Derrick Henry Needs a New Role in the Tennessee Titans Offense
By Luke Worsham
Derrick Henry could thrive in a new role on offense in 2017.
If you attended a Titans game at Nissan Stadium, you undoubtedly heard at least one fan mention the name of their favorite Heisman Trophy winning running back from Alabama. The fan was likely yelling for the Titans to give him more carries, almost as if they thought Mike Mularkey could hear them.
If you listened to sports radio in Nashville at any point during a discussion about the Titans last season, you probably heard a listener call into the show and declare that Derrick Henry should be getting more carries in the Titans’ “exotic smash-mouth” attack.
For whatever reason, a considerable number of Titans fans complained about Derrick Henry’s role in the offense throughout the season. Why is this so puzzling? Because the running back who was getting the carries, DeMarco Murray, led the AFC in rushing and made the Pro Bowl.
When the Titans drafted Henry in the second round of the 2016 draft, Jon Robinson immediately declared that Murray would remain the team’s workhorse, with Henry serving as a complementary piece, giving the duo the title “Thunder and Thunder.” For this reason, Murray was able to have great success. He was able to focus on running, not worrying about the exciting rookie behind him on the depth chart.
Former Titans running back Eddie George emphasized to me in January the importance of not forcing Murray to split carries with Henry, saying:
"“I was never a big fan of splitting carries because you don’t allow the running back to get into a good rhythm. They did a good job of saying ‘Derrick’s going to be the backup and DeMarco’s going to be the starter, and you saw the result. DeMarco had a fantastic year both in receiving and running the football, and Derrick is going to get his touches as well.”"
Though fans objected, the football world was pretty much unanimous in agreeing with Mularkey and Robinson’s decision to let Murray carry the load. Henry finished the season with nearly 500 yards rushing, with an average of 4.5 yards per carry.
The 2016 season may have come to an end, but the questions about Henry’s role most certainly have not. At a season-ticket holder event in February, Mularkey was asked about what Henry’s role would look like in 2017.
"“Derrick is an important part of our offense, but DeMarco is the guy. He’s been the guy and he still is, though game plan changes every week based on how we want to attack. Derrick will be a big part of our offense. I like the 1-2 punch.”"
It doesn’t seem like Henry’s role will change much in terms of workload and volume. I agree that the Titans should most certainly not sacrifice Murray’s carries in favor of Henry, but Mularkey and offensive coordinator Terry Robiskie need to change the way that they use their second year back.
Last season, Henry served as nothing more than a spell back. When Murray needed a rest, Henry got the ball. He had success in this position, but never really made any exciting plays. To change this, the Titans must allow Henry to be their closer.
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Most successful Major League Baseball teams have a “lights-out” closing pitcher. Though a team’s closer is often the best pitcher on the roster, they only pitch for one inning because that’s what their skill-set is the best for. This could be due to a number of things, such as a lack of stamina or a small pitch arsenal.
Baseball fans don’t complain because the best pitcher on their team pitches only one inning. When Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon gave Aroldis Chapman seemingly too much work early in the World Series, fans complained because they knew it would limit his effectiveness down the stretch. If Derrick Henry proved effective in a similar role for the Titans, fans begging for him to get more playing time would look even more ridiculous than they already do.
What Henry did last year for the Titans is difficult. Whereas Murray was able to get a feel for each game and get into a rhythm, Henry was constantly coming off the bench cold. He was effective nonetheless.
If the Titans have the lead down the stretch of the fourth quarter this year, they have to turn to Henry. These situations were really the only thing Murray struggled with last season. Give an already exhausted defense Derrick Henry with fresh legs, and they simply won’t have much of a chance to stop him.
At this point in his career, Henry simply hasn’t proven that he’s capable of being a viable bell cow runner in the NFL, though I do agree he also hasn’t really gotten an opportunity to do so. He has plenty of talent, but just not as much as DeMarco Murray.
Thus, Henry’s volume as a runner should remain about the same, but his role should not. By still allowing Murray to be the uncontested starting running back, the Titans keep a Pro Bowl player and team leader on the field as much as possible. By letting Derrick Henry be a true fourth quarter, closing running back, the Titans could finally, once and for all, fix their issues with finishing games and not squandering late leads.
Consistent success in those situations could take the Titans from a team watching the playoffs at home, to a competitor.