Bradley backs Henne as Jaguars' starter
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Seattle Seahawks head coach Gus Bradley is supporting veteran quarterback Chad Henne's drive to claim the starting job for good with former first-round pick Blaine Gabbert sidelined yet again by an injury.
Henne said Wednesday that he wants to nail down the starting job. It's not known how much time Gabbert might miss with a laceration on his right hand that required 15 stitches.
"I would hope he would say that. He's a competitor. That's why we have confidence in him playing," Bradley said. "I really want him to go out here and capture this and be at his best. That was our conversation today, 'Don't wait until Sunday to compete."
Henne started six games last season and the sixth-year veteran out of Michigan has also started for the Miami Dolphins.
"My job is to play as well as I can and, hopefully, keep the job. That's how I am going to play it," he said.
Henne signed with the Jaguars last year after being drafted by Miami in the second round in 2008, but is noted for being inconsistent. He has had some memorable moments.
He passed for 416 yards in a loss to New England at the start of the 2011 season before being sidelined with a shoulder injury.
Overall, results have been too mixed to consider him more than average. He has 42 touchdown passes and 48 interceptions and a career passer rating of 74.9.
With the Jaguars, he takes over an offense that was inept with Gabbert under center in a 28-2 loss to Kansas City in the opener before Gabbert left in the fourth quarterback with a gashed hand.
And he's without starting receiver Justin Blackmon, who is serving a four-game suspension and his other starter receiver, Cecil Shorts, has been limited this week with a groin injury.
"You're going to miss a guy like Justin, but guys have to step up," Henne said. "We have guys in places, we just have to execute our game plan a little bit better and pay more attention on details."
Henne has to make the best of this opportunity. He may not get many more.
