Look for Henry to replace Murray soon
Look for Henry to replace Murray soon
In 2016, the Titans drafted Heisman Trophy winner Derrick Henry and traded for DeMarco Murray. At some point, the Titans would switch from the older back to the younger one. It’s inevitable in the NFL world.
Murray has had an interesting career. After an impressive college career at Oklahoma, he fell in the draft. He was labeled by many as “just a third down back that can’t carry the full load.” They were wrong. Murray was excellent running behind the Dallas Cowboys best offensive line in football. Next, Murray joined the Eagles where he played quite poorly. The Titans traded for Murray. Behind one of the best lines in football, (again) Murray was the third leading rusher in the NFL. Murray will be 30 in February and that is considered “old” for an NFL running back. Is Murray’s career nearing an end?
Henry won the Heisman trophy while playing at Alabama with Titans fullback Jalston Fowler’s blocks leading the way. Henry’s huge frame and nimble feet have stirred up several nicknames: “Shocka,” “The Yulee Express,” and “Tractorcito.” If Murray is “old” then Henry is “young” at 23 years old.
Back in February, Titans coach Mike Mularkey told Jim Wyatt this:
“Derrick is an important part of our offense,’’ Mularkey said of Henry, a Heisman Trophy winner at Alabama who was a second-round pick by the Titans in last year’s draft. “Obviously DeMarco Murray is the guy. He has shown he is the guy and he will continue to be that guy.
“But I will say this: Each week we put a different game plan together. We spend a lot of hours preparing to play the opponent. And Derrick, and as you saw, some games he was more involved than others. And a lot is based on how we are going to attack the opponent. We know (Derrick) is very special. He is going to have a long, great career here and he is going to be a big part of our offense next year, as he was this year.
“I like we have a one-two punch to smash it down peoples’ throats to be honest with you.”
There was talk of Henry supplanting Murray in the preseason. During the preseason, DeMarco Murray barely played due to a hamstring injury. Derrick Henry flourished while playing with the first string offense. The talk was premature though.
DeMarco Murray has started every game during the 2017 season while Henry has been stuck in his backup role.
Above is the 75-yard run that Murray ran for against the Seattle Seahawks. That one run has padded some significant struggles. Without that run, Murray is averaging a paltry 39.6 yards per game.
The Titans line is arguably the best line in football. ProFootballFocus recently had Josh Kline as the top rated guard. Taylor Lewan made the pro bowl last season. Jack Conklin was an all-pro. Quinton Spain’s statistics stack up with the best guards in football. Ben Jones is having an excellent season. Last week the line did not play well, otherwise, they have excelled.
Murray has a noticeable pause before he hits the hole opened for him. He recently told TitansOnline that he is “not hitting it.” That would be another way to describe his hesitation. Hesitation is unacceptable for a running back. Recent Titans Bishop Sankey and David Cobb both had this issue and were replaced by Antonio Andrews. Murray must burst through the hole and remove this hesitation.
In a limited backup role, Derrick Henry is averaging 37.4 yards per game. That’s just 2.2 yards less than Murray in the scenario above. Henry is only getting 8 carries per game. A backup running back should not gain (almost) as many yards as the starter on just 8 carries per game.
Coach Mularkey prides himself on having a dominant run game. He has often stated his appreciation for the nickname “Exotic Smashmouth” that was given to the Titans offense last season. 39 yards is neither exotic nor smashmouth.
There may be an imaginary deadline for Murray to produce by. The Titans play the Colts on Monday night. The next week, the Titans play the Browns. Then they have a bye week. The bye is commonly when changes are made for NFL teams. If Murray is still not producing, expect the Titans to make a change.
A change would not signal retirement for Murray. The supposed “just a third-down back” could be extremely useful in the Titans backfield in such a role. He is an excellent blocker and receiver. Obviously, he would be capable of filling in for Henry as well. One other added advantage would be Murray’s ability to play wide receiver. Last season, he lined up in the slot the first few games and led the Titans in receiving during that time. Murray could flourish in a backup role and play for several more years.
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