It's Friday the 13th so I thought..... - Dallas Cowboys Forum

**ABQCOWBOY** · 05-13-2005

I would start off the day by kicking a can of worms over straight away.

I have asked this question several times and never gotten a response.

I really want to understand the thought process here.

What does Drew Henson have to do in order to deserve an honest chance to compete? Not from the coaching staff mind you but from our fan base, particularly those who seem to despise him as a QB. Obviously, the coaching staff has already elected to give him a chance. I'm specifically asking for what it would take for those of you who are completely opposed to this guy getting an honest chance. What does he have to do to be deserving of an opportunity?

Richmond Cowboy · 05-13-2005

He has to convince BP that he's ready, once he does that he's ok by my standards.

slick325 · 05-13-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by ABQCOWBOY

I would start off the day by kicking a can of worms over straight away.

I have asked this question several times and never gotten a response.

I really want to understand the thought process here.

What does Drew Henson have to do in order to deserve an honest chance to compete? Not from the coaching staff mind you but from our fan base, particularly those who seem to despise him as a QB. Obviously, the coaching staff has already elected to give him a chance. I'm specifically asking for what it would take for those of you who are completely opposed to this guy getting an honest chance. What does he have to do to be deserving of an opportunity?

I am not one of the Anti-Henson people at all. I pray he is the franchise QB we have looked for since the departure of our soon to be Hall of Fame former franchise QB. But to answer the question, I think Henson needs to knock the rust off and show flashes during preseason and most importantly show flashes to Coach Parcells in practice and Training Camp. Being away from the game for extended periods causes rust and that is what causes apprehension in those who don't want Henson on the field too early. IMHO.

**ABQCOWBOY** · 05-13-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richmond Cowboy

He has to convince BP that he's ready, once he does that he's ok by my standards.

No, no. This is not what I'm asking. I'm not asking for what he has to do to start. I'm asking what he has to do for the fans to be OK with him getting a fair opportunity to compete. There is a big difference between the two. As I said earlier, the coaching staff has already chosen to give him a chance, else he would not be there. This is all about the fans willingness to accept him.

Maikeru-sama · 05-13-2005

There is nothing he can do.

Parcells will not play him because he didnt have any prior experience before Parcells got here and Parcells didnt draft him even though he probably played a big role in acquiring him.

He has limited experience and has been out of the game a little too long. This does not help your cause when you are trying to Win now, which Parcells is trying to obviously do.

I wanted Byron Leftwich to be drafted. At this point I dont care who plays as long as he is young and has some type of past pedigree.

9 QBs and counting who have started since Aikman retired.

Bledsoe
Cunningham
Carter
Henson
Hutch
Leaf
Stoerner
Testeverde
Wright

Only the Bears have started more in that time span but I bet with Bledsoe starting, we have surpased that mark.

- Mike G.

Doomsday101 · 05-13-2005

Henson is the only player I know who is being judged on something other than performance. Last year was his 1st with us and in some eyes he is already a bust?

AMERICAS_FAN · 05-13-2005

He has to change his last mane to Carter or Hutchinson.

AF

**ABQCOWBOY** · 05-13-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by mickgreen58

There is nothing he can do.

Parcells will not play him because he didnt have any prior experience before Parcells got here and Parcells didnt draft him even though he probably played a big role in acquiring him.

He has limited experience and has been out of the game a little too long. This does not help your cause when you are trying to Win now, which Parcells is trying to obviously do.

I wanted Byron Leftwich to be drafted. At this point I dont care who plays as long as he is young and has some type of past pedigree.

9 QBs and counting who have started since Aikman retired.

Bledsoe
Cunningham
Carter
Henson
Hutch
Leaf
Stoerner
Testeverde
Wright

Only the Bears have started more in that time span but I bet with Bledsoe starting, we have surpased that mark.

- Mike G.

OK, obviously, I have done a poor job of explaining this. Perhaps this is the reason nobody has ever responded.

This question is not a matter of him starting. This is not a question of playing time. This has nothing to do with what Parcells thinks of him or really, any of the coaching staff. This question is for fans and there willingness to accept Henson.

The bases for this question comes from the fact that many don't seem to even want Henson competing for a job. Not starting but even competing. I don't understand this. The coaching staff has clearly approved the idea of him developing yet many fans are completely opposed to it. I want to understand why?

To my knowledge, he's never said anything that was not supportive. He's never acted or represented the club in poor light. He's only worked hard, as far as I know, to try and improve. He has shown, through his original contract stipulations that he wants to be in Dallas and really only Dallas. He has signed, what I believe to be, a very cap friendly contract that allows the club extreme flexability. He is a very good athlete for the position and he's obviously intelligent. What has this guy done that cause so many to be willing to write him off after just one season?

dbair1967 · 05-13-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by ABQCOWBOY

I would start off the day by kicking a can of worms over straight away.

I have asked this question several times and never gotten a response.

I really want to understand the thought process here.

What does Drew Henson have to do in order to deserve an honest chance to compete? Not from the coaching staff mind you but from our fan base, particularly those who seem to despise him as a QB. Obviously, the coaching staff has already elected to give him a chance. I'm specifically asking for what it would take for those of you who are completely opposed to this guy getting an honest chance. What does he have to do to be deserving of an opportunity?

I never understood why some dumba$$ fans on here would want the guy to fail...if your a fan of the team you should be pulling for the guy to become a bigtime QB...if some other team had made the same move we did to get a talent like Henson, the fickle idiots would all be clamoring "why didnt JJ make this move????"..."damn, so and so team just got a guy who was thought of as a top-5 pick and all it cost them was a 3rd rounder"

the fickle idiots will cheer for bums, thugs and losers like Randy Moss, Ray Lewis or Quincy Carter, but wont give a kid like Henson half a thought...idiocy

David

dbair1967 · 05-13-2005

but to answer the original question, Henson has to show he's improved from last yr to this yr and has a firmer grasp of the offense and what opposing defenses are trying to do to him.

It isnt that far fetched IMO that he starts at some point this yr, or even beats Bledsoe out in TC...Bledsoe was miserable last yr and if he doesnt improve over that showing Henson will beta him out

David

Maikeru-sama · 05-13-2005

Oh my bad.

It all has to do with the stupid, dumb, and down right ignorant quarterback debates that went on here and 2 other sites I know of when Carter and Hutch were competing for the job.

See you have the crowd that latches on to "the next best thing" and starts doing things like putting Henson in a sig with Staubach, Meredith and Aikman (someone actually did this the next day after Henson was signed, cant remember who).

Of course, this usually breeds resentment from the other crowd he will start to hate the guy because of they feel he has not done anything to warrant praise.

It is the Chicken or Egg Question. I dont know which group comes first.

Something tells me the hardcore Carter crowd wants Romo and the Hardcore Hutch crowd wants Henson.

For the record, I supported Quincy Carter. When he got benched I sort of supported Chad Hutchinson but found myself resenting him because there were people on another board (whom I wont mention) that latched on to him because they hated Quincy so much, and of course I developed a little resentment towards Hutchinson naturally.

And the answer is nothing. When you are dealing with hate on this level, where people form opinions before a guy hits the field, nothing will change their mind.

I kind of thought Henson or Romo would bring everyone together because the hero of both sides, Carter and Hutch were gone and the slate was wiped clean.

But hey, can anyone imagine what kind of foolishness and nasty comments would have been uttered if the Internet was available when Staubach and Morton were going at it or how about Walsh and Aikman?

Cowboy fans, similar to Lakers, Yankees etc etc are a spoiled bunch, especially those like myself who live in Dallas who take things for granted. It is only when the 5 win season start rolling around in bunches that we start to fully understand how lucky we are.

For the record, I wish we would draft a quarterback next year. I dont want any projects. I want a solid guy that has pedigree and loves football. Henson or Romo may work out, but I just wish we would finally draft one in the 1st round so we can do what the British always say "Just get on with it".

- Mike G.

junk · 05-13-2005

I think a couple of things have to happen.

1. He has to play at a high level and get some skins on the wall. If/when Drew Henson starts tossing TDs, many fans that don't like him will warm up to him. You'll see people who despise him now with his pic in their sig line then.

2. Break the perception that he is Hutch II, just another baseball project. I think #1 will do that as well.

3. QC has to wash out completely. Many on here were die hard supporters of QC and I think they see Henson as the reason for his departure (at least partially). I think they feel Henson has to fail to justify QC in some twisted way.

4. A serious vote of confidence from the coaching staff. Cutting Bledsoe, naming Henson the starter, etc. I doubt this happens this year.

Bottom line, he will get respect when he earns it on the field.

Doomsday101 · 05-13-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by mickgreen58

Oh my bad.

It all has to do with the stupid, dumb, and down right ignorant quarterback debates that went on here and 2 other sites I know of when Carter and Hutch were competing for the job.

See you have the crowd that latches on to "the next best thing" and starts doing things like putting Henson in a sig with Staubach, Meredith and Aikman (someone actually did this the next day after Henson was signed, cant remember who).

Of course, this usually breeds resentment from the other crowd he will start to hate the guy because of they feel he has not done anything to warrant praise.

It is the Chicken or Egg Question. I dont know which group comes first.

Something tells me the hardcore Carter crowd wants Romo and the Hardcore Hutch crowd wants Henson.

[View Full Quote]

I agree with your explanation but I will say for those doing that it is very childish behavior. Romo and Henson are both members of this team and have done nothing to deserve the criticism they are getting. It seems this is not about the Dallas Cowboys but about a fans own pride.

AMERICAS_FAN · 05-13-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by ABQCOWBOY

The bases for this question comes from the fact that many don't seem to even want Henson competing for a job. Not starting but even competing. I don't understand this. The coaching staff has clearly approved the idea of him developing yet many fans are completely opposed to it. I want to understand why?

The answer is simple. Henson has the P-word associated with him (i.e "Project"). He is a project, much like many viewed Carter and Hutchinson as "Projects". Those in Carter's camp saw the Hutch "Project" in a negative light and as a failure waiting to happen; those in the Hutch camp saw the Carter "Project" in a negative light and as a failure waiting to happen. In the end, both QBs ened up as happened failures here in Dallas and that has stuck with many here who put so much effort in supporting their camps. A small group of these fans wre spent and not willing to go through that again with Henson, or any, young unproven QB not drafted high in the draft. These fans would rather have Dallas draft a QB high (ala Aikman) rather than deal with an inepereinced ex-baseball player who could use a few years on the bench before he is ready to really show IF he has the ability to be franchise (ala Carter and Hutch).

AF

Maikeru-sama · 05-13-2005

The coaching staff has clearly approved the idea of him developing yet many fans are completely opposed to it.

Oh, forgot to touch on this.

How long does it take for the guy to develop? Cowboy fans are so sick and tired of seeing pretenders like Carter, Hutch, Banks etc etc assume the throne. We get further slapped in the face when we see retreads like Bledsoe and Vinny assume the throne.

Put Henson in. You talk about how Aikman like him and how he would have been picked over Mike Vick. So let's see him. Put him in in those 5 20+ point blowout lossess last year.

The guy doesnt get to even play when we get blowed out which is crap. See people say, well he has not played ball in what 4 years, I have lost track to be honest. So okay, if it was 4 years, now it is 5 years, and if he doesnt play next year it will be 6.

I just want to see a young guy get in and assume some responsibility. As I have said a million times....THIS TEAM IS PERFECTLY GEARED FOR A YOUNG GUY TO ASSUME THE THRONE.

*Nice mature receivers
*A budding star at running back
*A star at Tight End
*And a defense that is expected to be very good
*Hell we even have 3 Pro Bowl calibre players on the Offensive Line

That is why I am frustrated and totally against this bring them on slow approach when Romo or Henson dont even get to play when we get blowed out like other teams.

If I hear "let em hold a clip board" in 2006, I promise I am going grab a chain and ball, tie it to myself and jump into the Trinity River

.

BTW, please see my article:It's the Quarterback Stupid learn how I really feel

.

- Mike G.