While Henne's role is set for now, he plans to prepare as if he'll be lining up under center on Sept. 13 when Miami opens the regular season at Atlanta.
"I'm not going to back down," Henne said. "That's just the competitor I am."
Pennington, 33 and entering his 10th NFL season, expects nothing less. It's one reason he passed on a vacation in July to work out in South Florida's suffocating heat and humidity.
Pennington still has something to prove to himself. Last season was only the second time Pennington played in all 16 games.
"Stay healthy; that's my No. 1 goal," he said Sunday.
But if Pennington doesn't, Henne's teammates, echoing their words a season ago, think he'll be able to step in.
Good to know Henne is ready to step in at a moment's notice. Odds are good that Chad Pennington could get hurt this year. But that's not why he arrived to camp looking stronger and more physical. Having a robot stalking you day and night will do that to a person. Always looking for ways to have you meet with an "accident," trying to find a way to melt you with its heat ray without anyone noticing, intercepting your brain waves so it can know what you know. Shit must be tough. Most teams have quarterback competitions. But what Chad Pennington is involved in is more than just looking to keep the starting job. It's a matter of survival.
