Drew Henson Could Be Traded
Trade or release awaits QB, who says he didn't get fair shot
09:28 AM CDT on Thursday, August 24, 2006
By JEAN-JACQUES TAYLOR / The Dallas Morning News
IRVING – Drew Henson's three-year quest to become the Cowboys' Quarterback of the Future ended Wednesday.
It came with little fanfare as the Cowboys spent much of Wednesday trying to trade the 26-year-old quarterback. If they can't work out a deal, he will be released.
Coach Bill Parcells said Henson didn't improve enough to justify a spot on the roster. Parcells said former Cowboys coach Tom Landry taught him to release players that hadn't shown substantial improvement in their first three seasons.
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"Drew Henson is not going to be on our roster this year," Parcells said. "I just didn't see enough. ... We tried very diligently with this guy."
Henson disagreed.
"I didn't get a fair shot to compete," Henson told The News , "but I'm excited about a new opportunity."
Henson, who received a $3.5 million signing bonus, will count about $3 million against the club's 2006 salary cap. The cap hit did not concern Parcells.
"I don't keep players that I don't think can play for us," Parcells said.
The Cowboys acquired Henson from Houston with a third-round pick in 2004. He was supposed to be a player who would put the Cowboys in position to win championships.
He never lived up to the promise.
Henson's stats in Dallas: 10 completions, 18 attempts, 78 yards with one touchdown and one interception.
He started one game (Thanksgiving Day 2004 vs. Chicago) and was benched at halftime. When camp ended last week, Henson was closer to being the fourth quarterback than the second.
"You do everything they ask of you," Henson said. "I went to NFL Europe. ... What did that give me? I wanted to make it work here, but this is all part of sports. You're not going to play for one team your whole career."
Drew Bledsoe, the first pick in the 1993 draft, has experienced the burden of expectations.
"Drew [Henson] dealt with expectations for a long time as a baseball player and a football player," said Bledsoe, now the Cowboys' No. 1 quarterback. "It can be a heavy thing. We didn't talk about it at all, but it can be hard when things go wrong."
Henson's demise began last year at camp, when Tony Romo passed him on the depth chart.
Romo has been more impressive this year. In the first two preseason games, Romo was 25 of 35 for 373 yards and three touchdowns.
Henson lost practice repetitions to undrafted free agent Matt Baker in the past two weeks and did not play in either of the preseason games. Parcells said he isn't sure who will be the third quarterback when the season starts. It might be Baker or it could be an experienced veteran.
"I am happy with Romo's progress," Parcells said. "I'm sure most of you can see why I was hoping this is how it would go, so we would have some hope for the future."
09:28 AM CDT on Thursday, August 24, 2006
By JEAN-JACQUES TAYLOR / The Dallas Morning News
IRVING – Drew Henson's three-year quest to become the Cowboys' Quarterback of the Future ended Wednesday.
It came with little fanfare as the Cowboys spent much of Wednesday trying to trade the 26-year-old quarterback. If they can't work out a deal, he will be released.
Coach Bill Parcells said Henson didn't improve enough to justify a spot on the roster. Parcells said former Cowboys coach Tom Landry taught him to release players that hadn't shown substantial improvement in their first three seasons.
Related stories
"Drew Henson is not going to be on our roster this year," Parcells said. "I just didn't see enough. ... We tried very diligently with this guy."
Henson disagreed.
"I didn't get a fair shot to compete," Henson told The News , "but I'm excited about a new opportunity."
Henson, who received a $3.5 million signing bonus, will count about $3 million against the club's 2006 salary cap. The cap hit did not concern Parcells.
"I don't keep players that I don't think can play for us," Parcells said.
The Cowboys acquired Henson from Houston with a third-round pick in 2004. He was supposed to be a player who would put the Cowboys in position to win championships.
He never lived up to the promise.
Henson's stats in Dallas: 10 completions, 18 attempts, 78 yards with one touchdown and one interception.
He started one game (Thanksgiving Day 2004 vs. Chicago) and was benched at halftime. When camp ended last week, Henson was closer to being the fourth quarterback than the second.
"You do everything they ask of you," Henson said. "I went to NFL Europe. ... What did that give me? I wanted to make it work here, but this is all part of sports. You're not going to play for one team your whole career."
Drew Bledsoe, the first pick in the 1993 draft, has experienced the burden of expectations.
"Drew [Henson] dealt with expectations for a long time as a baseball player and a football player," said Bledsoe, now the Cowboys' No. 1 quarterback. "It can be a heavy thing. We didn't talk about it at all, but it can be hard when things go wrong."
Henson's demise began last year at camp, when Tony Romo passed him on the depth chart.
Romo has been more impressive this year. In the first two preseason games, Romo was 25 of 35 for 373 yards and three touchdowns.
Henson lost practice repetitions to undrafted free agent Matt Baker in the past two weeks and did not play in either of the preseason games. Parcells said he isn't sure who will be the third quarterback when the season starts. It might be Baker or it could be an experienced veteran.
"I am happy with Romo's progress," Parcells said. "I'm sure most of you can see why I was hoping this is how it would go, so we would have some hope for the future."
posted by The Gryphon at 11:27 AM
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