Darrell Henderson's college coach raves about RB's fit with Rams

[BonifayRam]

https://theramswire.usatoday.com/2019/05/14/nfl-rams-darrell-henderson-college-coach-fit/

Darrell Henderson's college coach raves about RB's fit with Rams
Cameron DaSilva

Ever since Sean McVay was hired by the Los Angeles Rams in 2017, they’ve been looking for a change-of-pace back to complement Todd Gurley. Les Snead said as much after the draft, explaining why the Rams selected Darrell Henderson at No. 70 overall. At first glance, the thought of drafting a running back in the third round seemed like a crazy idea with Gurley in the mix. But after watching Henderson play and examining how he fits with the Rams, it’s easy to get excited about him joining the backfield.

He thrived in Memphis’ outside zone scheme, averaging 8.9 yards per carry in each of the last two years. The Rams run outside zone more than any team in the NFL, which makes this a great match.

Henderson’s college coach, Mike Norvell, doesn’t think the running back could’ve landed with a better team.

“I don’t know if there’s a better fit in the NFL for him than the Rams,” Norvell told Ryan Kartje of the OC Register.

Henderson was a dynamic player for the Tigers, scoring from just about everywhere on the field. There may not have been a more explosive running back in the draft than him, which makes his fit with the Rams a fun one.

Henderson was part of a committee in college, sharing the backfield with Tony Pollard, who was drafted by the Cowboys. Henderson was the workhorse with 214 carries in 2018, but Pollard chipped in 78 attempts for 552 yards and six touchdowns.

In the NFL, Henderson will once again be in a shared backfield, this time as the backup. That’s not a bad thing, Norvell says, because it gives the Rams a pair of playmakers in the backfield.

“To have multiple explosive backs that are able to stay fresh and able to put together a complete season, that’s important,” Norvell said. “When you look at the situation there, having Gurley, a guy who’s experienced, who’s one of the best, that can help both of their careers. They can be a dynamic duo.”

Norvell said he thinks Henderson “can do it all,” which the Rams plan to take full advantage of. McVay will use him as a receiver, a running back and potentially as a return specialist, getting the ball in his hands often. There may not be a better backfield in the league than the one in L.A.

 

[JonRam99]

I'm not sure he will used in formations requiring him to pass block. From what I get from McVay, they are going to create new personnel groupings, formations, etc, that will allow him to run and catch the ball without being used in the same manner that Gurley and/or Brown would be used, ie pass blacking on Pass plays from the usual HB position.

yah, I think we just learned that we have certain "tells" when we use certain personnel groups. Gotta fix that. I think Henderson could be used in a variety of ways, with or without TE's on the field.

 

[ScotsRam]

He better learn how to pass block because otherwise the D is gonna know what's happening every time he's in the game. Can't be predictable in this league.

 

[Akrasian]

He better learn how to pass block because otherwise the D is gonna know what's happening every time he's in the game. Can't be predictable in this league.

True. Or he could go out for a screen pass when he's in, even if the primary target is one of the receivers. Maybe he can learn to at least get in the way of a rusher.

 

[dang]

A backup RB Is RB2 to the RB1 starter. Malcom Brown is RB2 to Gurley at RB1. Backup will come in when RB1 is hurt or needs a rest.

A change of pace RB is RB1B to the RB1A. Henderson will be the RB1B to Gurley at RB1A. RB1A will come in when the offense needs a different scheme or weapon.

This is a notable distinction in what the Rams plan to do at RB.

 

[BonifayRam]

https://theramswire.usatoday.com/2019/05/16/nfl-rams-todd-gurley-darrell-henderson-advice/

Darrell Henderson shares advice Todd Gurley gave him about entering NFL
By: Cameron DaSilva

In the third round of the 2019 draft, the Rams added a dynamic playmaker to the backfield by selecting Darrell Henderson 70th overall. It was a pick met with some confusion given the fact that the Rams have Todd Gurley under contract through 2023, but Henderson is a threat to score from anywhere on the field.

Gurley welcomed Henderson with a positive reaction on Twitter after the pick was made, and he’s even gone further than that. He reached out to Henderson following the draft and has stayed in touch ever since.

At his introductory press conference on Tuesday, Henderson shared the piece of advice Gurley gave him as he enters the NFL.

“I’ve been talking to him a little bit. He just told me don’t be afraid to mess up because the more you mess up, you can learn from it,” Henderson said.

Henderson didn’t make many mistakes at Memphis, averaging 8.9 yards per carry in 2019 and an NCAA record 8.2 in his career. That’s not to say he’s a perfect prospect, but he was very good at Memphis. The NFL is a different animal with bigger, faster and stronger defenders looking to tackle him.

Henderson said he’s taking things day by day and working to get better without getting too far ahead of himself. He was asked if Sean McVay has told him and the rookies anything about transitioning to the NFL, to which he said this.

“He just told us this is about we and not me. So that kind of stood out to me and I realized what it meant,” Henderson said.

One thing he’s noticed already is how close-knit the locker room is. that’s an important part of the “We not me” mentality with players putting the team first.

“You can tell this team is very close and everybody has been reacting and talking to you and you can tell it’s a brotherhood and this locker room is one as a whole,” he said.

 

[CGI_Ram]

https://www.therams.com/news/darrell-henderson-rookie-profile

While he put up stats in college, Darrell Henderson put it behind him for a fresh start in L.A.

Rookie running back Darrell Henderson has experienced plenty of success through different levels of football.

“Well, I played Pee Wee ball and little league, and broke records in little league,” Henderson said in an interview with therams.com this week. “Then I got to high school — I broke records in high school. Then I went to Memphis and I got records there. And it’s just been a humbling experience, and it just goes to show that hard work pays off.”

Rushing for 32 touchdowns and 2,253 yards as a senior at South Panola High School in Batesville, Miss., Henderson earned the 2014 Mississippi Gatorade Football Player of the Year award. He totaled 5,801 yards rushing and 68 rushing touchdowns in high school.

Remarkably, he recorded nearly the same kind of production at the college level at Memphis, rushing for 3,545 yards and 36 total touchdowns in three seasons. He put up 1,154 yards on 130 carries in 2017 as a sophomore — averaging a stunning 8.9 yards per carry. And then he followed it with another season averaging 8.9 yards per carry, though this time he posted the numbers taking 214 carries for 1,909 yards.

Impressive as that production is, it doesn’t seem to mean much to Henderson now that he’s reached the NFL level.

“I mean, it’s good. It’s a special opportunity, and it’s a great opportunity,” Henderson said. “But at the end of the day, I’ve flushed everything and try to stay focused because it’s easy to get big-headed and start messing up, and lose all the opportunities that you could have.”

Henderson says that attitude comes from his father, who instilled a strong work ethic in his son from a young age.

“He worked non-stop. He worked day and night,” Henderson said. “And I took that with football.”

It’s fair to expect that attitude combined with his track record of success should translate to success at the highest level. But Henderson is staying humble as he begins his time in the NFL.

“It’s been pretty good,” Henderson said of his first few days in the building. “It’s just me getting my foot in the door and trying to learn the plays and get better each and every day.”

Henderson has appreciated the way the coaches and veteran players have embraced him to aid in that process — particularly fellow running back Todd Gurley.

The 2017 AP Offensive Player of the Year reached out to Henderson on draft night to welcome him to the club, and dispensed advice in the facility during the rookie’s first full day with the club.

“It was a pretty good moment. He just told me to be ready to work,” Henderson said of the draft-night message. “And I talked to him yesterday, he was like, ‘Don’t be afraid to mess up, because the more you mess up, the more you learn from it.’

“It shows you that this organization takes pride in team bonding. And for him to do that — something that he didn’t have to do — was a great opportunity for me.”

So as the offseason program continues, Henderson is looking to keep his head down and prove he’s one of the players who can make an impact at the NFL level.

“I bring hard work,” Henderson said, “I’m a humble person, and I think I just fit in with this organization because I fit what they do.”

 

[ramfan46]

I'm very curious to see how his game translates at the pro level. He looks a bit stiff to me, but he seems to have great power for his size. He reminds me of ED's running style. Upright, but flying. I also want to see how good his hands are. How much can he handle as a Receiver?

 

[1maGoh]

“I bring hard work,” Henderson said, “I’m a humble person, and I think I just fit in with this organization because I fit what they do.”

I'm super humble. Way more humble than you. I'm probably the most humble guy in every room I've ever been in. ~Henderson

 

[wolfdogg]

Love hearing the locker room stuff. This is the kind of team that can not only handle big personalities but can also inspire and refocus any diva personalities that may come along.

When you're sharing the field and locker room with veteran elite players and leaders like whit Todd Clay Jared Weddle talib Cooks and Donald, in addition to the high quality of talent with potential to be elite such as havenstein Johnson peters Fowler and Kupp, players can't help but improve their game and probably their personal growth as a human being.

And it all starts with mcvays personality and vision and how he teaches and connects with the players and coaches who he sees as a good fit for the team. I really do think he will go down as one of the best coaches in league history and definately the best coach the rams have ever had.

 

[Dodgersrf]

https://www.therams.com/news/darrell-henderson-rookie-profile

While he put up stats in college, Darrell Henderson put it behind him for a fresh start in L.A.

Rookie running back Darrell Henderson has experienced plenty of success through different levels of football.

“Well, I played Pee Wee ball and little league, and broke records in little league,” Henderson said in an interview with therams.com this week. “Then I got to high school — I broke records in high school. Then I went to Memphis and I got records there. And it’s just been a humbling experience, and it just goes to show that hard work pays off.”

Rushing for 32 touchdowns and 2,253 yards as a senior at South Panola High School in Batesville, Miss., Henderson earned the 2014 Mississippi Gatorade Football Player of the Year award. He totaled 5,801 yards rushing and 68 rushing touchdowns in high school.

Remarkably, he recorded nearly the same kind of production at the college level at Memphis, rushing for 3,545 yards and 36 total touchdowns in three seasons. He put up 1,154 yards on 130 carries in 2017 as a sophomore — averaging a stunning 8.9 yards per carry. And then he followed it with another season averaging 8.9 yards per carry, though this time he posted the numbers taking 214 carries for 1,909 yards.

Impressive as that production is, it doesn’t seem to mean much to Henderson now that he’s reached the NFL level.

“I mean, it’s good. It’s a special opportunity, and it’s a great opportunity,” Henderson said. “But at the end of the day, I’ve flushed everything and try to stay focused because it’s easy to get big-headed and start messing up, and lose all the opportunities that you could have.”

Henderson says that attitude comes from his father, who instilled a strong work ethic in his son from a young age.

“He worked non-stop. He worked day and night,” Henderson said. “And I took that with football.”

It’s fair to expect that attitude combined with his track record of success should translate to success at the highest level. But Henderson is staying humble as he begins his time in the NFL.

“It’s been pretty good,” Henderson said of his first few days in the building. “It’s just me getting my foot in the door and trying to learn the plays and get better each and every day.”

Henderson has appreciated the way the coaches and veteran players have embraced him to aid in that process — particularly fellow running back Todd Gurley.

The 2017 AP Offensive Player of the Year reached out to Henderson on draft night to welcome him to the club, and dispensed advice in the facility during the rookie’s first full day with the club.

“It was a pretty good moment. He just told me to be ready to work,” Henderson said of the draft-night message. “And I talked to him yesterday, he was like, ‘Don’t be afraid to mess up, because the more you mess up, the more you learn from it.’

“It shows you that this organization takes pride in team bonding. And for him to do that — something that he didn’t have to do — was a great opportunity for me.”

So as the offseason program continues, Henderson is looking to keep his head down and prove he’s one of the players who can make an impact at the NFL level.

“I bring hard work,” Henderson said, “I’m a humble person, and I think I just fit in with this organization because I fit what they do.”

I like the fact, that he doeant have a lot of college miles on him

 

[LesBaker]

Kick and punt returner. Home run potential.

He's going to be a RB first though.

This scares me ...wtf is going on with TG?

This is the 64K question, and we have clues.

Yes. Including RB he can contribute right away.

In fact AS a RB he will contribute right away. That'll be his main contribution!

 

[Rambitious1]

This scares me ...wtf is going on with TG?

Honestly, if Gurley has arthritis in the knee as is speculated, I think we may be seeing the beginning of the end of his career.

 

[CGI_Ram]

Honestly, if Gurley has arthritis in the knee as is speculated, I think we may be seeing the beginning of the end of his career.

But that too, is speculation.



:icare:

 

[Rambitious1]

But that too, is speculation.



:icare:

Yes it is.

 

[Ram77]

Didn’t Isaiah Pead also run too upright from a not so big name college? Snead missed on Pead I hope he didn’t miss on Henderson. Hard to tell how a player will translate in the pros especially not playing in a major program in college.