How the Titans actually replaced one of Derrick Henry’s greatest abilities without the NFL world realizing it
NASHVILLE – Derrick Henry is known around the NFL for his shockingly large upper body, long legs, signature hairstyle, and 2,000-yard season. He's also known as the fave of the Tennessee Titans. No. 22 jerseys are everywhere in Nashville and for the last handful of years, Titans football has been associated with the iconic image […]
NASHVILLE – Derrick Henry is known around the NFL for his shockingly large upper body, long legs, signature hairstyle, and 2,000-yard season.
He's also known as the fave of the Tennessee Titans. No. 22 jerseys are everywhere in Nashville and for the last handful of years, Titans football has been associated with the iconic image of Henry sprinting down the sideline in Jacksonville for a 99-yard touchdowns run.
When he gets a head of stem with the ball in his hands, there's always a chance Henry is about to take it to the house. Breaking "the big one" and hunting for the end zone might be his greatest ability as a running back.
Few things are more exciting than watching Derrick Henry break a big touchdown run. That's certainly going to be missed in Nashville with Henry now suiting up for the Baltimore Ravens in 2024.
But believe it or not, the Titans may have actually found a way to replace Henry's knack for the big play with an underrated move this offseason.
Since the start of the 2020 season Derrick Henry has an astonishing 16 rsuhing touchdowns fro outside the 10-yard line. That's the most in the NFL and many of them are from much deeper.
Since the start of the 2021 season, Henry has 10 touchdowns runs fro outside the 10-yard line. That's more than any other running back has and is tied with Deebo Samuel for the most int eh league over that span.
But weirdly enough, trailing closely behind Henry on the leaderboard is new Tennessee Titans running back Tony Pollard. Pollard signed a three-year, $21.75 million deal with the Titans this offseason. He also has eight (8) rushing touchdowns from 10+ yards out over the last three seasons. He's no stranger to breaking a big play.
Pollard has an impressive six rushing touchdowns of 40+ yards in his career. He also has a few receptions for 60+ yards touchdowns and a 100-yard kick return score.
Just like Henry, Pollard is explosive when he gets the ball in space. Titans running back Tyjae Spears also showed flashes of that ability behind a poor offensive line in his rookie season.
So while some Titans fans might be missing Derrick Henry's explosive runs this fall, the new tandem in Tennessee has things covered.
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