Titans Radio Analyst Raves About Derrick Henry

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Last year, Titans running back Derrick Henry led the NFL in rushing yards (1,540) and rushing touchdowns (16) and finished second in carries of 10-plus yards (42). Then he almost single-handedly carried Tennessee to the Super Bowl.

In other words, he had a pretty good year.

Can we expect the Titans to utilize another run-heavy approach in 2020? 

In short, yes – mainly because Henry is built for it.

“He grinds every day,” Titans Radio Network color commentator Dave McGinnis said on Tiki & Tierney. “He’s a grinder, and it’s important to him. He doesn’t say much. This outside zone that they’re running – and the play-action that comes off of it – it’s not necessarily that the run sets up the pass; the play-action pass sometimes sets up the run off of all that outside-zone look. I’ve defended this offense for a lot of years in this league. I know the conflict it puts on your space players. So Derrick Henry, he not only can run over you, he can run away from you. He’s a special back.”

Henry spent his first two seasons backing up DeMarco Murray, during which time he rushed 286 times for 1,234 yards (4.3 yards per carry) and 10 touchdowns. 

“Derrick Henry, he didn’t have immediate success when he came into the league,” said McGinnis, who coached for the Cardinals, Titans and Rams. “[But] his work ethic and his grind is so good. I think the big change came in him, he had a real sit-down talk with Eddie George after we went over to London to play the Chargers. He just wasn’t feeling that he was doing what he knew he could do. They had a real heart-to-heart.”

Whatever George told him, it worked. In the last two seasons, Henry has rushed 518 times for 2,599 yards (5.0 yards per carry) and 28 touchdowns.

The 26-year-old was rewarded with a four-year, $50 million contract in July.

Click below to listen to McGinnis’ interview in is entirety.