High standards
Titans’ Henry disappointed he hasn’t contributed more
NASHVILLE — Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry makes it very clear he is not happy with himself and his “rough” start to this season.
In his first year as a full-time starter in the NFL, the former University of Alabama standout and 2015 Heisman Trophy winner has helped the Titans to a 3-1 record. He even has taken snaps in the wildcat formation at times as the Titans have worked through injuries, including at quarterback. Although he leads the team in rushing with 163 yards, he’s averaging just 3 yards a carry. He has had 11 more carries than teammate Dion Lewis, who has 143 yards while averaging 3.3 yards a carry.
Going into today’s game against the Buffalo Bills (1-3), Henry has been working on everything and anything he can think of to improve, from being quicker with his feet to hitting the hole and going upfield faster to pass protection.
“Man, I’ve got to be better, and everybody knows that. The whole world knows it,” Henry said. “So that’s what I’m going to continue to do, just help this team.”
The Titans entered the fifth week of the season ranked 14th in the NFL by averaging 109 rushing yards per game, and Henry has been a significant contributor, running the wildcat in AFC South wins against the Houston Texans and the Jacksonville Jaguars, with the Titans rushing for 150 yards in the latter game.
Last week, the Titans faced a Philadelphia Eagles defense that was giving up an average of only 61.7 rushing yards per game, best in the league. Tennessee ran for 70 yards — with 46 by quarterback Marcus Mariota — in the 26-23 overtime win.
Tennessee offensive coordinator Matt LaFleur said the Titans knew going into the game that running would be a challenge. LaFleur noted Henry had limited opportunities, with eight carries for 24 yards and two catches for 7 yards more.
“For what we asked him to do, I thought he did a great job,” LaFleur said. “I think every game is going to have its own challenges, and we’re going to have to rely on him more times in some other games.”
Such talk isn’t comforting to Henry, who said at the start of training camp that he wanted to dominate in whatever the Titans asked him to do. He had a long run of 14 yards against the Eagles, but he also had three negative runs, including one in overtime when he was dropped for a loss of 4 yards. He also couldn’t grab the ball on a toss from Mariota in the third quarter, leading to a 12-yard loss.
“I feel like if I didn’t have that durn fumble exchange on that toss we might’ve got it done,” Henry said. “That’s all on me.”
The Titans just got their offensive line back together for the first time last week, with right tackle Jack Conklin making his season debut after tearing his left ACL last January. Running won’t be much easier today with the Bills giving up an average of just 95.3 yards per game, 11th in the NFL.
Titans coach Mike Vrabel said expecting more out of himself is a great attitude for Henry to have.
“It’s a long season,” Vrabel said. “Things are going to balance out.”