Tennessee Titans running backs coach and University of Alabama alumnus Sylvester Croom knows the value of ex-Crimson Tide standout Derrick Henry in the National Football League. As the second-round pick returned to voluntary offseason workouts this week, Croom spoke with Titans senior writer/editor Jim Wyatt on the development of the 6-foot-2, 247-pound impact star in the backfield.
“He looks great, is moving well and seems to be in very good shape for this time of year,” Croom said on Henry. “It’s obvious he’s been doing a whole lot of work in the time he’s been away.”
Despite the onslaught of questions in regards to why Henry missed day one of workouts because of taking classes at Alabama toward his degree, Croom said there is “no problem with Derrick.”
“The guy was in school, he is here now, and he is working. So we are moving forward.”
Coming off his Heisman-winning year in 2015, Henry put in solid numbers as a rookie. The bruising back totaled 490 yards rushing, 137 yards receiving and five touchdowns on 123 touches. Regardless of not turning a 100-yard rushing performance through 15 regular season games, he did record two rushing touchdowns in Tennessee’s 19-17 victory over Kansas City.
“Derrick did what I expected him to do, and more,” Croom said to Wyatt.
“I was really surprised and impressed with his ability to catch the football, and run routes. He was very good on protections, and I think from his rookie minicamp to his entire season I don’t think Derrick dropped two balls, in practices or in games, and that is phenomenal for a guy who didn’t catch the football a while lot in college.”
It seems as though Henry is building a firm relationship with Croom, seeing that all he wants the former All-American (2015) and Southeastern Conference Offensive Player of the Year (2015) to do is “be patient.”
“A lot of times young backs don’t realize… in an offense like ours, we expect to run the ball 30-, 40-plus times a game. And it is extremely difficult for one guy to handle all of that for 16 games. We need two guys for the style of running game we do.”
Stephen M. Smith is a managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @Smsmith_TDALMag.
