Few people have a better pulse in the NFL or a stronger attitude toward the state of the league than ESPN’s Ryan Clark.
Clark played 13 seasons in safety in the NFL and has stayed in league circles since retiring as an analyst for ESPN, appearing on shows such as NFL Live, First Take and SportsCenter. But Clark’s new appearance against the Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry didn’t come from a television appearance.
While stopping by on 104.5 The Zone on Friday morning at Ramon, Kayla and Will, Clark explained to Will Boling and Ramon Foster why he thinks the Titans are in a difficult position with Derrick Henry when it comes to running back and why himself removed the NFL from appreciating the type of player that Henry is.
Clark believed the Titans should get Henry back on the roster for 2023 but believes Henry’s return must come with an understanding that he cannot bring you a championship alone and that his style of play could soon be old-fashioned.
“Does its productivity create championships and lead to victories?”, said Clark. “If you’re looking from the outside at the San Francisco 49ers, who had a ridiculous record when they took over Christian McCaffery, don’t you want that guy? If you look at what Tony Pollard can do for a crime, don’t you want this guy?
“Don’t get me wrong, I think Derrick Henry has been so successful because he’s different in some ways, but how many times have the Tennessee Titans gone down in a game or how many times have you finished third and now you don’t need Derrick Henry ?”, Clark continued.
Clark continued that, much like McCaffrey and Pollard, the running backs continue to give teams the passing flexibility they desire. The league is a passing league, and running backs who are dynamic, bring value to the pass and also bring 1,200 rushing yards are the next generation of talent in the NFL. The tough downhill runners can stay behind.
It’s a hard pill to swallow, but ultimately he’s right.
Henry is still a generational talent. He’s one of the best running backs the world has ever seen. There has never been another player like him and there probably never will be again. But the current playstyle that the Titans’ offense is adopting is not a winning style. The most successful running games in today’s league have more than one running back committed. Your running backs expand the field with the outside zone, line up in the slot, and are prolific as both pass catchers and pass blockers.
Today Henry is still the best downhill power runner in the NFL, but unless he’s complemented by an exceptional pass blocker with lateral agility, Tennessee’s offense can be boxed fairly easily.
The Titans will have to reflect on some of the same questions Clark asked this offseason as GM Ran Carthon, who has seen success in San Francisco firsthand, tries to navigate a challenging offseason full of decisions.
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