Aaron Rodgers still has to contend with Tom Brady before we anoint him as the best quarterback on the NFL. Tonight Brady put on a show in Miami:

Brady shook off a rare turnover to throw for a team-record 517 yards and four touchdowns, including a 99-yarder to Wes Welker, and the New England Patriots started with a victory for the eighth consecutive season Monday night by beating the Miami Dolphins 38-24.

Chad Henne threw for 416 yards in the shootout, but he missed on a critical fourth down play on the 1-yard line.

Chad Henne is one of those quarterbacks who will torture his team’s fans. He has a great arm and he seems like a likeable and competitive guy. He’ll make some great plays and get you all pumped up, and then he’ll do his best Derek Anderson impersonation and suffer another mindless meltdown.

He was right back at it in his first preseason game against the Falcons:

The pass that never should have been thrown, the one that settled into the hands of an Atlanta defensive back, was simply one of those Chad Henne moments.

We’re all too familiar with those moments, right?

They make you yell at your television. They make you want to punch holes in walls. They make you do crazy things like pine for Trent Green, for goodness sake. These moments convince you Henne will never be a winning quarterback and make you wonder why the Dolphins front office or coaching staff haven’t figured that out yet.

When Brent Grimes caught Henne’s second interception of the first quarter Friday night, an errant throw following a miscommunication with receiver Davone Bess, that moment of truth arrived with a roar at the Georgia Dome.

He’s young, so there’s an argument to be made that he just needs time to develop. That’s fair. But as an Ohio State fan who had the pleasure of watching Chad Henne go 0-4 against the Buckeyes, I wouldn’t hold my breath that Henne is going to change.

Miami was smart to go after Kyle Orton, and the Broncos were almost stupid enough to let Orton go and try their luck with fullback backup quarterback Tim Tebow. I’m not sure what happened to that deal. maybe Orton wasn’t worth the money he was asking for. Who knows. But Miami is now screwed for 2011. Orton would have given them a chance to be a playoff team. I’ll be shocked if they go that far now with Henne.

The word “disappointing” was the first thing out of Brandon Marshall’s mouth when I asked him about his first year in Miami. But the fifth-year receiver sees a bright future for him and the Dolphins and he’s not settling for just a playoff appearance in 2011: He’s thinking bigger.

Armed with a new website, Twitter page and a great outlook about his future in Miami, Marshall is hitting the ground running this offseason. The lockout hasn’t stopped him from improving as a player and reaching out to fans that he says have supported him through ups and downs. He even recently called a group of them just to talk and thank them for their ongoing support.

Brandon was also kind enough to talk with us recently about how he’s dealing with the lockout, what it’s like to go through an offseason where he’s actually healthy and what his experience was like in Miami last year. He also named a couple of teammates that are ready for breakout or Pro Bowl seasons and he dropped a big hint about what free agent he’d love to have line opposite him in the Dolphins’ offense next season. (It’s not hard to figure out if you followed Brandon’s career at Central Florida.)

Check out Brandon’s official new website at www.BrandonMarshall19.com and his Twitter page @BMarshall19.

The Scores Report: Hey, how are you, Brandon?

Brandon Marshall: I’m good! How are you doing, Anthony?

TSR: I’m great! I just saw that you had a birthday recently.

BM: Yeah, I did.

TSR: I’m a little late but Happy Birthday!

BM: I appreciate that. We had a good time yesterday.

TSR: So what, cake, balloons, pony ride? Do you have a party?

BM: No, my wife had a surprise dinner for me at Maggiano’s at the Hard Rock.

TSR: Very cool. Well I’m a fellow March man – my birthday is next week.

BM: Aries baby!

TSR: That’s right! We’re hardheaded and don’t like to be told what to do.

BM: That’s right.

TSR: (Laughs) Congratulations on the new web site – I like the beat going on in the background.

BM: Yeah, that’s Lindsey. Lindsey picked that beat out. (Editor’s Note: Lindsey is one of Brandon’s managers at EAG Entertainers and Athletes Group, who was also kind enough to set up the interview.)

TSR: Really? I’ll have to tell her she did a nice job the next time I talk to her. So tell me about the site and what it’s designed for. You noted recently that you wanted to reach out more to fans.

BM: It’s nothing too crazy. First though, I wanted to thank you for allowing me to do this interview with you guys. I know you guys are pretty popular.

TSR: It’s my pleasure Brandon, we really appreciate your joining us today.

BM: The website is simple. I’ve been in the NFL for five years and I haven’t been too happy with my interaction with the fans over the last five years. I’m trying to get my foot in the door and try to establish myself as an elite athlete and a great receiver. It’s now where I feel like I’m entering my prime and I’m comfortable with where I’m at in my career, so I have some room to interact more with the people who put me in this position. You know, just in terms of the support they give me – especially through my ups and downs – and sticking with me. I just want to be able to give back to them. Last night I actually did a UStream where I had them text me their numbers on the computer and I called a bunch of fans just to chat with them.

TSR: Wow, that had to be great for fans. How’d that go?

BM: It was awesome, bro. Just to hear a guy say, “Man, I don’t even want to talk to you. I just want you to leave a message so I can keep it forever.” When people say things like that it makes you think, ‘Wow, am I really that special where somebody could say that? People really appreciate what I do that much?’ That 20-second voicemail is nothing for me to do and if someone says that it’ll make their day, their month, their year, how can I pass up doing it for them?

TSR: And you’re on Twitter now, right?

BM: Oh yes, and I’m addicted already!

TSR: (Laughs)

BM: Hopefully I don’t get worn out. But yeah, I’m on Twitter responding to everyone’s questions and Tweeting back, and putting in about five hours a day right now. (Laughs)

TSR: (Laughs) Well before you came on with me, Lindsey told me you were finishing up a workout so at least you weren’t skipping the weights to go on Twitter.

BM: Oh, no – not skipping that. In fact, we’ve had people posting pictures of us working out – I’m mad focused.

TSR: Speaking of working out and going through your routine this offseason, I obviously need to get your take on the lockout. Do you think players and fans will be waiting a while for there to be a resolution or do you see this lockout ending sooner rather than later?

BM: It’s a loss for everyone – the owners, players and fans. You know, we’re all losing something, some more than others. But at the end of the day it’s a business and it’s a historical moment for the NFL – especially for us players. We want a good deal in place so that the guys who came before us can be proud, and the guys that come in after us are stepping into a good situation that they can be excited and happy about.

TSR: Are you treating this offseason differently or are you carrying on business as usual because you don’t know when the lockout will end?

BM: I’m going to be honest because that’s the only way I know how. When you’re away from your teammates and your coaches, you miss that bond with them. But our captains Jake Long and Karlos Dansby are doing a great job trying to keep guys together. We’re going to work out together and we’re going to be a team until we can move forward with the new CBA. With that said, I’m truly, truly, truly excited and happy that I finished the season healthy and I can attack an offseason with my main focus on getting better and not getting healthy. You know, the past three offseasons I’ve had three surgeries. The first year I had arm surgery, the next year was my left hip and the year after that my right hip. So when it was time to first report to camp, I was just getting healthy instead of getting better, you know? In the offseason I’ve just been rehabbing and getting into football shape. But now, I’ve been able to work on things like my speed, my agility, my strength, my endurance and getting off the line. I can focus more on catching the ball – had way too many drops this year. So all of those little things that you can’t focus on because you’re trying to get the hip right or trying to get the arm right, now you can get better instead of getting healthy and I’m really excited. I’m just going to keep doing those little things until the CBA gets signed so I can take my game to the next level.

TSR: How do you feel like your first season in Miami went?

BM: Disappointing. I was disappointed and I’m sure everyone was disappointed. But it’s a team game where all 11 guys have to be pulling in the same direction. Coaches, front office, you know, everyone has to be on the same page and speaking the same language. We just didn’t get the job done. But this year is a new year and I think we’ll learn from last year. I’m going to look at myself first because there’s a lot of things that I need to correct. But I think we’ll be better as a whole.

TSR: You guys are somewhat at a disadvantage when it comes to the CBA mess because you have a new offensive coordinator. If or when this lockout is settled, do you think you and your teammates will have enough time to gel with Brian Daboll?

BM: Honestly man, with the leadership we have in our locker room, the character we have in our locker room, coach (Tony) Sparano and Jeff Ireland, there’s a group of guys in the building that can overcome anything. We will use this as something that will make us better. It’s going to be tough, but we can overcome it.

TSR: I like to ask veteran players this because it’s kind of a fun question: Give Dolphin fans one or two players that are ready for breakout campaigns in 2011 – assuming there is a 2011.

BM: Let me see…ooh, boy. We have so many guys ready to take it to the next level. Let me think…man…

TSR: I usually stump athletes with this question.

BM: Man…yeah boy, you got me on this one.

TSR: (Laughs)

BM: Okay, on the defensive side I definitely have to say Sean Smith. Sean is a guy that had some ups and downs last year, but the passion he has for the game…he wants to be better. He wants to be great. I’m sure he’s working hard right now. How he finished the season last year was awesome and this is a guy that has all the tools, all the ability and the size to be one of the best corners in the NFL. With that experience he got last year, and his rookie year, he’ll put it together this offseason and he’s going to be a guy that will explode.

TSR: Do you have an offensive player, too?

BM: On the offensive side, I’ve got to say big Vernon (Carey) – our right tackle. He’s a veteran guy that has been in the league a long time but guys know him as you know, just someone who is going to do their job. But I honestly think he’s going to have a Pro Bowl year just by the way he’s approached the offseason. He’s my neighbor and I’m up at 7 or 8 in the morning, and I see him and he’s up, too. He’s just hungry. He’s been grinding, working out, he’s focused and I think he’s ready to take his game to the next level. I think Vernon will take his game to Pro Bowl status.

TSR: I lot of veteran guys like yourself don’t seem to follow the draft. But do you follow the draft and if so, what areas do you think the Dolphins need to address in order to make the playoffs next year?

BM: You know what? Everywhere. I mean, you can always upgrade at every position so any guy that can make us better. But that’s the front office’s job to make those decisions in terms of where we’re weak and where we need to adjust some things. I’m sure Jeff Ireland is doing his due diligence and he’ll make the right decisions.

TSR: I know this was a hot-button issue last season and I’m also aware that some things get blown out of proportion. But how do you and Chad Henne get on the same page so that you’re both moving in the same direction next season?

BM: You know, it was just one of those things where you had a new guy coming in to a new system. It was a totally new system and the personnel is different. It was a tough transition but Chad is a guy that is capable of making some things happen and he’s still a young guy. I’m sure he’s going to take what happened last year, learn from it and grow. I’m going to do the same and I’m going to try and not only get our offense, but our whole team on the same page and moving in the right direction. I’m excited about the opportunity to work together this offseason and get things corrected.

TSR: I think many people believe you guys are on the cusp of doing some big things in Miami given the mix of youth and veteran players you have down there. I think you’re knocking on the door of getting back to the playoffs.

BM: Oh, yeah. I look at it bigger than that. I honestly think if we can get a few things in place, we have a team, a coaching staff and a front office that can make some things happen for four, five, six, seven years. Make a run – a dynasty, you know?

TSR: Before I let you go Brandon, I always enjoy asking receivers about opposing cornerbacks. What defensive back has long impressed you in this league and which guy is always hard to shake when you’re running routes?

BM: The toughest cornerback I’ve gone against is Al Harris. He’s close to finishing up his career but hopefully he has a couple of years left. He’s a tough guy to face and I’ve learned a lot from him when I went up against him.

TSR: And what about a receiver from another team that you’ve always been impressed with or who you follow?

BM: Mike Sims-Walker – he complements me great. He’s a free agent, wink, wink.

TSR: (Laughs) He’ll look good in white and teal is what you’re saying?

BM: Hey listen, we just got done finishing a workout and reminiscing about how it used to be, you know, just having him on the other side to pull coverage. No way teams would be able to double-team me anymore. Last year I got double-teamed, especially when “White Lighting” Brian Hartline went down, almost every play. So if we add that piece to the puzzle, you know, with (Devone) Bess, Hartline, (Sims-Walker) and myself, we’d be the four horsemen. We’d be unstoppable.

TSR: Well I’ll try to get the word out: Miami Dolphins sign Mike Sims-Walker.

BM: Yeah, and I need more Twitter followers, too! I’m interacting with fans from everywhere. I love it. The goal is 500,000 before the start of the season. And again, we’ve got the website up, www.brandonmarshall19.com, which has a lot of nice things to check out.

TSR: The site looks great and I think it was really cool how you reached out to fans the other day by calling them. You don’t hear athletes doing stuff like that, which I bet fans really appreciate. Thanks for joining us today, Brandon – it was a pleasure to chat with you.

BM: Thank you, thank you. I appreciate it. And let’s talk again soon.

TSR: Definitely! Hopefully we can talk about there being a season next time. Take care!

BM: All right, you too.

Here are a couple of interesting tidbits from team press conferences Thursday at the NFL scouting combine.

Fox names Orton his starter “right now.”
New Broncos head coach Jon Fox told reporters that Kyle Orton and not Tim Tebow is his starting quarterback as of right now. Fox said that he’s interested to see how Tebow looks but noted, “As far as I’m concerned, (Orton) is under contract and he’s the starting quarterback for the Denver Broncos.” It’s not surprising that Fox would side with the more seasoned quarterback, seeing as how he refused to give up on Jake Delhomme in Carolina until the bitter end.

Titans don’t plan on meeting with Shockey
New Titans head coach Mike Munchak said that the team has no plans to speak with free agent Jeremy Shockey about coming to Tennessee. As I wrote the day the Saints released him, I see Shockey winding up in Miami to play under new OC Brian Daboll (who loves to use his tight ends, almost to a fault sometimes).

Henne is still the Dolphins’ starter
Speaking of Miami, GM Jeff Ireland referred to Chad Henne as his starter during his press conference on Thursday. It looks like Henne is the clear-cut favorite to enter the 2011 season as the Dolphins’ starting quarterback, although don’t rule out Miami taking a flier on someone like TCU’s Andy Dalton or Iowa’s Ricky Stanzi in the middle rounds.

When taking their final three matchups into account, it’s not a stretch to think the 7-6 Dolphins can still make the playoffs. They host the Bills and Lions these next two weeks before traveling to New England to play a Patriots team that may be resting starters by that point.

But the thought of everything resting on quarterback Chad Henne’s shoulders is enough to make some fans puke and others simply shrug their shoulders and say, “Hey, if he plays like he did against the Raiders then we still have a shot!”

The only consistent part of Henne’s game right now is inconsistency. For every 307-yard, two-touchdown performance against the Raiders, there’s a 174-yard, three-interception game against the Browns. (Or worse, a 55-yard, 5-for-18 day against the Jets.)

While some fans want him gone next year no matter how the 2010 season plays out, the numbers suggest that he hasn’t regressed like many think. He’s thrown one more interception through 12 games this year than he did in 14 last year, but he’s also thrown one more touchdown pass in two less games as well. His completion percentage is roughly the same (60.8 last year compared to 60.5 this year), but he’s also throwing for more yards-per-pass attempt (7.0 compared to 6.4 in ’09).

According to Pro Football Reference.com, his passing touchdown percentage, sack percentage, passer rating, yards per attempt, net yards per attempt, adjusted yards per attempt and adjusted net yards per attempt are all higher than last year, too. So while it would appear as though the on field product has been worse, it’s actually been slightly better on a whole in most categories.

The problem is that when Henne is bad, he’s really bad. Average quarterback play would have been able to beat the Browns in Week 13 and crush the Jets in Week 14 (the Dolphins were fortunate that Mark Sanchez was equally atrocious last Sunday or else they probably would have lost). Imagine if the Dolphins were 8-5 right now instead of 7-6. Their playoff hopes wouldn’t currently be on its deathbed right now.

Inconsistent interior offensive line play has been an issue, as has a shaky running game. But Aaron Rodgers hasn’t had a running game all season and he’s playing at a MVP level. Ben Roethlisberger’s O-line has been decimated by injuries and yet the Steelers are sitting at 10 wins. Drew Brees has been without Reggie Bush and Pierre Thomas for most of the season and the Saints are currently on a six-game winning streak.

Granted, Rodgers, Big Ben and Brees aren’t in their second years and are more established in the league, but you get the point. Good quarterbacks find ways to win and of the teams with at least nine wins this season, only the Jets have been able to survive with inconsistent quarterback play. That’s why Henne needs to step up over these next three weeks and end the inconsistency madness. Even if the Dolphins don’t wind up making the playoffs, he could go a long way in convincing them that they don’t need to select a quarterback in the first round next April. He can prove to them that he is progressing and that he can be their future.

Or he can continue to churn out inconsistent performances and leave his fate in the hands of the Dolphins’ front office next offseason. The choice is his – he has three weeks.

This is the second installment of my new column: “I’m Just Saying.” Peter King has a column (Monday Morning Quarterback), so it only makes sense that a well-respected sports blogger like myself has a column as well.

What-ev.

- So let me get this straight, the NFL moved the Giants-Vikings game to a NFC North city and is handing out free tickets? If I’m the Vikings, I’m pissed. Nice home game for Minnesota – think any Lion fans will get sauced up and attend the game for free just to root against the Vikings?

- Of course, if the roof of the Metrodome weren’t made of paper mache, the Vikings wouldn’t have to worry about playing at Ford Field.

- Does anyone else find it ironic that Sal Alosi’s job as the Jets’ head strength and conditioning coach is to help players get in shape and avoid injuries and he goes out and trips a Dolphins player…who gets injured? You stay classy, Sal Alosi.

- I’m willing to bet that if the Patriots played all of their games in a blizzard, they would be 19-0 and will have beaten their opponents by a combined score of 855-17.

- The Titans’ backdoor cover against the Colts on Thursday night was one of the worst backdoor covers in the history of backdoor covers. First of all, Indy was up 21-0 in the first half. So what should have been a blowout actually turned into a decent game because their defense is made of Charmin extra soft tissue paper. After they allowed Tennessee to crawl back in the second half, Peyton Manning had not one, but two chances to waste the clock and move the ball and he did neither. Then, with the Colts up by 10 in the final minutes of the game (they were favored by 3), Jeff Fisher trots out Rob Bironas for a field goal attempt but calls him back instead. He decides to put his offense back onto the field and Kerry Collins marches the Titans up the field for a touchdown on the final play of the game (a 4th down no less) and covers the spread. If Fisher were actually trying to win the game, he would have kicked the field goal and tried an onsides kick (he needed 10 points, after all). But because he was trying to screw bettors (which is the only logical explanation here), he decided to go for the touchdown and run the clock down to zero in the process. Final score: Colts 30, Titans 28. Thanks, Jeff.

- Speaking of Fisher and the Titans, I loved his explanation after the game as to why Randy Moss didn’t play much (because Moss and Kenny Britt play the same position). I’m sorry, is he running the triple option? Can you not have Randy Moss and Kenny Britt on the field at the same time? Nice coaching.

- I firmly believe that if Cleveland fans had to make a choice between watching Derek Anderson quarterback their team or Jake Delhomme, they’d opt for c) the sweet release of death.

- I’m a little confused by Mike McCarthy’s game plan in Detroit on Sunday. The Lions’ weakness is clearly their defensive backfield and the Packers’ strength is clearly their passing game. So why McCarthy decided to establish the run is beyond me. What’s worse is that the Packers stuck with the run when it wasn’t working. What, did you think you were going to pull a fast one on the Lions, Mike?

- From now on, the Detroit Lions defense will be known only as Ndamukong Suh. “Man, the Ndamukong Suh is playing lights out today.”

- I would write something about the Redskins’ botched extra point but that would be too easy. To watch that catastrophe live was punishment enough for Mike Shanahan and Co.

- I’m starting to think that Jimmy Clausen flat out enjoys being hit. Because there’s no way a quarterback has that little pocket presence.

- The Raiders-Jaguars contest was the most entertaining game of the day and absolutely nobody outside of Jacksonville saw it.

- Sam Bradford ran down Saints’ safety Roman Harper in the open field after Harper scooped up an apparent fumble recovery (the play was overturned because the runner was down) and started racing down field. I don’t know whether to laud Bradford for one of the best hustle plays of the year or criticize Harper for actually being run down by a freaking quarterback.

- With their 40-21 shellacking of the Seahawks on Sunday, the 5-8 49ers are now one game out of first place in the NFC West. If the Giants, Packers or Bucs don’t make the playoffs and a 7-9 NFC West team does, then the NFL should fold up shop for good.

- What time does the Patriots-Bears game start?

- Only the Packers-Lions debacle could hold a candle to the crap football that went at the New Meadowlands. Watching Mark Sanchez and Chad Henne try to move their offenses is like watching a drunk try to start a car with his house key.

- Who would have thought that at the beginning of the year that pundits would be saying, “Man, the Chiefs really need Matt Cassel to come back soon – he’s the key to their playoff hopes.”

- I’m starting to feel the hits Michael Vick is absorbing from my couch.

- Hopefully Kyle Orton still has Josh McDaniels’ number saved in his phone because they’ll both be looking for work soon.

I’m Just Saying…

I’m starting a new column and I’m calling it “I’m Just Saying.” Peter King has a column (Monday Morning Quarterback), so it only makes sense that a well-respected sports blogger like myself has a column as well.

What? I’m not well-respected? Who the hell is Anthony Stalter? Peter King is more established?

What-ev.

- Let’s hold off on the Giants-look-like-Super-Bowl-contenders-again talk after they beat a crap Redskins team. After their effort against the Eagles and Giants over the past few weeks, I’m fully convinced that Oregon could beat the Redskins on a neutral field.

- Hey Josh Freeman, I’d stay away from Brent Grimes the next time Atlanta comes to down. Dude is small but he’s often the most athletic player on the field.

- Lion fans are pissed about the unnecessary roughness penalty on Ndamukong Suh for the forearm shiver that he delivered to Jay Cutler’s back, but riddle me this, Batman: Was the play avoidable? Could Suh have chosen not to go GSP on Cutler and still gotten him down? What I’m asking is: Was it necessary roughness?

- I’m pretty sure I could think of two reasons not to start Brett Favre for every one reason that Leslie Fraizer comes up with. Let’s start with these: His touchdown to interception ratio this year is 10:17 and even after his effort on Sunday, one could make an argument that Ryan Fitzpatrick is better at this point in his career. That’s right – Ryan Fitzpatrick. So why not Tarvaris Jackson, Leslie?

- Is there any reason Marion Barber should get carries for the Cowboys with how good Felix Jones and Tashard Choice looked against the Colts? Sorry, is there any good reason I mean to write.

- You’re lucky the Colts wound up scoring anyway, Eric Foster.

- Hey Peyton: blue shirts, white helmets, my man.

- As long as Jeff Fisher stays in Tennessee (which may only be until the end of the year), he will be haunted by LeGarrette Blount. Just make room next time, Fish.

- The Packers’ throwback uniforms prove that color did, in fact, not exist in 1929.

- Aaron Rodgers hasn’t thrown an interception in five straight games and finished with a season-high 135.1 passer rating against the Niners. Someone say that he’s not the best quarterback in the league right now. Say it!

- The Great Wall of China wouldn’t have held Donald Driver out of the end zone on his 61-yard touchdown reception.

- There are two halves in a football game, Carolina.

- Try celebrating after you reach the end zone, Leon Washington.

- Here’s how I know that nobody knows what they’re talking about when it comes to the NFL: Raiders 28, Chargers 13. Anyone who said before today that the Raiders would win outright is either an Oakland fan or a liar. Same goes for anyone who said the Raiders would sweep the Bolts this season.

- Did Raymond James host a college football game on Saturday or a monster truck rally? That turf was nasty…

- The Lions basically ran a college offense with Drew Stanton under center and scored 20 points on the Bears’ defense. I’m…just…saying.

- Randy Moss is putting on a clinic for what not to do in the final year of your contract.

- Are there any available special team coaches? The Chargers may need one…

- Is there any question that Champ Bailey can still play at an elite level? Dwayne Bowe, who has been nearly unstoppable for a month-plus now, was held to zero catches on Sunday.

- How could you jump offsides on that fourth down, Pat Sims? I mean, you know the only reason the Saints were lined up for a play was because they were trying to draw you offsides and you jump offsides? For realsies? That’s almost as bad as a runner getting picked off at first base after the pitcher fakes to third.

- It’s hard to make Jake Delhomme look good, so congrats, Chad Henne.

- How bad was Matt Leinart for Ken Whisenhunt to say, “Let’s go with Derek Anderson,” before the season?

I’m just saying…