Rams love potential of Darrell Henderson, versatile RB group

[CGI_Ram]

https://theramswire.usatoday.com/2019/06/29/nfl-rams-running-backs-darrell-henderson/

Rams love potential of Darrell Henderson, versatile RB group

Most of the talk surrounding the Los Angeles Rams’ backfield has centered around Todd Gurley and his knee. That’s not where all of the focus should go, however, because the Rams’ running back room is one of the best in the NFL.

After retaining Malcolm Brown in free agency and drafting Darrell Henderson in Round 3, the Rams have a deep backfield filled with talent and versatility. Questions still remain about Gurley’s knee and Henderson’s transition to the NFL, but it’s impossible not to get excited about the potential.

Pass game coordinator Shane Waldron knows the Rams have a good group of backs, but he also knows Henderson has a lot to learn about the team’s system.

“For Darrell, just like any other rookie, he’s got a lot to learn as far as building the foundation of the system in his own mind, not just in one particular area,” Waldron said at minicamp. “And he’s done a great job picking it up and he’ll do nothing but grow as training camp gets here too.”

Gurley and Henderson are going to get most of the attention from fans and analysts because they’re the most explosive and dynamic players, possibly on the entire roster. But Waldron is excited about Brown, John Kelly and Justin Davis, too, because of the different skill sets they all bring.

“I think just in general with our group of backs, we have a bunch of guys with a bunch of great traits – and some of them are different than others. You want to call it a change-of-pace back, but I mean, I see them all as great running backs and certain guys have skill sets are good at one thing or maybe a little better at another thing. But the great thing about our room, starting with Todd and Malcolm and the guys that have been here, with John and Justin, you’ve got a great group of guys that can do a little bit of everything. And then you add Darrell into the mix and just like anything else, it adds great competition into a room that’s got some great talent in there. And then Matt [Colburn] came in this year in the offseason, as well. So you’ve just got a great room and [running backs coach Skip Peete] has done a great job with those guys as far as developing them in all aspects of the game.”

If the Rams want to run the ball often this season, whether it’s with Gurley or not, they certainly have the talent to do so. It’s going to be fun to watch how the coaching staff deploys this unique group of backs during the regular season.

 

[So Ram]

How many times is Shane Waldron going to say great ?? It takes away from the meaning.

How many total yards has all the running backs had besides Gurley & Brown ?
CJ Anderson came in from the street & actually had a great few games. Helped The Rams seal a bye week & home field. Without him The Rams probably don’t make it to the Super-Bowl.

 

[Merlin]

Speakin of Colburn here's an article on him:

All Wake Forest RB Matt Colburn II wanted was a shot. He got it with the Los Angeles Rams.
By Conor O'Neill Winston-Salem Journal

The thrill of the NFL Draft comes with the agony of not being selected for hundreds of college football players.

But in the minutes after the draft — and in some cases, in the final minutes of the draft — agony can quickly turn into a renewed focus and motivation.

That was the case for several former Wake Forest players last weekend. Six players signed as undrafted free agents — receiver Alex Bachman and running back Matt Colburn II with the Rams, receiver Greg Dortch with the Jets, safety Cameron Glenn with the 49ers, offensive lineman Ryan Anderson with the Dolphins and defensive tackle Willie Yarbary with the Falcons. A seventh, defensive end Chris Calhoun, was invited to the Arizona Cardinals’ rookie mini-camp.

Offensive lineman Phil Haynes was the only Wake Forest player picked in the draft, but he’s hardly the lone former Deacon entering the NFL.

Here are the feelings of Colburn, one of four former Wake Forest players who shared what it was like to sign with a team after going undrafted last weekend:

While some players were concerned with the position outlook of teams, Colburn is evidence that not all of the former Deacons were focused on that. Hence, Colburn is headed to a team that features one of the league’s best running backs in Todd Gurley II and that drafted Memphis’ Darrell Henderson in the third round.

“I didn’t really pay it any mind who was there and who they picked up. At the end of the day, I’m the captain of my own ship, so what I put into it is what I get out of it,” Colburn said. “That’s kinda always how it’s been for me, how I look at things.

“And I’m confident in my ethic, my grind and my ability, and I trust full-heartedly in my Lord and I believe that if I just go crazy … and just try to get better every day, try to perfect my craft every day and do everything necessary and above everything necessary, I’ll thrive.”

Colburn was drawn to Los Angeles by how similar Coach Sean McVay’s offense is to Wake Forest’s, which allowed him to become the Deacons’ sixth-leading rusher in program history. Being a part of an organization fresh off a run to the Super Bowl is appealing to aspiring NFL players.

Colburn has never been to California — Texas is the furthest west he’s ever been, for a high school football game — and knows he’s bound for a culture shock after he graduates this month.

But he’s intent on embracing that aspect of the move, just as he’s embraced the fact that he wasn’t drafted. Colburn was as aware of his draft grade, which was to be a late-round pick or priority free agent, as he was aware of the career path of the Broncos’ Phillip Lindsay — who last season became the first undrafted offensive rookie to make the Pro Bowl.

“It’s just stuff like that that’s inspiring, and it’s something in my eyes that’s feasible,” Colburn said. “It really doesn’t matter where you go. The Broncos picked him up in free agency and he gave them first-round production, so that in itself showed me enough.”

 

[Selassie I]

No matter who is in the backfield as RB... defenses won't be able to get a play off. All of our RBs will be a SERIOUS threat on every play. It's gonna pay big dividends both in production and rest as the season progresses.

 

[CGI_Ram]

No matter who is in the backfield as RB... defenses won't be able to get a play off. All of our RBs will be a SERIOUS threat on every play. It's gonna pay big dividends both in production and rest as the season progresses.

If Henderson is as billed, yep... that’s a 1-2 punch to the nose.

 

[Selassie I]

If Henderson is as billed, yep... that’s a 1-2 punch to the nose.

I watched him throughout his college career... he's gonna be a real FORCE.

 

[Memento]

Don't sleep on Kelly. He's a solid backup who can catch out of the backfield. He was okay when it came to blocking, but I think he makes some noise in the preseason.

 

[CGI_Ram]

https://www.therams.com/news/how-can-darrell-henderson-help-improve-the-rams-offense

How can Darrell Henderson help improve the Rams offense?

Over the last two years, the running back position has been critical for Los Angeles’ offensive success — particularly the strength of 2017 AP Offensive Player of the Year Todd Gurley.

But to add another explosive player to that position, Los Angeles drafted Darrell Henderson out of Memphis at No. 70 overall during the spring. Henderson averaged 8.9 yards per carry over his last two collegiate seasons, and forced a total of 44 touchdowns in his three-year career.

Considering what he did at that level, Henderson certainly has a lot of talent. But as passing game coordinator Shane Waldron said during the offseason program, there’s also plenty for him to learn now that he’s reached the league.

“For Darrell, just like any other rookie, he’s got a lot to learn as far as building a foundation of the system in his own mind — not just in one particular area. And he’s done a great job picking it up and he’ll do nothing but grow as training camp gets here as well,” Waldron said.

Henderson has been described as a “change-of-pace” back, someone who can come in and perhaps do some things a little differently than Gurley or Malcolm Brown, Los Angeles’ primary backup. But that’s the case for most of that room, which also includes Justin Davis, John Kelly, and undrafted rookie Matt Colburn.

“I think just in general with our group of backs, we have a lot of guys that have a bunch of great traits and some of them a little different from others,” Waldron said. “If you want to call it a change-of-pace back — I mean, I see them all as great running backs. And certain guys have skill sets that are a little better at one thing than another thing.”

“But the great thing about our room with Todd and Malcolm, the guys that have been here, with John and Justin, you know you have a great group of guys that can do a little bit of everything. Then you add Darrell to the mix and just like anything else it adds great competition into a room that already has some great talent in there, and then Matt came in there this season in the offseason as well. So it’s a good room and coach [Skip] Pete has done a great job with those guys as well, just as far as developing them in all aspects of the game.”

Given all Henderson could bring to the offense, Los Angeles’ running backs should be fun to watch during training camp at UC Irvine.

 

[oldnotdead]

Colburn is going to have to make it on STs to make this team. He's short, but fast and shows good agility. Maybe he can take JoJo's spot as a return specialist.

With Henderson they have another take it to the house RB to compliment Gurley. Gurley gives them speed and power, able to run inside or outside. Brown is a power RB with limited agility and average speed. He's not going to out run anyone but he can run over them. Now with Henderson they have a smaller RB with good speed but with great acceleration. You look at his play and you see the classic 3rd down back who can use his acceleration on draws, and his hands as a receiver out of the back field. I don't see an every down RB at this point. You have to question his field vision. Is it a matter of not seeing or lack of patience. There is a case to be made it's more of lack of patience by the way he plays. It's something he will have to learn. But as a rookie he can play his share of snaps and perhaps be an impact player. He has the potential to be just that this year.

IMO he's not simply and outside runner. He has the acceleration and runs with surprising power to run between the tackles in an inside zone.