Time flies. It seems like it wasn’t that long ago that Tennessee Titans fans were turning on Madden on the Playstation ox XBOX, selecting the two-tone blue, and taking every opportunity to beat up on the hated Jacksonville Jaguars and Maurice Jones-Drew. Yep, that hit-stick got a lot of use every time you had a direct line at MJD.
Oh, and don’t get it twisted. He may be retired from the game, but if you find yourself playing Madden Ultimate Team, and your opponent has Jones-Drew on the roster, don’t be surprised if some of those old emotions creep back into your subconscious. Old habits die hard huh?
MJD truly annoyed Titans fans at times as, in 14 career regular-season games versus Tennessee, he picked up 1,086 yards on 225 carries, another 308 yards on 39 receptions, and he found his way into the end zone ten times. Tennessee often got the result that they wanted. They were 8-6 versus Jaguars teams with MJD in the lineup. Make no mistake about it though. You had to know where Jones-Drew was.
The former Tennessee Titans rival tips his cap to Derrick Henry.
These days, MJD irritates Tennessee Titans fans in a different fashion as he offers his hot takes on NFL Network. Recently, he ranked the NFL’s starting running backs from top to bottom. You can’t accuse him of any personal bias here as he tips his cap to The King, Derrick Henry.
How could he not though and be seen as credible? Either way, here’s what he had to say in reference to the man who really has a shot at running for 2.000 yards or more for a second-consecutive season.
"2020 stats: 16 games | 378 att | 2,027 rush yds | 5.4 ypc | 17 rush TDs | 19 rec | 114 rec yds | 0 rec TDs:Do I really need to make a case for why Derrick Henry deserves to hold this spot? King Henry is the reigning Offensive Player of the Year after rushing for 2,027 yards and 17 touchdowns. He’s one of the main reasons the Titans won the AFC South for the first time since 2008. Henry is the cream of the crop."
During the 2020 NFL season, The King ran around, past, and sometimes, through defenders en route to a spot on the 2,000-yard club. He’s only the eighth player in NFL history to do that. He’s also the two-time reigning rushing champion, the two-time reigning NFL rushing touchdowns leader, a First-Team All-Pro in 2020, and the NFL Offensive Player of the Year.
Add that to two Pro Bowl nods that he’s been given over the past two seasons. Sure, you already know that. It just feels good to say it again… and again and again. Look for him to make magic happen again during the 2021-2022 NFL season, especially with the 17th game being added.