Well TH, you always manage to sound upset. Upset, hurt, victimized and martyred.
You showed nothing of the kind. Every fan from pre draft on has players he or she is particularly keen on, and some fans are prone to hyping. Some never hype anyone. I'd wager MOST fans fall into my category on Henson, very excited about his potential, but at the same time recognizing the fact he will probably not see much active duty this year, and if he does, it won't be a good sign for the team's overall fortunes. In fact, I would not blame any fan who felt he hoped he didn't see Drew on the field at all this year except in mop up duty. I'd hardly call that disloyal to Henson. I'd call that gosh darn common sense. This team went to the playoffs last year. Few are willing to tank the season to prepare Henson faster. Especially after what throwing young QBs out there too fast has resulted in in the recent past.
Altho I know you have said you feel Carter earned the starting job last year, we both know he has to keep earning it. But this summer he will be earning it by keeping Vinnie at bay, not Drew. That's next summer's challenge for Q. One thing Dallas fans can take comfort in is the head coach will show no favoritism. Just as Bill played the best option at QB last year, so will he this year. If Henson can bypass Carter, Testaverde, and Romo, he will start. But it is very very unlikely from the scout team he is able to do that, and that's why many of us are not getting ourselves in a tizzy about him this year. Tho of course it will be fun to see him on the field in preseason. Let him throw a few intermediate passes to Terry where he doesn't have to reach behind him for the ball, and you will see how fast I start hyping. The hype will come, and it may even be vigorous to satisfy YOU, TH.
Many of us have never even seen Drew play, just have the opinions of other to go on. I chose a rather hyped opinion (that of my brother) to frame the parameters of my perspective. I am already OVER hyping Henson by attributing to him "franchise" potential. The danger for this boy, imho, is going to just that over hype. You can call it "hypocritial" if you like, or read it as a tactic to keep the positive regard down, but it isn't. It's experience of watching over and over how a fanbase hoisted a player on a pedestal, and then in mob like fashion caved it to the ground. When a kid this limited in experience with a lot of raw talent gets discussed, the danger is indeed setting him up for stormy times.
I categorically disagree with the contention there are only two possiblities for Drew's future. "Elite" impact QB or bust. In Bill's system, there is much for potential for a Phil Simms type career. Henson could become the ultimate bus driver. He could become a moderately successful starter, or a much valued backup. The full range of possibilities are as open to him as to any other QB.
However, if the debate is framed in such a way that a kid with his amount of experience, away from the game for several years, can work his way up to the starter position this year via an aerial display of Favre like fireworks and mature game management, a feeling of disappointment will set up around him. The bar will get set so high every missed receiver will be a dagger, and each misread blitz become a fatal flaw. Drew, talented as he may be, is a
developmental prospect. In fairness to him, that should be kept in mind. He is not SuperRook and expecting him to be both dampens the legitimate hype, and works to the advantage of his detractors.
I can wait to see Drew, secure in the knowledge of Tuna's past. The minute, nay, the SECOND, Drew Henson becomes the best option at QB, he will be on that field.
Some kids can wait for Christmas to unwrap those gifts. Others are searching every inch of the house from Thanksgiving on trying to find where daddy and mommy hid them. Doesn't mean the kids with some self discipline crave the presents any less. They just understand there's a time and place for everything. From where we sit right now, the FO/CS had decided the time for Henson is 2005 at the earliest and his place this season is to prepare, as it was for so many inexperienced QBs before him. He would have to be godlike to take the starting job from his place on the depth chart. Talented as I believe he is, I'm not attributing him with such qualities. Yet.
I appreciate your desire to see Henson asap, and I hope you fight the good fight by hyping him to high heavens. Like wise those who hype Quincy. But I also respect the wisdom of Bill Parcells. Your dog in the race, you have said often, is Henson. Mine is Tuna. TUNA is the man who is going to take us there, and whatever dog he runs will be the best option. The purebred greyhound, or the mangy mutt.
Unlike that minority of fans who do sometimes at least
appear to be more about the player than the team, (tho I sure don't have the gall to accuse anyone of that, who the hell am I to question anyone's team loyalty), he will not put one player above the team. Not Carter and not Henson. Not his ex-Jet Vinnie either.
I wish you had too. I also wish I had refrained from jumping in on a thread that was so intentionally created to inflame, and am signing off on it now. Tho I admit seeing one of the most consistent flamers on Cowboys boards give lectures on morality provides no small amusement.
Later