Titans RB Derrick Henry once again gets disrespected by national media

CBS Sports recently ranked the top 10 running back seasons in NFL history. When I clicked on the article, I was expecting to see two Tennessee Titans running backs on the list. 2009 Chris Johnson and 2020 Derrick Henry. One was included. One was not. CBS Sports ranked Johnson's 2009 season as the tenth best […]

Zach Ragan Tennessee Volunteers News Writer
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Titans RB Derrick Henry

CBS Sports recently ranked the top 10 running back seasons in NFL history.

When I clicked on the article, I was expecting to see two Tennessee Titans running backs on the list.

2009 Chris Johnson and 2020 Derrick Henry.

One was included. One was not.

CBS Sports ranked Johnson's 2009 season as the tenth best season ever by a running back. Johnson rushed for 2,006 yards and 14 touchdowns in 2009. He also caught 50 passes for 503 yards and two touchdowns.

Here's CBS Sports' full rankings:

  1. Barry Sanders — 1997 (Lions)
  2. Eric Dickerson — 1984 (Rams)
  3. Terrell Davis — 1998 (Broncos)
  4. OJ Simpson — 1973 (Bills)
  5. Jim Brown — 1963 (Browns)
  6. LaDainian Tomlinson — 2006 (Chargers)
  7. Walter Payton — 1977 (Bears)
  8. Adrian Peterson — 2012 (Vikings)
  9. Earl Campbell — 1979 (Oilers)
  10. Chris Johnson — 2009 (Titans)
Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) runs the ball during the first quarter at Nissan Stadium Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021 in Nashville, Tenn. Titans Chiefs 079
Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) runs the ball during the first quarter at Nissan Stadium Sunday, Oct. 24, 2021 in Nashville, Tenn.Titans Chiefs 079

I'll admit it — that's a tough list for a running back to crack. I don't dislike their choices. But I just think you have to make room for Henry's 2020 season.

What Henry did in 2020 — an era where the NFL is mostly a passing league — was simply incredible. 2,027 yards and 17 touchdowns in 16 games. That's one of the best statistical seasons ever for a running back (Henry was just the eighth running back to ever rush for more than 2,000 yards in a season). And again, he did it while playing in a league that is throwing the ball more than ever.

Henry was downright dominant in 2020, routinely lighting up Sportscenter with his vicious stiff arms.

There's no way to defend that. Henry has elite speed yet he's the size of an outside linebacker. He's basically a defensive back's nightmare.

What Henry did in 2020 was impressive as any season I've seen from an NFL player. And it was absolutely one of the 10 best seasons ever by a running back.

Featured image via Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports