I remember when Derrick Henry won the Heisman while playing for the Alabama Crimson Tide. That was a special year and even then, I said to myself, I can’t wait to see what he does when he gets to the next level. In 2016, the Tennessee Titans drafted Derrick with the 45th pick in the second round of the NFL Draft. Early on, it was a challenge for him. Some labeled him as soft because he was afraid of contact it appeared. These last few years, he’s put himself on the map. Last Summer, the Titans agreed to give him a contract extension and rightfully deserved. In the 2020 season, Derrick became the eighth running back to join the 2,000-yard rushing club. This season, he’s been on a tear. There were speculations that he would break Eric Dickerson’s rushing record. Unfortunately, that may not happen. Derrick is going to have surgery on his foot after suffering an injury.
This is the best running back in the league, easily. He’s proven that the last two years. 2019 was the breakout year and he almost ran the Titans to the Super Bowl during that postseason. This guy is the size of defensive ends playing the running back position. Derrick is 6’3 and 247 pounds of pure strength. Here’s what’s funny. Defenses know that he’s going to get the football and he will run right at you. There’s no sugarcoating or anything and there’s no answer for it. What amazes me when I watch him is how he gets stronger as the game goes on. In the fourth quarter, he’s still going! Yes, he’s a power back, but the one thing he never receives enough credit for is his speed. For a man his size, he’s extremely quick and knows how to put his foot on the gas pedal. You just don’t see guys move how he moves at his size. Last year, someone told me he might be the closest thing to Jerome Bettis. I respectfully disagreed and said I don’t see it because he’s quicker than Jerome ever was. Just a few weeks ago on Facebook, someone tagged me in a status saying he was a modern-day Christian Okoye. Again, I disagreed, and I said the same thing: He’s faster than Christian. Derrick is at his best when he’s running on the edge. In between the tackles is one thing, but when he can bounce outside, it’s scary. This man is his own breed. That’s how special he is. I really can’t compare him to anyone.
It is such an unfortunate injury for one of the best in the league. Derrick was off to another fast start this year and he was sitting at the MVP table with the season he was having. He is the Titans offense. They pride themselves on running the football. Derrick accounts for about 80 percent of their offense. It’s always gone through him. He’s expected to have surgery tomorrow and there’s no timetable for his return. The Titans have signed Adrian Peterson as his replacement. Get well soon Derrick. I can’t wait to see him back on the field.
