Tennessee Titans RB Derrick Henry goes to bat for his QB, Ryan Tannehill

A quarterback’s best friend is a solid running game. We’ve all heard that since we were playing in the Pop Warner, Youth Football, and elementary school leagues, and if that simple theory still holds some credence, as most of us believe it does, there isn’t a quarterback on Planet Earth that has a better friend than Tennessee Titans quarterback Ryan Tannehill.

His buddy in the offensive backfield is Derrick Henry, a man who, despite being screwed out of the highest overall rating in EA’s Madden game, also, according to WynnBET, has the highest odds of winning the NFL’s rushing title. It would be the third season in a row that the NFL’s Offensive Player of the Year for 2020 has done that.

Henry is so good that his quarterback is sometimes criticized for it. On the final Thursday of July, he addressed that sentiment as he took a few moments to hang out with the members of Tennessee’s sports media.

The Tennessee Titans star running back goes to war for his quarterback.

As crazy as it may sound, despite the fact that no QB in their right mind would ever frown on an opportunity to play with the game’s best runner of the football (and a man that has led the NFL in rushing touchdowns for two straight seasons), Tannehill’s career resurgence and his star have been dimmed in the eyes of some because of King Henry’s presence.

After all, he wouldn’t be accomplishing the things he’s accomplished had he not had the supporting cast he’s had, right? Come on. That’s what some of you believe right?

Henry addressed that notion, and here’s what the Tennessee Titans legend in the making had to say:

"Ryan’s play speaks for itself, the impact that he has on this team. I think we all know that. I think you guys know that. That’s all that needs to be said. People can have opinions and say anything, but his body or work speaks for itself."

That’s short, succinct, to the point, and accurate. Well said, Mr. Henry. Well said.

First thing’s first. The theory that Tannehill is less of a quarterback because he’s surrounded by talent is flawed. Should Troy Aikman apologize for having Michael Irvin and Emmitt Smith as teammates? Should Joe Montana apologize for the opportunity to throw the ball to Jerry Rice?

Tannehill will line up with Henry, A.J. Brown, Julio Jones, one of the league’s best offensive lines, and a slew of great role players in 2021. That shouldn’t be seen as a flaw. If anything, we should be saying something else. Sure, the supporting cast helps Tannehill a ton, but the ship won’t sail if he isn’t out there.

Think about it. How’s Marcus Mariota doing these days?