Running backs aren't dead. Head coaches are silly. I know the Titans don't have a Lombardi yet to truly brag or have proof or whatever, but I truly believe that the running back position is extremely important to a team's offensive success.
People are absolutely silly when they rave over these cute running backs and their 'versatility'. Cool. Your running back can catch a screen pass or a catch a checkdown. Wow. I am so amazed bro.
I also find it funny when people say that Henry or other big traditional backs have a short lifespan in the NFL. Does Derrick Henry have a shorter career or does Kamara and McCaffery? Who gets used and abused more, really?
When Derrick Henry is on the field, he has one mission. That mission is to run right at you. I know that some teams can apparently 'shut down' Henry. Any player can get shut down though, it happens. Really though most games that teams claim they 'shut down' Henry are games where the Titans fall behind and they can't run quite as consistently.
It's amazing and amusing when people spazz over how 'wow look at how many rushing yards AND receiving yards this running back has, sweet such a BEAST'. Bruh. The NFL really just wants to use and abuse backs like that and cheapen the position and try to get 3-5 yards if they're lucky any chance they get. To an extent I get that, you need yards of course. But to sit there and act like a running back like that is just sooooo good is just a joke to me. At the end of the day an offense either runs or passes. That's about it. Defenses aren't exactly thinking 'ohhhhh man is that back gonna run or catch I'm shaking in my boots over here!'. No. In reality, offenses that rely on a back to be a number one receiver and runner are just kinda dumb in my opinion. Most backs, yes even Derrick Henry, can catch.
What makes Derrick special is the fact that he usually can't be stopped. Teams know that Henry is a force when it comes to running the ball. That's a worry and a threat for sure. When you play the Titans there is no way of avoiding Henry. He will get the ball. He is a RUNNING back. In all of football's history the field has been the same size and there has been the same amount of players, eleven on eleven. The fact that teams want to get cute and try to reinvent the wheel is kind of dumb, it just is.
Watching Derrick Henry over the past few years and this special season is just a pleasure. This man just ran over 2,000 yards and nobody seems to care for some reason. That is precisely why I went on my little rant just now. The media and dumb casual fans have no idea how good this guy is.
He is a relatively quiet and humble guy playing on a small market team. He just runs and throws people. He made 2,000 rushing yards look EASY. He just sort of takes a couple strides and he picks up 5 yards. When he falls forward he gets 2.
On top of those gains, he will outrun your fastest corner. At 6'3", 240 pounds if not bigger. He will run over your linebacker and then stiff arm your safety.
This man is AMAZING. If he gets to a fast start it's literally almost a for sure W for the Titans, that's how I feel.
This is greatness down in Nashville and I feel lucky he's a Titan.
Titans Running Back Legacy
There have been only EIGHT running backs in NFL history to run for 2,000 yards in a season. Two of those running backs are Tennessee Titans! That's an impressive stat!
In my lifetime I have been truly spoiled when it comes to the Titans having ELITE running backs. I grew up with Eddie George, then Chris Johnson, and now Derrick Henry! All three of those guys could one day be in the Hall of Fame! Not to mention some solid honorable mentions in between those three guys.
What a special season, what a special FRANCHISE.
#Titanup baby!!