Derrick Henry is taller and heavier than all however three members of the Giants’ beginning protection.
There may be nothing in right this moment’s pass-first NFL fairly just like the problem of going through the preeminent energy working again of his era, which could clarify why Giants cornerback Adoree’ Jackson — Henry’s former Tennessee Titans teammate — crossed sports activities for an apt comparability.
“He’s going to do what he does,” Jackson stated. “LeBron James goes to be LeBron James: You could possibly cool him off for like one, two, three quarters, however on the finish of the day he’s nonetheless going to get his factors. Simply put 11 hats to the ball [against Henry] and simply attempt to restrict him as a lot as attainable. However, I imply, that’s the highest again within the league.”
Defensive coordinator Wink Martindale caught to soccer for his comparability — however traveled again about 60 years to elucidate what awaits Sunday when the Giants go to the Titans.
“He’s like our modern-day Jim Brown, I feel,” Martindale stated. “He’s simply that a lot totally different when he has the ball in his fingers, so it’s a problem each time he touches it.”
The 6-foot-3, 247-pound Henry has averaged 5 yards on 900 carries over the previous three seasons, successful back-to-back dashing titles with 1,540 yards in 2019 and a pair of,027 in 2020. Earlier than a damaged bone in his proper foot prompted him to overlook the ultimate 9 video games of the 2021 common season, Henry was so dominant that he had extra dashing yards after contact (587 of his 783) than every other participant had complete dashing yards via six weeks.
“There’s a cause why they name Derrick Henry ‘The King,’ ” Martindale stated. “As a result of he’s on the Iron Throne, for all you Recreation of Thrones followers.”
A full array of “Derrick Henry stiff arm” GIFs stay on social media for these thinking about seeing helpless defensive backs flying to the bottom. Punishment isn’t as straightforward to dole out on 300-pounders.
“Should you watch tape on Derrick Henry, he’s positively a giant again, however you don’t see him being a giant again till he will get in area,” defensive lineman Leonard Williams instructed The Put up. “When he's on the road of scrimmage, he’s like most backs. When he will get in area, that’s when he tries to punish DBs, stiff arm and put his physique on guys which are loads smaller than him. Our job as defensive linemen is to not let him get to the second stage.”
Simpler stated than executed as a result of Henry isn’t plodding via the road. He’s additionally a house run hitter with a NFL-best 9 landing runs of no less than 50 yards since 2018.
“Among the best backs of all time,” Williams stated. “He's at all times the man groups will circle and attempt to put together for, and he nonetheless occurs to have 100-plus dashing video games on a regular basis.”
In 4 profession regular-season or playoff video games towards Martindale’s defenses — when he was with the Ravens, earlier than coming to the Giants — Henry has carried 83 instances for 389 yards and a landing, together with a 195-yard efficiency to oust the AFC’s No. 1 seed within the 2019 playoffs. Such is the danger of a blitz-happy scheme.
“It might positively harm a staff that blitzes loads if he will get previous that first stage of protection as a result of there's no one behind to get him down,” Williams stated.
Two of the Giants’ 10 highest-paid gamers are defensive tackles (Williams and Dexter Lawrence). The third cog in a protection constructed up the center by former common supervisor Dave Gettleman to cease the run is gone after the shock launch of 100-tackle machine Blake Martinez, who was penciled in as a beginning inside linebacker till final week. Beginning edge linebackers Kayvon Thibodeaux and Azeez Ojulari each are unlikely to play.
Unhealthy timing with Henry on deck.
“Coach-to-player and player-to-player, a D-lineman respects one other D-lineman that may cease the run,” Williams stated. “It may not be that method for followers as a result of they wish to see the gorgeous sacks, however we all know that it takes loads to cease the run.”
So, is there any technique to gradual Henry down?
“Yeah, if he’s not on the recreation,” head coach Brian Daboll quipped. “We’re going to must have all fingers on deck and do one of the best job we are able to of working to the soccer and gang tackling. You even see him on performs he may need three or 4 guys on him, and in some way he squirts via.”
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