Can Less Mean More for Henry?

NASHVILLE – Name it the Derrick Dilemma.

A query that has popped up usually with regard to Derrick Henry over the previous few seasons appears much more pertinent this yr: Is it time for the Tennessee Titans to trim the workload of their workhorse operating again?

Earlier than you reply that query, think about one other: Would the Titans get the most effective Henry in the event that they do in the reduction of on his carries?

The 2-time NFL dashing champion has piled up an unbelievable 900 regular-season carries over the previous three years, regardless of lacking 9 video games as a consequence of damage in 2021. He averaged 20.2 carries per sport in 2019, 23.6 carries per sport in 2020 and a whopping 27.4 within the first eight video games of 2021.

The damaged foot Henry sustained final season was the primary important damage of his six-year profession. Although he returned for Tennessee’s playoff loss to Cincinnati, the damage was a reminder that even the 28-year-old is mortal. Would possibly that lead the Titans to tweak their Henry-centric offensive strategy a bit in 2022, both by passing extra continuously or by sharing the carries extra with backs like rookie Hassan Haskins?

What must be thought of – if the Titans have been to cut back Henry’s carries – is that a part of his effectiveness stems from a capability to pound away on a protection all sport together with his 6-foot-3, 247-pound body, typically instances sporting down his opponents and paving the best way for giant runs.

Right here’s some proof:

• Since 2017, Henry leads the league in fourth-quarter dashing by a margin of almost 500 yards. He’s carried 337 instances within the fourth quarter over these 5 years, totaling 1,813 yards (5.4-yard common) and 16 touchdowns.

• Henry has rushed for an eye-opening 11 touchdowns of fifty yards or extra in his profession. Eight of these have taken place within the second half – 4 every within the third and fourth quarters.

• On carries 1-10 in his profession, Henry has averaged 4.3 yards per try. Then issues leap as the sport progresses. Henry has averaged 5.7 yards per try on carries 11-20, and 4.8 yards per try on carries 21-30. On the 18 makes an attempt he’s carried within the 31 or larger vary, Henry has averaged 7.3 yards.

A have a look at how Derrick Henry has picked up steam as video games have progressed all through his profession: 

It’s laborious to think about the offense altering radically from the ground-and-pound strategy we’ve seen lately, particularly contemplating the group’s the passing sport would possibly endure some early struggles with new receivers.

Offensive coordinator Todd Downing was requested, in reality, whether or not the return of a wholesome Henry would additionally imply the return of an offense that ran via the previous Heisman Trophy winner.

“I bear in mind having a dialogue circling round (altering the offensive strategy) when Derrick sadly obtained injured final yr,” Downing stated. “Our id doesn’t change simply due to who’s within the sport. We play a sure model of soccer right here and I feel (Titans coach Mike Vrabel) does an superior job of portray a imaginative and prescient of what it takes to win soccer video games. So having Derrick is clearly an amazing luxurious. However that doesn’t change who we’re or how we play. We’re going to determine that course of week by week and what it takes to win video games within the fall.”

Henry, in the meantime, sounds as if he’s prepared and keen to pound away as soon as extra. If there was a silver lining to final yr’s damage, it might solely have served to additional inspire the NFL’s 2020 Offensive Participant of the Yr.

“I’ve been coaching like loopy and doing every thing I can to get my physique proper,” Henry stated throughout the group’s minicamp. “I’ve simply been working … I felt good (within the playoff loss), however I didn’t play properly sufficient. There’s no excuse. I obtained to be higher and I ought to have been higher. However I really feel good now.”