OTL: Any Worry About Henry’s Age?

While much of the sporting world has been positive concerning the Ravens’ acquisition of punishing running back Derrick Henry, there have been a few kinda-sorta-sideways comments attached that put a little cold water on the expectations.

“Of course, Henry is 30, so be wary of that wall.”

“Henry is still good, but has lost a step.”

And so on.

I get it. Henry is at that age when many running backs tend to find heavier legs beneath them, and maybe they just don’t have that burst to turn a nine-yard gain into a 70-yard house call, or a one-yard pickup into a five-yarder. And, in fact, Henry did rush for a career-low 4.2 yards per carry last season for Tennessee.

That being said, did you see that line he was running behind last year? Or the quarterbacks he had playing with him? Or, well, any part of that Titan(ic) mess last season?

A closer look at the numbers can tell a little different story about his effectiveness. Yes, Henry only ran for 4.2 yards per tote, but he accumulated a PFF rating of 90.1, forcing 57 missed tackles and generating 3.32 yards after contact — which is an impressive number considering how many times his line allowed him to be contacted behind the line, before getting a full head of steam.

According to Pro Football Reference, Henry ran for just 2.0 yards before contact last season per carry, the lowest mark of his career. To contrast that, the Ravens were second in the league in that department — allowing their backs an impressive 3.1 yards per tote before making contact.

You don’t think that will matter? An extra yard of picking up steam by a tank?

Another item that could work in the Ravens’ favor this upcoming season in regard to the Ravens run game is the timing. Henry will be able to start the season with fresh legs — barring a training camp disaster — and they can ride the big man early. At some point, Keaton Mitchell is expected to return this season, and the hope is his fresh legs can take a big load towards the end of the regular season, allowing Henry to heal and recover a bit before the playoffs.

At that point, assuming an offensive attack that remembers to include the run game, the Ravens could have a potential juggernaut of a running back rotation in January.

Mitchell, in his abbreviated time last season, showed incredible burst and the ability to generate big plays at any moment. He had 5.1 yards before being contacted, and it’s safe to assume that his speed coming into games on the heels of Henry battering linebackers could be truly explosive.

Go light, or go heavy. The Ravens should be able to play their type of game regardless of the defense, or personnel, against them.

But, not to beat a dead horse, the Ravens will have to stay committed to the run. It’s honestly something opponents don’t want to see.

Chiefs’ safety Justin Reid said on “The Green Light” podcast, per Sports Illustrated, that he was grateful the Ravens decided to stop doing that in last year’s AFC Championship game.

“You know what, I’m not exactly sure why they abandoned it, but I’m glad that they did,” Reid said.

“That team is brute and brawn and is blue-collar and is going to run the ball down your throat,” Reid said of the Ravens. “We knew if you don’t stop the run, they’re not going to stop running it. So, the emphasis was to stop the run and we wanted to make a statement there that we could both match and exceed that physicality and try to change the dynamics of the game. Try to make them change what they’re doing and try to make them find a different way to beat us than running the ball.”

Lesson learned? Let’s hope so.

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