With Surprising Start, Dolphins Don’t Need to Rush Chad Henne Into Starting Lineup

Late in the fourth quarter of a Week 2 blowout loss to the Cardinals, Dolphins rookie quarterback Chad Henne saw the first NFL action of his brief career. He completed 7 of 12 passes for 67 yards and, in general, didn't make a fool of himself.

Naturally, the outing was reason enough for some fans to call for a quarterback change, partly because Chad Pennington had been serviceable but uninspiring, but also because the Dolphins haven't had a franchise quarterback since Dan Marino retired in 1999.

Some eight weeks later, Miami is 4-4 and thanks to their improved play and relatively easy second-half schedule, they're legit contenders for a wild card spot. And Pennington, who has benefited from the emergence of Greg Camarillo, a revitalized running game and the Wildcat, will keep his job. Just like head coach Tony Sparano said he would back in mid-September.

Which is why the Miami Herald's Greg Cote thinks fans should temper their calls for Henne -- for stability's sake: