is ready and I would submit he should have seen more PT towards the end of the season when it was CLEAR AS DAY we were not a threat for anything or anyone.

People complain he has no experience. How the hell do you suppose he get it?

[Cbz40]

Going 6 for 6 w/a TD against the Ravens defense would suggest that he is ready and I would submit he should have seen more PT towards the end of the season when it was CLEAR AS DAY we were not a threat for anything or anyone.

People complain he has no experience. How the hell do you suppose he get it?


I heard playing some of those new fangled video games helps timing, reading D's, and such. :)

[Nerm]

Going 6 for 6 w/a TD against the Ravens defense would suggest that he is ready and I would submit he should have seen more PT towards the end of the season when it was CLEAR AS DAY we were not a threat for anything or anyone.

People complain he has no experience. How the hell do you suppose he get it?

You might want to wait to get him experience AFTER he knows what to do on a blitz. Otherwise you get a guy who gives up 2 TDs in 3 quarters, while scoring one against a prevent D filled with backups.

Of course Bill could have talked to the Bears at half time and asked them (pretty please with sugar on top) to put their backups in and use a prevent D. We might have seen a 6 for 6 performance in that game too! Hard to imagine pulling a guy who was connecting on 25% of his passes for a total of 31 yards (and gives the Bears their only score of the day) for a guy that comes in and connects on 64 of his passes and wins the game. I hate when we have morons like that calling the shots.

Any guesses on why the OL didn't look as bad in the 2nd half? LOL!

I think Henson is going to be good. However, he isn't even good enough to learn from his bad games yet. He has a lot to learn before he can even figure out what went wrong when he plays poorly. Give him some time. Bill wants what is best for him. Do you honestly think Bill wants him to fail? Frankly, I think BP wants Henson to be a great player more than anyone on this board. He has his whole life invested in it. Right now BP is trying to figure out how to make the Boy's champions again. Two hours from now, while I'm in bed, he will be doing the same thing.

He may not be right about what he is doing, but he is trying to get the franchise on top again. That is his goal and he knows more about it than any fan on this board. Of that I am sure of.

[SultanOfSix]

You might want to wait to get him experience AFTER he knows what to do on a blitz. Otherwise you get a guy who gives up 2 TDs in 3 quarters, while scoring one against a prevent D filled with backups.


Funny. When did Ed Reed become a backup on the Ravens? Henson will start next season. Bank on it.