Josh McDaniels blew it. Jay Cutler wants out of Denver.

Now the Miami Dolphins have to answer this right: How much do we trust Chad Henne? And: Would a package of our quarterback of today (Chad Pennington), tomorrow (Henne) and the 25th pick overall be worth landing Denver's arm of today and tomorrow?

This is a weigh station they must stop at and study. Bill Parcells' regime has been consistent and looked consistently smart for not overpaying players and valuing draft picks. But a young and rising quarterback like Cutler would be the exception to this philosophy.

It's stunning, almost stupefying, that a new coach like McDaniels would alienate the one player who made the Denver job appealing. Cutler turns 26 in April. He's done his NFL graduate work after starting most of three years. He's a cut below the star he considers himself to be, but did make the Pro Bowl last year.

Cutler, in short, is the kind of player who rarely comes on the open market. But his bond with McDaniels became strained, then broken, after Denver discussed trading him to Tampa Bay in a three-way deal, with Tampa Bay sending a No. 1 pick to New England and New England's Matt Cassel moving to Denver.

To repeat: In the isosceles triangle of that trade offer, the price tag of two potential franchise quarterbacks equaled a first-round pick (Tampa Bay's 19th overall.) Instead, New England said a lesser deal with Kansas City already was agreed upon. It received only a second-round pick for Cassel and linebacker Mike Vrabel.

So the market price for quarterbacks seems to have dropped like the Dow. Given the cost, given the position's importance, given Cutler's experience and given the Dolphins' continued rebuilding mode, the Triplets (I'm test-driving a nickname for Parcells, Jeff Ireland and Tony Sparano) would be remiss not to ask:

Are we so sure about Henne? Or is there still a gap of doubt wide enough to run a marching band through?

Pennington is out of this equation. He was great last year. There's no reason to think he won't play similarly this year. But there are two words for anyone thinking any decision about Cutler will be based on an appreciation of Pennington's 2008 or loyalty to his 2009: Grow up.

Pennington is signed one more year. He's 33 in June. He has broken down at various times. His arm lacks the gear of most great quarterbacks, though he's a perfect bridge to Henne with the Dolphins ... or in Denver.

Henne is the decision here. Henne vs. Cutler. A guy who's passed 12 times in his career vs. a three-year starter. A Big Ten star vs. a Pro Bowl quarterback. A third-round pick vs. the 11th pick overall.

But the decision also involves a guy you've worked with daily against someone whose 18 interceptions last year shows he consistently broke No. 7 of Parcells' quarterback commandments ("Throwing the ball away is a good play.")

Cutler is close to breaking commandment No. 11, too ("Don't be a celebrity quarterback"). After all, how many players throw a national tantrum for being floated in a trade? And what does it say about his emotional makeup?

Already, The Triplets passed on one franchise quarterback last draft in Matt Ryan. It seems harsh to say so, considering tackle Jake Long was drafted with that No. 1 overall pick. All Long did was make the Pro Bowl as a rookie.

But no commodity is more valuable than a franchise quarterback, not even coach, which is something McDaniels should be reminded of today.

The Triplets have the only real view of Henne thus far. He had one, successful series against Phoenix as a rookie. But his practice throws, his work habits, his dedication and development—these are issues the Dolphins must have studied. What do they really think?

Any team that needs a quarterback phoned Denver by Monday. Detroit. Tampa Bay. Minnesota. The Jets. The Dolphins should have placed a call, just to see if Cutler really will be traded.

Detroit can float the No. 1 draft pick, both a blessing and a curse, considering the dollars involved and depending on the thoughts of Georgia quarterback Matt Stafford. The Dolphins can offer Denver a simple trade: Our quarterback situation and our 25th overall pick for your quarterback situation.

It all depends on the opinion of Henne. Is he really The Franchise? This is one of those decisions that will go a long way toward defining The Triplets' long-term success, for better or worse, right or wrong, Henne or Cutler.