Analysis of Henson and Questions About Him...

[aikemirv]

I liked what I saw from both Romo and Henson. I liked what I saw from them much more than what Bledsoe showed me. I kind of disagree about Romo, he threw some nice passes and managed the game well, I thought he looked a little more comfortable than Henson in the pocket, but he should, he has been playing more football than Henson the past few years so that does not worry me.

As far as Henson goes, he looked pretty good and calmed some of my fears about what they had been saying in training camp. He does seem to delay after receiving the ball from center and does appear short in the pocket which are two things that seem a little odd about his game. He threw some very nice balls and the only pass I was dissapointed in that he threw was the slight overthrow to Z Smith in the end zone.

I would not say that Romo distanced himself at all in the game.

I do not like the 2-3 step drop that BP seems to use when playing Romo and Henson. I would like to see them have a chance to read the field and they are not getting that chance. Someone said that Henson seems to be locking in, but when you take a 3 step drop and don't get protection you only have time to look one way and throw it, there is no time for check downs, either throw it to the guy or throw it away.

Our O-line is not where it needs to be by a long shot - pitiful!

 

[CaptainAmerica]

I liked what I saw from both Romo and Henson. I liked what I saw from them much more than what Bledsoe showed me. I kind of disagree about Romo, he threw some nice passes and managed the game well, I thought he looked a little more comfortable than Henson in the pocket, but he should, he has been playing more football than Henson the past few years so that does not worry me.

As far as Henson goes, he looked pretty good and calmed some of my fears about what they had been saying in training camp. He does seem to delay after receiving the ball from center and does appear short in the pocket which are two things that seem a little odd about his game. He threw some very nice balls and the only pass I was dissapointed in that he threw was the slight overthrow to Z Smith in the end zone.

I would not say that Romo distanced himself at all in the game.

I do not like the 2-3 step drop that BP seems to use when playing Romo and Henson. I would like to see them have a chance to read the field and they are not getting that chance. Someone said that Henson seems to be locking in, but when you take a 3 step drop and don't get protection you only have time to look one way and throw it, there is no time for check downs, either throw it to the guy or throw it away.

Our O-line is not where it needs to be by a long shot - pitiful!

Thanks for the response.

I agree with what you observed about Henson. He seemed to be rushing things just a little, but you are right about the 3 step drops and no protection. I suppose that will make you rush things a little.
Good observation about the pass to Zuriel in the end-zone. Again, I think he rushed it just a bit and that caused the ball to sail on him. It was a bullet, however, so he showed there wasn't anything wrong with his arm on that throw.
The slight delay Henson shows in pulling away from the center is caused, imo, by the way he takes the snap. The replay they showed of his pass to Copper on the sidelines at the beginning of the 4th quarter shows his hands seperating as the ball is snapped. He then has to bring his left hand back up to the ball. It sounds like an insignificant thing, but I'm surprised the coaches haven't picked it up on film, since it's been noticeable since the Bears game.

 

[ravidubey]

Henson's completion percentage reflected some throws he threw away. I agree he crouches though, but I don't care as long as it doesn't get the ball batted down.

 

[Zaxor]

this is a fantastic shot of a QB with his eyes downfield

http://i23.***BLOCKED***/albums/b372/cowboygolfer/PICT0094.jpg

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

I liked what I saw from both Romo and Henson. I liked what I saw from them much more than what Bledsoe showed me. I kind of disagree about Romo, he threw some nice passes and managed the game well, I thought he looked a little more comfortable than Henson in the pocket, but he should, he has been playing more football than Henson the past few years so that does not worry me.

As far as Henson goes, he looked pretty good and calmed some of my fears about what they had been saying in training camp. He does seem to delay after receiving the ball from center and does appear short in the pocket which are two things that seem a little odd about his game. He threw some very nice balls and the only pass I was dissapointed in that he threw was the slight overthrow to Z Smith in the end zone.

I would not say that Romo distanced himself at all in the game.

I do not like the 2-3 step drop that BP seems to use when playing Romo and Henson. I would like to see them have a chance to read the field and they are not getting that chance. Someone said that Henson seems to be locking in, but when you take a 3 step drop and don't get protection you only have time to look one way and throw it, there is no time for check downs, either throw it to the guy or throw it away.

Our O-line is not where it needs to be by a long shot - pitiful!

I agreee with a lot of this post. The game was broadcasted here so I did see it live. Of the three QBs, Bledsoe, by far, looked the worst IMO. He was inaccurate, he did not avoid the rush and he coughed the ball up on contact, once again. It is early so I think we have time but if the OL doesn't improve dramatically, I think Bledsoe is going to have a long year.

I thought Romo played well. He made some nice touch throws and he ws, for the most part, very good in the pocket. I did think his protection was much better then Henson's but I would not call it great. I thought he showed very good velocity on one throw in particular. Might have been to Witten. It was one of the first he threw and he zipped it in there. I would not say he has the same kind of arm Henson does but he had good velocity there. By the same token, not everybody can drop the ball in to targets between zones either. Romo really impressed me with his ability to throw that route. He really throws it nicely. The difference, IMO, was clearly the fact that Witten was on the field when Romo was playing. Honestly guys, Witten was like a man amoung boys. He just got it done. Not down grading Romo for this because what is he gonna do, not throw the ball to Witten? That guy is amazing.

Henson did some nice things in that game as well. To be honest, Henson did enough to win that game. Not being particine here. Henson made plays. He threw some balls that were on the money. He showed good judgement. I really saw only one bad ball that should have been picked. Henson was playing under jail break conditions in my view. There were a lot of guys coming free on him. I thought that Henson showed, just a little, of his mobility. He avoided some things nicely by moving around, I thought. He was also playing from behind and in the 4th. He did a real nice job of not making critical mistakes and getting us in a position to win. Remember, with 3 minutes to go, Henson had a nice completion to Smith, Thompson had a nice run for the first. we then followed up with Thompson for no gain. That gave us 2nd and 10 with 2:00 minutes. On the next play, Pace comes free and sacks Henson. Henson never really had a chance IMO. That made it third and 19 for the 39 with 1:20 left. Henson immediatly came right back with a strike to Copper for 9 yards. At that point, we were in field goal range. If Cundiff kicks it there, that FG is good and the Cowboys go in front by 1 with a minute to go. Instead, a penality on the kick and Cundiff gets pushed back. That kick ws no good by just a bit. Pushed left with maybe 5 yards to go. I thought the kid played very well under the circumstances.

Both Romo and Henson played well, I thought. Bledsoe played like Bledsoe IMO. He's got to be protected or he's not very good. We will see how this goes.

 

[Zaxor]

I agreee with a lot of this post. The game was broadcasted here so I did see it live. Of the three QBs, Bledsoe, by far, looked the worst IMO. He was inaccurate, he did not avoid the rush and he coughed the ball up on contact, once again. It is early so I think we have time but if the OL doesn't improve dramatically, I think Bledsoe is going to have a long year.

I thought Romo played well. He made some nice touch throws and he ws, for the most part, very good in the pocket. I did think his protection was much better then Henson's but I would not call it great. I thought he showed very good velocity on one throw in particular. Might have been to Witten. It was one of the first he threw and he zipped it in there. I would not say he has the same kind of arm Henson does but he had good velocity there. By the same token, not everybody can drop the ball in to targets between zones either. Romo really impressed me with his ability to throw that route. He really throws it nicely. The difference, IMO, was clearly the fact that Witten was on the field when Romo was playing. Honestly guys, Witten was like a man amoung boys. He just got it done. Not down grading Romo for this because what is he gonna do, not throw the ball to Witten? That guy is amazing.

Henson did some nice things in that game as well. To be honest, Henson did enough to win that game. Not being particine here. Henson made plays. He threw some balls that were on the money. He showed good judgement. I really saw only one bad ball that should have been picked. Henson was playing under jail break conditions in my view. There were a lot of guys coming free on him. I thought that Henson showed, just a little, of his mobility. He avoided some things nicely by moving around, I thought. He was also playing from behind and in the 4th. He did a real nice job of not making critical mistakes and getting us in a position to win. Remember, with 3 minutes to go, Henson had a nice completion to Smith, Thompson had a nice run for the first. we then followed up with Thompson for no gain. That gave us 2nd and 10 with 2:00 minutes. On the next play, Pace comes free and sacks Henson. Henson never really had a chance IMO. That made it third and 19 for the 39 with 1:20 left. Henson immediatly came right back with a strike to Copper for 9 yards. At that point, we were in field goal range. If Cundiff kicks it there, that FG is good and the Cowboys go in front by 1 with a minute to go. Instead, a penality on the kick and Cundiff gets pushed back. That kick ws no good by just a bit. Pushed left with maybe 5 yards to go. I thought the kid played very well under the circumstances.

Both Romo and Henson played well, I thought. Bledsoe played like Bledsoe IMO. He's got to be protected or he's not very good. We will see how this goes.

Agreed

 

[UDcowboysfan]

Ok all you Henson and Romo lovers please can we just stop saying how they looked. They were playing against second and third stringers. Romo was calm against second stringers and romo was careful against third. The problem is that the game will speed up in the first string so will Henson throw more away and be more careful you just have to play football and not over think like Henson has been. Let just not bash Romo either until he gets in a game if he plays with heart he can win in this league.

 

[Doomsday101]

Ok all you Henson and Romo lovers please can we just stop saying how they looked. They were playing against second and third stringers. Romo was calm against second stringers and romo was careful against third. The problem is that the game will speed up in the first string so will Henson throw more away and be more careful you just have to play football and not over think like Henson has been. Let just not bash Romo either until he gets in a game if he plays with heart he can win in this league.

True they played against 2nd and 3rd stringers but that does not change the decisions making that both did. As for Henson throwing the ball away, any decent QB is going to throw a ball away instead of just forcing it and creating the turnovers only idiots would throw the ball in there despite not having an open man to throw it too.

 

[aikemirv]

Ok all you Henson and Romo lovers please can we just stop saying how they looked. They were playing against second and third stringers. Romo was calm against second stringers and romo was careful against third. The problem is that the game will speed up in the first string so will Henson throw more away and be more careful you just have to play football and not over think like Henson has been. Let just not bash Romo either until he gets in a game if he plays with heart he can win in this league.

Sorry, but BP almost demands that these two guys play careful and they are not allowed to make mistakes. That is his standard, if you can make plays, and not stupid ones and keep the team moving and not take points off the board (like an INt near the goalline, that is what BP wants to see.

It just makes them more careful. Those are just the facts!

Aikman used to throw the ball away alot near the goalline - he was very careful down there - it is not a bad thing.

 

[UDcowboysfan]

Ya i was just getting annoyed by all the the talk with the BACKUP QB's not that i havnt been in them but man haha i've never seen so much hype over a BACKUP. It is crazy

 

[Doomsday101]

Ya i was just getting annoyed by all the the talk with the BACKUP QB's not that i havnt been in them but man haha i've never seen so much hype over a BACKUP. It is crazy

The hype is there because most relize that Bledsoe is not the future of this team. He is here to help the Cowboys buy some time until one of these 2 QB's hopefully shows themself ready to take over this team.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

Ok all you Henson and Romo lovers please can we just stop saying how they looked. They were playing against second and third stringers. Romo was calm against second stringers and romo was careful against third. The problem is that the game will speed up in the first string so will Henson throw more away and be more careful you just have to play football and not over think like Henson has been. Let just not bash Romo either until he gets in a game if he plays with heart he can win in this league.

No. This is a discussion board. Many did not see the game. Why on earth would we not provide a point of view to those who, I would expect, want to know about it?

 

[CaptainAmerica]

No. This is a discussion board. Many did not see the game. Why on earth would we not provide a point of view to those who, I would expect, want to know about it?

That's exactly what I thinking. It's a forum for discussing the Cowboys. The QB position always gets the most interest. If you don't want to discuss the QBs, just ignore the thread and go to another one.

 

[jazzcat22]

Absolutely! It amazes me that some posters love to ridicule Henson when all he's done is work his rear end off since he's been here to maximize his talent and try to be a good player for the Boys.

What kind of a fan is that?

True!
I am rooting for the QB behind Center. Actually I am rooting for all the QB's because I am a fan of the team. Now do I have a preference, yes. As I always believed and wanted Aikman over Walsh, as I did Staubach over Morton. But I still wanted whoever was back there to lead outr team.

I think people won't be happy until someone comes along and is the next Merideth / Staubach / Aikman. But how are we supposed to know whom that may be.

Let us root for our 3 QB's for the best to emerge and lead us to victory.

I would like to see Bledsoe show everyone he was a great signing, then Henson to come in and take over be it this year or next. I have time to wait and see.

 

[Juke99]

In all fairness it has nothing to do with Romo. His greatest asset is that he is not Drew Henson. Henson came here with the "can't miss label" and armchair QBs get their panties in a wad over that. Especially if their hero is gone because he's here. This is nothing more than an extension of the old Q vs. Hutch crap.

On the Nosey.

 

[Jersey]

Here's my observation on the QB play vs. Arizona.
1. OL was terrible for a 3 QB's.
2. Bledsoe holds the ball too long.
3. Romo did look OK. (Witten can make a lot of QB's look good).
4. Henson was 50/50. Couple nice throw's on quick slant and sideline completions. Seems heavy legged. Couple of his throw-away's were premature, I thought he could of moved around a little more and make a play out of it. I just think he's too afraid to make a mistake and catch an ripping from BP. I don't think BP will let a QB "make a play" through improvisation when the original play breaks down. You see Brady do that consistantly, move around just enough to make a play. I think Henson is physically capable of doing this, but its not how BP coaches our offense to work.

 

[ChrisZ007]

Per your request I am responding.

Last night leaving the game AdButcher, Blindzebra and I all said something at the same time. Basically we said that people would look at the completion % and miss the boat.

The difference between how Romo and Henson throw the ball is night and day. Romo lobs the ball over the top to the target and Henson fires it in there. If people are impressed by lobs then there is no point discussing a difference between the 2 players.

Any QB from HS on up can lob a ball and complete a pass. There are very few who can rifle a ball into a tight spot accurately.

If Romo can throw it better than he did last night I'd be very happy. I really would. There is not a doubt in my mind that he cannot make throws that Bledsoe and Henson can. Last night Henson did it.

A wise old cowboy once told me "liars figure, and figures lie." The dichotomy of last night is the epitome of how this shapes up.

In pre game warmups you could hear the ball hit the WRs hands when Bledsoe and Henson threw it. I saw no zip from Romo at all.

Please don't get me wrong. He can obviously throw the ball. I've run across hundreds of kids who can. They are a dime a dozen. Guys who can rifle the ball are a different caliber.

That's all I am saying. Henson is in a different stratosphere. He didn't just lob the ball to his All Pro TE. He threw it into coverage with velocity.

Completion % is nice. I'll take scoring drives (even though I hate FGs) and velocity every day of the week and twice on game days.

Im curious.... in your opinion, which type does Aikman rank? Was he more of a finesse lober or a gun slinger?

And theres no agenda in that question, Im just curious which category youd have placed Aikman in.

 

[SultanOfSix]

Aikman was a gun slinger for sure.

 

[RCowboyFan]

Here's my observation on the QB play vs. Arizona.
1. OL was terrible for a 3 QB's.
2. Bledsoe holds the ball too long.
3. Romo did look OK. (Witten can make a lot of QB's look good).
4. Henson was 50/50. Couple nice throw's on quick slant and sideline completions. Seems heavy legged. Couple of his throw-away's were premature, I thought he could of moved around a little more and make a play out of it. I just think he's too afraid to make a mistake and catch an ripping from BP. I don't think BP will let a QB "make a play" through improvisation when the original play breaks down. You see Brady do that consistantly, move around just enough to make a play. I think Henson is physically capable of doing this, but its not how BP coaches our offense to work.

Good observations. But I will add to that, maybe Henson is just looking to settle down. With his early reported troubles in the Camp, maybe he is trying to get a feel instead of trying to steal a Job or win a Job? So maybe he is playing it too safe right now.

You are right on Henson about his escapability in pocket. If anyone has seen him in Michigan, With Brady and him, it was Henson who was best at escaping pressure. I am really surprised how well Brady is doing now with escaping pressure. I mean he moves very little but just knows where to move, which is what seperates him from any other QB playing right now, IMO ( Brady that is).

For whatever reason Henson is still not set yet. It might change quickly in next couple weeks, but we shall see.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

Aikman was a gun slinger for sure.

I would not call him a gun slinger. To me, gun slinger would represent a Marino or Favre. If I had to discribe Aikman with one word, it would be precision. I felt as if this was the type of passing game Aikman thrived in.