Titans RB Derrick Henry takes responsibility for run-game woes FR24 News English

[ad_1]

December 6, 2022

Turron DavenportESPN

Close Covered Eagles for USA Today Covered the Ravens for the Baltimore Times Played college football at the University of Cheyney

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Derrick Henry was clearly frustrated when he stepped on the podium after going just 30 yards in the Tennessee Titans’ 35-10 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday.

Just three weeks ago, Henry reclaimed the NFL’s No. 1 rusher spot after gaining 87 yards against the Green Bay Packers.

Since then, Henry has rushed for just 68 yards in the past two games and now finds himself behind Las Vegas Raiders running back Josh Jacobs and Cleveland Browns running back Nick Chubb. Henry rushed for 1,078 yards and 10 touchdowns on 258 carries in 12 games.

The 6-foot-3, 247-pound running back has averaged just 2.77 yards per carry over the past three games after averaging 4.57 yards in the first nine. Titans coach Mike Vrabel was quick to answer any questions when asked if Henry was running out.

• Herbert pleads to get paid • Power shift in NFC North? • CeeDee Lamb appears as a WR1 • Do Giants trust Jones? • White gets shot in redemption

If not, what went wrong?

Henry is always one to deflect credit to the offensive line with receivers and tight ends when the ground game is buzzing. But he goes out of his way to take the blame when things don’t work out.

“I’m my worst critic,” Henry said. “I have to be a better leader. I’m proud to be a playmaker for this team, and I feel like I haven’t really done that for the past two weeks.”

There are more times Henry gets tackled by a defender this season. What’s a little confusing about this is how much of a defensive back this solo tackler is at times.

Henry’s patented stiff arm that prevented would-be tacklers from knocking him down was also less common.

But Henry has shown flashes this season. He had a five-game streak in which he rushed for 100 or more yards, including a 219-yard blast against the Houston Texans.

The Titans (7-5) have won four of those games, but Tennessee has lost its last two games, coinciding with Henry’s rut.

Offensive coordinator Todd Downing stressed how important it is to get Henry to his fourth or fifth leg if the Titans are to run the ball effectively. This is where the Titans fail as a group.

The Titans strive to move Henry’s momentum to the line of scrimmage on his rushing attempts. That’s why they’ve consistently fielded him eight yards behind the ball when quarterback Ryan Tannehill is under center.

During practice, Tennessee instructs running backs to stand in a box that is bounded and placed eight yards behind a strip that represents the line of scrimmage so they are used to getting the necessary depth.

Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry ran for 30 yards on 11 carries Sunday against the Philadelphia Eagles. John Jones/Icon Sportswire

Henry is too often hit on or behind the line of scrimmage. According to ESPN Stats & Information, Henry has averaged 1 yard before first contact on each of his 11 carries against the Eagles.

While that’s still bad, it’s a slight improvement from the 0.8-yard average before first contact Henry had against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 12. The week before, Henry had no on average only 0.9 yards before contact against the Packers. These two figures are the second and third lowest averages of Henry’s career.

Henry is now averaging 1.67 yards per carry, a career low, before contact this season. It’s 49th of 50 qualified runners in average yards before contact this season. [ahead of only Los Angeles Rams running back Cam Akers].

Everything you need this week:• Full Schedule » | Rankings »• Depth charts for each team »• Transactions » | Injuries » • Football Power Index Rankings » More NFL coverage »

“We have to find ways to create space for Derrick,” Vrabel said. “X games come with him on the second level. But there has to be space. Other times he has to help us find that space.”

The Bengals used a bear front to slow Henry, meaning they had a defensive lineman lined up directly above the guard-center-guard trio. The forward covered the inside offensive linemen, allowing the linebackers to have a clear path to Henry in the backfield.

As a result, Henry was hit more often in the backfield.

Sunday’s game saw the Eagles use a different strategy to clog running lanes and eliminate space for Henry to run. Philadelphia didn’t reach Henry as quickly as the Bengals when he carried the ball, but held it within yards.

Regardless of the opponent’s approach, it all comes down to beating the man in front of them. This is where the Titans offensive line needs to be more cohesive.

“We just have to win the line of scrimmage,” left guard Aaron Brewer said. “Cover up and be more aggressive. That’s about it.”

[ad_2]