Friday, December 7, 2012

Henne and the Jets: Jag QB has good history vs. NYJ

BY NICK ST. DENIS

Despite their shortcomings this season, the New York Jets face a pretty workable task Sunday in the Jacksonville Jaguars.

However, the Jaguars have one thing going for them -- their backup quarterback. (photo: Alan Kotok, Flickr)

Jacksonville signal-caller Chad Henne, who took over under center a few weeks ago for the injured Blaine Gabbert, is slated to face a familiar foe this week -- one he should have a decent amount of confidence against.

Henne, a former starting quarterback for the Miami Dolphins, has thrown six touchdowns to just a single interception in his career against the Jets, going 3-1 in the process in games spanning 2009-10.

In fact, Jets offensive coordinator Tony Sparano, who was Henne's head coach during his time in Miami, recruited Henne last offseason to back up Mark Sanchez.

"Tony called me as soon as free agency opened," Henne said, according to the NY Post. “Obviously Mark signed his contract before that, but they still were interested and wanted to get me in on a visit.

“But I had two visits already lined up, here at Jacksonville and also in Seattle, so New York kinda would’ve been my third opportunity."

In six appearances this season, including two starts, Henne has thrown for eight touchdowns to three interceptions but is completing just over 52 percent of his passes.

"... offensively I think they’re averaging over 26 points a game since Henne became the starting quarterback or played," Jets coach Rex Ryan said Wednesday, via NewYorkJets.com. "I think that’s something about him. He pushes the ball down the field more than [Blaine] Gabbert did, so that’s something we have to be aware of.

Henne will be up against the Jets' stout pass defense, which is holding opposing quarterbacks to a 54.9 completion percentage, the second lowest tally in the NFL.

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