Five of Titans star Derrick Henry’s attributes that make him one of the NFL’s elite
The Chiefs didn’t have to watch film of the Tennessee Titans’ two victories in this year’s playoffs to know running back Derrick Henry could be a handful.
That lesson was learned in November when the Titans defeated the Chiefs 35-32 in Nashville.
Henry ran for 188 yards in 23 carries with two touchdowns, including one that went for 68 yards.
Stopping Henry will be no easy task in Sunday’s AFC Championship Game. Here are five attributes that make Henry a great running back:
EYES: In the days before the Titans’ 20-13 win over New England in a Wild Card game on Jan. 4, Patriots coach Bill Belichick praised Henry. “He’s got good vision. For his size, he sees things well,” Belichick told AL.com. “He has good quickness. He can get into space quickly and make the right cuts.
HEART: No workload seems to be too big. In his senior season at Alabama, Henry carried the ball 36 or more times four times in the Crimson Tide’s final seven games, including the SEC Championship Game and the National Championship Game. In the last two NFL playoff games, Henry has 66 total rushing attempts. “I love playing,” he told the Associated Press
ARM: Nick Saban, Henry’s coach at Alabama, noted Saturday in an interview on CBS: “He’s got a great stiff arm.” Hours later Ravens safety Earl Thomas learned that during the Titans’ 28-12 win in Baltimore. Henry shoved Thomas aside twice on one run, showing how tough it can be to tackle the Titans star.
LEGS: Henry keeps his legs churning even when a defensive player makes an initial hit. Pro Football Focus said he led the NFL by picking up an average of 4.2 yards after contact in the regular season. In the playoffs that number has increased to 4.7 yards per carry.
FEET: For a big running back (Henry is 6 foot 3, 247 pounds), Henry is fleet of foot. He can turn on the afterburners, and reached a top speed of 21.64 mph during a 75-yard touchdown run two seasons ago.
