(Photo: Star Local Media)
Derrick Henry is one of the many big names to go to Alabama and play for Nick Saban. That’s a long list, but that is a discussion for another day. When T.J. Yeldon decided to declare for the NFL Draft, Derrick took over as the starting Running Back in 2015 and never looked back. His 2015 season is one of the best I’ve seen from a back in college. He rushed for 2,219 yards and 28 touchdowns on 395 carries and for his stellar season, he was rewarded with the Heisman and beat out both Christian McCaffrey and Deshaun Watson to win the award. That same season, Derrick helped lead the Crimson Tide to a National Championship. The Tennessee Titans would draft the star Running Back in the second round with the 45th overall pick. Derrick started as a backup before becoming the starter once again and has flourished. Everyone had a feeling that last season would be his last in a Titans uniform. This upcoming season, Derrick will be playing in Baltimore as a member of the Ravens.
He is still elite and one of the best Running Backs in the league today and I can honestly say that he maybe the toughest offensive player that isn’t a Quarterback to prepare for, or one of the toughest. The first thing you notice when you see him is how mammoth of a man he is. Most Running Backs are maybe 5’11 at the tallest, that’s not Derrick at all. He is 6’3 and weighs about 247 pounds which is the size of many Linebackers or defensive players in general! This is a freight train coming at you and think about it this way: He’s over 240 pounds and he can run the 40-yard dash in 4.52 seconds. That size mixed with the speed he has is lethal. I’ve often said on this site, on the radio or even talking football with some people over the years that this is a Defensive End with track star speed. The first thing many assume when you look at him is he’s a power back and yes, that’s true, but Derrick can also play small and squeeze his way through tight lanes for those tough yards. Downhill is all he knows as he’s looking to power himself through a defense into that second and third level. In the open field, Derrick is an absolute menace to take down and for years, I have always advised teams to tackle him low because if you don’t, he will stiff arm you and embarrass you. The more the game goes on, the stronger he gets and he has that ability to wear a defense down. If you don’t bring your lunch pail when playing against him, it’s going to be a long day at the office. What’s always impressed me is the vision and shiftiness he plays with. Also, he doesn’t always depend on trucking through people to get through as he can fake one way and cut the other.
I love this move for the Baltimore Ravens. With the way Derrick runs the football and how the Ravens can establish the ground game, this is a hand and glove fit if you ask me. The thought of a two-time MVP winning Quarterback in Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry in the same backfield is scary to imagine. With this signing, Baltimore gets them a 2,000 yard rushing club member and a former Offensive Player of the Year. I can’t wait to see how this all unfolds for their offense, especially with how run centric they are as a unit.
