How Bout Some Love For Henderson

[CGI_Ram]

Rams running back Darrell Henderson Jr.: "I just went out there and played my game" against Eagles

www.therams.com

Darrell Henderson Jr.: "I just went out there and played my game"

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. – In a season that – early on, at least – Rams head coach Sean McVay feels comfortable rotating three running backs, there's no telling which one is in store for a big performance.

How does Darrell Henderson Jr. personally approach that uncertainty?

"Stay ready so you don't have to get ready," Henderson told reporters during a video conference Monday morning. "That's always been my mindset."

It proved effective on Sunday in Philadelphia.

After Malcolm Brown led Los Angeles' rushing attack with 18 carries for 79 yards and two scores and chipped in three receptions for 31 yards in Week 1, it was Henderson who buoyed the L.A.'s backfield in Week 2. Taking over for an injured Cam Akers, Henderson poured in 121 yards from scrimmage on 12 touches, plus one touchdown in the Rams' 37-19 win at the Philadelphia Eagles.

"I just went out there and played my game," Henderson said. "I did everything they asked me to do, and just stayed consistent and stayed patient."

Finding a rhythm took a few snaps, but once Henderson found it, the Rams' offense was tough to stop – especially in the second half.

A 33-yard field goal by Eagles kicker Jake Elliott cut the Rams' lead to five with 5:07 remaining in the fourth quarter. On the ensuing offensive series for the Rams, Henderson took the handoff and ran 40 yards to the Eagles 35-yard line. The big run helped set up a 28-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Jared Goff to tight end Tyler Higbee to give Los Angeles a more comfortable 31-19 lead.

Facing 3rd and 9 from the Philadelphia 30 with 3:52 remaining, Henderson hauled in a 28-yard pass from Goff for the conversion. Henderson finished off the drive with a 2-yard touchdown run to push the Rams ahead 37-19.

"I was really pleased with Darrell Henderson. I thought he was a real bright spot for us, making some plays in the run and the pass game," McVay said in his postgame video conference. "That was something that (running backs) coach (Thomas) Brown and I had talked about this week. We were not surprised to see that, but it was really good for him to do that."

Henderson says the big plays were a credit to the blocking by L.A.'s offensive line and the rest of his teammates.

"It started up front," Henderson said. "They gave me a great push."

Henderson had limited opportunities as a rookie in 2019 while playing behind Malcolm Brown and Todd Gurley for the majority of the season. The biggest chunk of his production last year came in the middle of the campaign, when a quad injury forcing Gurley to miss Week 6 and an ankle injury sidelining Brown in Weeks 7 and 8 temporarily elevated his role.

For Goff, Henderson seeing his most significant action since that time was a welcome sight.

"He did a great job," Goff said. "He's a player that we love, and love in a lot of different ways. Throw to ball to him, run the ball with him. There are certain runs we love with him. It was exciting to see him get his chance to shine a bit."

 

[OnceARam]

I appreciated that he didn't run into the back of the OL and fall down this game.

Hendo came through when we needed him (due to injury). What's clear is that McVay has found his "type". I'm still surprised we didn't go the FA route, but I'm not sure who would have been available or whether they would have been an upgrade over Brown. But Hendo has the "juice", that's for sure.

Right now our RB room is full of talent but short on production. I hope that changes as the season goes on and these guys get more settled in.

 

[den-the-coach]

It's about Time...Been waiting and he didn't fumble or get hurt, so that was a plus and Henderson ran hard plus the Touchdown was all him...Good job and what took you so long?

 

[bubbaramfan]

Now if only he can be relied upon to pick up blitz'. Until then M Brown will be in on passing situations.

 

[dieterbrock]

Henderson was great, I had been down on him but he sure showed something.
That said, has there been any update on Akers injury?

 

[Snaz]

Henderson and Akers early and Brown to Pound and kill the clock sounds great to me.

 

[Selassie I]

Hendo is a beast. I watched many of his college games and he was literally a one man wrecking crew.

Hopefully this game will build his confidence. Young players really need that confidence building performance sometimes. This kid is loaded with talent... time to let it shine.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

I loved Henderson's burst through the hole last year but I was really ready to give up on him with his injuries last year and in camp. Using their first pick on Akers kind of made me think that Snead and McVay were starting yo see him as filler. I hope he can stay healthy and prove me wrong. He has always ha the potential.


If Henderson gets injured again, and Brown ends up with his yearly injury, and now Akers with ribs, this team could be in dire straits at RB. Keep your fingers crossed.

 

[Merlin]

I loved Henderson's burst through the hole last year but I was really ready to give up on him with his injuries last year and in camp. Using their first pick on Akers kind of made me think that Snead and McVay were starting yo see him as filler. I hope he can stay healthy and prove me wrong. He has always ha the potential.

If Henderson gets injured again, and Brown ends up with his yearly injury, and now Akers with ribs, this team could be in dire straits at RB. Keep your fingers crossed.

Maybe. Hopefully we won't find out, but if that were to happen I'd be hoping that Jones might pay off the Rams' decision to keep 4 backs.

 

[TexasRam]

Hendo looks great now that we have our O-line on track.

I'm really glad we are going with the Committee approach. I mean seriously there are significant advantages:

1. Don't need to pay a superstar
2. Redundancy when injury hits
3. Change of pace to throw off the defense
4. Fresh Legs every snap
5. Competition equals better effort each snap

 

[CGI_Ram]

Hendo looks great now that we have our O-line on track.

I'm really glad we are going with the Committee approach. I mean seriously there are significant advantages:

1. Don't need to pay a superstar
2. Redundancy when injury hits
3. Change of pace to throw off the defense
4. Fresh Legs every snap
5. Competition equals better effort each snap

We can add a 6th... whatever piece you need, you can find these players throughout the draft.

 

[Ramhusker]

I‘ll admit I was about ready to write Henderson off. I was starting to think he was a bust of a pick. Either he was hurt or had some other reason he never got carries. I’m pleasantly surprised at his performance and what good timing. If he hadn’t showed up, id be wringing my hands over the injuries to Brown and Akers. Still a little nervous about our backfield’s health status.

 

[Faceplant]

Hendo is a beast. I watched many of his college games and he was literally a one man wrecking crew.

Hopefully this game will build his confidence. Young players really need that confidence building performance sometimes. This kid is loaded with talent... time to let it shine.

What he said ^^^. I think this will catapult the youngster. He knows he can be explosive at this level...time to put it on these fools. League on notice!

 

[fearsomefour]

I would love to get our RB’s especially Henderson the ball in space on some screens.

Or downfield a bit.
Screens, wheel routes etc seem to be the standard.
Would like to see some crossing routes too. Get them in space.

 

[badnews]

I'm not trying to compare him in anyway to Faulk, my all-time favorite RB, Ram or otherwise, but look at Hendersons body shape? He doesn't look like the fastest cat on the field just looking at him. He's kind of thick, round, but those legs are just so fast.

Please don't pretend I'm saying hes the next anything, I'm only saying that without those long dreads, something in Hendos surprising speed for his size/shape is reminiscent of seeing 28.

If the kid masters all of his responsibilities in the passing game and stays on the field, we are going to have another good Rams running back.

 

[kurtfaulk]

Hendo looks great now that we have our O-line on track.

I'm really glad we are going with the Committee approach. I mean seriously there are significant advantages:

1. Don't need to pay a superstar
2. Redundancy when injury hits
3. Change of pace to throw off the defense
4. Fresh Legs every snap
5. Competition equals better effort each snap

i'd still rather have gurley in his prime.

.

 

[JonRam99]

i'd still rather have gurley in his prime.

.

Me too. All day every day. But it was time to move on. Sad face.
I posted earlier this summer that I was optimistic about Hendo, watching his 2019 49er game, he made some really decent runs / catches. He has an explosiveness / suddenness that you just can't teach. I really think he's gonna be our lightning to Brown's thunder. Akers is our rookie, our future...
Is it such a bad problem to have an RB stable that we can rely on in case someone (cough cough Gurley cough cough) gets hurt down the stretch & we need someone who's already on the team to pick up the slack & get us through the playoffs? I appreciated what that one-trick human bowling ball CJ did for us, but I honestly think that, if even Brown were healthy, we'd have done better against the Patsies.

 

[Soul Surfer]

I am so glad that teams are not putting premium draft stock into running backs like they used to.

It actually looks like we have three starter quality backs.

 

[Soul Surfer]

i'd still rather have gurley in his prime.

.

When he played for Georgia?

He looked a little faster in college than he did with us.

The dude could outrun every cornerback he faced in college.

 

[Merlin]

Hendo looks great now that we have our O-line on track.

I'm really glad we are going with the Committee approach. I mean seriously there are significant advantages:

1. Don't need to pay a superstar
2. Redundancy when injury hits
3. Change of pace to throw off the defense
4. Fresh Legs every snap
5. Competition equals better effort each snap

Yeah I would not pay a RB in today's league. That ship has officially sailed for me. Just draft a young fit every couple years and keep the stable stocked with options.

That competition is a big deal. I do think the Rams want to get Akers rolling (he's got a nice set of abilities for a playoff environment IMO), but they're certainly open to one of these guys seizing the lead role and that's the best way to play a RBBC type approach.

Real happy with our offensive backfield though.