DeMarco Murray is the perfect role model for Derrick Henry

The Tennessee Titans made an interesting selection with their last 2nd round pick during the draft. They took Alabama running back Derrick Henry.

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Was this an interesting pick because he isn’t worth the selection? No, far from it. Henry is one of the most talented running backs in recent draft history and his combination of size and athleticism make him a fascinating prospect.

The reason that it is an interesting pick, is that just two months prior to the draft they traded for DeMarco Murray.

Murray is going to be the starter, that has already been confirmed. I imagine something like a 80/20 split in work to start out the year with the year ending up like 60/40 (in favor of Murray) if everyone stays healthy.

If everything works out well I believe that Henry will push for a true 50/50 split in carries before the 2017 NFL season. And while some might be concerned that a situation like that might bother DeMarco Murray, apparently it has not.

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According to multiple sources including interviews with Mike Mularkey, Murray has taken the news very well. Look at what he said on the Tennessee Titans official site:

“’Everyone gets this misconception of, ‘I want to be the only running back,’ Murray said. ‘But everywhere I’ve been, (in college at) Oklahoma, in Dallas, Philadelphia, I have always had other guys with me,’’ Murray said. ‘I think the Titans are going to do a good job of letting me do what I do, and I think the other guys will have a chance as well.

‘I have heard a lot of great things about (Henry). He’s a great kid. I am excited to work with him. Obviously we have a lot of other running backs, too, I have gotten a chance to know. But I think Derrick coming in will push everybody, and I think it is only going to help the team. I am excited to have him and I want to teach him as much as I can and hopefully I can learn from him.’”

He is a very humble guy by all accounts and he understands that this is a constant competition and that he wants another guy who competes and can give him a break in a game.

“‘From day one, make sure he stays with 82 (Jason Witten)…Everything and everywhere he goes be there by his side watching and listening. He will show him the way on and off the field.'”

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That is exactly what you want from a team leader. Murray isn’t vain and doesn’t want to be the best Dallas running back in the last 10 years and going forward, he genuinely wants to see a young player succeed on a team that let him go.

If he does that for a player he doesn’t know, just imagine what he could do with a young running back who is hungry and who has elite athleticism that he sees every day.

I believe that DeMarco Murray has a chance to quickly become one of the leaders on this team and he is someone that everyone on the roster is excited to play with. If he does well early and takes guys under his wing, the Titans could remind everyone why he was such a star in Dallas while also having a star in the locker room.

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