Why Darrell Henderson is the Rams best RB and it’s not close

[Merlin]

He has not looked like his old self all year. I'm not sure he ever will after that terrible injury.

But what boggles my mind is he looked very explosive when he came back last year.
Now he just looks a lot slower. Don't understand it.

I know he has had no blocking, but just watching him run, he looks slow to me.
Do you see it or am I seeing things?

I see the same. But then again if you remove the negative plays caused by rushers in his face what does his day look like. Do you remember the Bettis era? The OL eroded his confidence and he was a different back, well, that plus poor coaching that unnecessarily blamed him.

Obviously Cam is not in Bettis' class. But RBs are like QBs in that linemen in the backfield can kill their confidence and Cam's at a point where they are trying to rebuild his confidence.

Henderson has value for us as the change of pace and I like how McVay used him in that game. The problem was the ground game did not get going, and that's what has to change to help McVay climb out of this shit. Because when he runs the ball his OL starts to fire off and we see better protections all around.

You can go all pass in this league if you have elite protections. But we're not there. So he has to run the ball and Henderson in that equation I see as a distraction, because he wilts or gets hurt with too many carries into the pile. Some day they're going to find a gene that corresponds to being able to be the bell cow on the ground for an offense. I'm kidding of course but many RBs do lack that ability to eat carries and get stronger as the game goes on. These are rare traits that the Rams need to seek in the draft instead of passcatchy RBs that are evaluated almost solely on agility. That is not working so change it up.

 

[Mojo Ram]

Doesn’t really matter which RB you want to die on a hill for…this run game looks a lot like the 2016 Gurley show, and we know that TG was just fine. We also know that our current backs aren’t terrible.

3 ypc is a scheme problem that involves much more than just who’s getting the carries. Coaching philosophy, playcalling, OL talent, injuries etc.

When McVay calls a run and it gets stuffed he panics in terms of the entire run game. When he calls a WR screen and it gets stuffed he’ll call it three more times until it’s successful.

All of the RB’s in the NFL are basically a plug n play into a successful system(generally). There are exceptions where some RB’s are just freaks of nature but Akers and Hendo don’t qualify.

The run game system here is broken.

 

[rdlkgliders]

I already said earlier that neither is good enough, but right now I’d be giving Henderson more touches.

Certainly more than the 0 carries he got Sunday.

 

[dieterbrock]

In all likelihood, Akers will be a Ram in 2023, Henderson wont. Akers was a miracle to hit the field last year in such a short time, but it doesnt erase that his injury will still hold him back, even if just mentally

 

[majrleaged]

After that Dallas game is anyone still claiming that Akers is the better back? There’s some good ‘film’ saying otherwise.

On that pass out in the flat with blockers out in front and a lane on each side of a blocker and s defender, he couldnt make up his mind so he ran into his blocker and a huge gain became les than 10.

On the other hand akers had a hole so big you could drive a small car thru it. He was so focused on where he already had decided to run, he missed it.

Arguing about who should start is a waste of time. Debsting who we should aquire is what we should be talking about.

 

[OldSchool]

On that pass out in the flat with blockers out in front and a lane on each side of a blocker and s defender, he couldnt make up his mind so he ran into his blocker and a huge gain became les than 10.

On the other hand akers had a hole so big you could drive a small car thru it. He was so focused on where he already had decided to run, he missed it.

Arguing about who should start is a waste of time. Debsting who we should aquire is what we should be talking about.

Nobody should be acquired, run with what we have and don't waste picks we need next year to build the OL back up along with acquiring a RB then to replace Hendo.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

He has been here through iterations of the team needing to bring in backs to settle things. Like it or not that is the truth.

Some believe in him still but I view that as the definition of insanity.

Right now he is contributing but still incapable of changing our offensive trend. That won't change. Rams will require someone to emerge in the run game.

And I agree Akers is disappointing. But he is the guy with the best chance to help us through this IMO. Barring Williams returning and becoming part of that equation. Maybe he matters for us down the road we will see.

Well Akers doesn’t look like the answer now either and right now he looks like the second best option.

I was hoping they draft an runningback the last two years. I don’t mean a third down back but a guy that could be a feature back.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

On that pass out in the flat with blockers out in front and a lane on each side of a blocker and s defender, he couldnt make up his mind so he ran into his blocker and a huge gain became les than 10.

On the other hand akers had a hole so big you could drive a small car thru it. He was so focused on where he already had decided to run, he missed it.

Arguing about who should start is a waste of time. Debsting who we should aquire is what we should be talking about.

Tevin Coleman was available.

 

[TexasRam]

I wonder if anyone remembers Todd Gurley running for 3.2 YPC in 2016.

Followed by 4.7 and 4.9 the following years.

RBs look worse then they are when the Oline sucks.

 

[majrleaged]

I wonder if anyone remembers Todd Gurley running for 3.2 YPC in 2016.

Followed by 4.7 and 4.9 the following years.

RBs look worse then they are when the Oline sucks.

That is true. they aren't helping the line either. There have been opportunities and they miss them.

 

[majrleaged]

Nobody should be acquired, run with what we have and don't waste picks we need next year to build the OL back up along with acquiring a RB then to replace Hendo.

Ok. We can add that to the debate.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

Nobody should be acquired, run with what we have and don't waste picks we need next year to build the OL back up along with acquiring a RB then to replace Hendo.

As much as I want them to succeed this year, I agree with this, to a degree. They have holes to fill.

 

[PhillyRam]

I am ready to see Funk...not that I think he is great, but he doesn't dance and he seems to have good vision.

Right now Akers is doing neither and let's see what it looks like when a back can do that.

And yes, it's still more on the OL in terms of the running game issues, but sometimes the back has to not only consistently hit a hole when one is there, but also make the most of what's there and not take 4 yard losses by dancing around. Take the 2 yrds if that is all that is there.

 

[Memento]

I'd love to get that Texas running back, Bijan Robinson. I know it's probably not feasible, but I just want that one guy you know you can go to. Akers and Henderson aren't doing it for me. Yes, it's mostly our broken O-line, but Akers hasn't been the same since his Achilles, and Henderson's constantly injured. Kyren Williams, I'd love to see more of, if he's healthy, but I just want to have the threat of a running game.

Of course, drafting more offensive linemen and pass-rushers (in addition to Alaric Jackson at guard and hopefully Bruss coming back with a vengeance) should be the priority, but damn if I want that one back to take over games - something we haven't had since Todd Gurley.

 

[rdlkgliders]

I'd love to get that Texas running back, Bijan Robinson. I know it's probably not feasible, but I just want that one guy you know you can go to. Akers and Henderson aren't doing it for me. Yes, it's mostly our broken O-line, but Akers hasn't been the same since his Achilles, and Henderson's constantly injured. Kyren Williams, I'd love to see more of, if he's healthy, but I just want to have the threat of a running game.

Of course, drafting more offensive linemen and pass-rushers (in addition to Alaric Jackson at guard and hopefully Bruss coming back with a vengeance) should be the priority, but damn if I want that one back to take over games - something we haven't had since Todd Gurley.

While we are at it let's get Quinn Ewers too, I would like to see him develop behind Stafford. I know pipe dream

 

[JKBOGEN]

All I saw on Sunday was wow Darrell Henderson should get 20 touches a game. I don't know how anyone can argue for Cam Akers right now. The whole "they both suck" is nonsensical. Hendo is averaging 4.1 YPC behind the same porous OL as Akers averages 2.9.

 

[Malibu]

Jake you created a great discussion with tons of great points from a ton of posters one of the better threads that doesn't meander.

My take is not sure what is wrong with Akers but I saw obvious cut back lanes not been exploited in the Dallas game. That being said imo no RB is worth much with a horrific OLine and that is what we currently have.

But as to your take my feeling unfortunately you are not right or wrong. I know that sounds weird but truthfully maybe he may be currently the better back he no matter how you try to spin it - he is not the right back. Both backs are mediocre I've come to conclude whether it's execution or injury neither are showing consistent growth but are just sputtering imo.

We need an 1A back unfortunately I would not trade for one because these two are good enough and Snead/McVay have way bigger issues OL/OLB to be concerned with.

I always say fix the OL and magically the RBs look better.

 

[Steve808]

Seriously, our O line is in trouble. A prime Barry Sanders might struggle to get 4 yards per carry with our current blocking.

The Rams have scored 70 points in 5 games. That's the kind of output we had from Jeff Fisher. The difference is that I'm confident that McVay will get it fixed.

 

[AZRams]

View: https://twitter.com/PointsBetUSA/status/1579218168098263040?s=20&t=9yaUT5wRYO9-Qf6oD9I14w

 

[fearsomefour]

View: https://twitter.com/PointsBetUSA/status/1579218168098263040?s=20&t=9yaUT5wRYO9-Qf6oD9I14w

That is hideous ugliness.....vomit inducing ugliness.
It has nothing to do with his achilles....his vision is God freaking awful right now.