Former Alabama RB Derrick Henry discusses being a backup last year, plans for this fall
By Adam Spencer
Published:
Going to the NFL was a big change for former Alabama RB Derrick Henry last year.
At Alabama, the 2015 Heisman Trophy winner was a workhorse, carrying 395 times for 2,219 yards and 28 touchdowns during his Heisman season.
However, as a rookie second-round pick of the Tennessee Titans in 2016, Henry saw his workload drastically reduced, receiving only 110 carries for 490 yards and five touchdowns.
As he prepares for what he hopes will be a bigger role in 2017, he told TitansOnline.com that he learned a lot as a rookie and is ready to impress this fall:
“It was different, coming off the year that I had in college, coming in and being the second guy,” Henry said. “But it was a growth year, an experience year, and it helped me learn a lot and prepared me this year to get better.”
A day after starter DeMarco Murray praised Henry, Henry said he’s trying to do what he can to impress Murray even more when the Titans kick off their 2017 campaign:
“I am just trying to get better, and help the team,” Henry said. “Even when I am not the starter, I feel like the starter. You go out here in training camp and try and make plays.
“(My mindset) is to be better than last year in all aspects of my game. I was training, working out hard (this offseason). I just want to try and do everything I can do to be better than I was last year, from running to catching to blocking.”
If Henry improves in year two of his NFL career and Murray remains his usual talented self, the Titans should have one of the league’s best rushing attacks this year.
Adam is a daily fantasy sports (DFS) and sports betting expert. A 2012 graduate of the University of Missouri, Adam now covers all 16 SEC football teams. He is the director of DFS, evergreen and newsletter content across all Saturday Football brands.
