Thoughts on Derrick Henry?

Soft. He can run if no one is around.

I'm glad everyone agrees here. He's a potential beast, but he's never going to be an nfl caliber back unless he figures out how to run between the tackles and take a hit.

..if healthy, will have more than 1500 yards rushing this coming season. He has things he can improve on, but I don't get our fans when it comes to Henry. Saban has nothing but good things to say about him, calling him one of the hardest workers on the team. I'm exited to see what he can do as the lead back.

I think he's pretty neat.

i believe that he will benefit greatly from the improved offensive line. Henry does exceptional once he gets to the second level of the defense. He has the speed and vision to run away from those guys and the size and strength to break tackles. If you watch his highlights he's really dirty on that second and third level. We all agree that he sometimes struggles if he gets held up at the LOS and doesnt get a head of steam. But i truly believe this OL will be better at getting a push on the LOS.

overall i think he's an all around solid RB. Good pass blocking, good pass catcher, breakaway speed, great size, good vision, protects the ball.

the biggest complaint people have is that he doesnt run as strong as he looks between the tackles. but i dont see none of you sumbitches lining up to tackle him. if DH stays healthy i think he'll have a really big year. heisman is certainly not out of the question.

You gotta get him to the LOS clean, no contact. If they get to him early, especially low, he's going nowhere. If he gets to the second level, he's a runaway freight train with rocket boosters. His stat sheet will look like this: 3, 4, 2, 6, 5, 37, 2, 5, 14, -1, 0, 76....

Henry runs better than most of you give him credit for. You seem to be focusing on a few negative plays and the Ohio St game where they get him low and before he is able to pick up any speed. Sometimes known as "being hit in the backfield".

As I recall, we were running him the opposite side of Bosa was the reason for not running up the middle more in that game. Seemed like more of an O-Line issue than a RB issue to me. Still, it's a mystery why we abandoned it.

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Here's a quick highlight video I found from last year. Plenty of good runs in there, you can see him hitting holes and making good cuts.

I can remember similar thoughts about Lacy after losing Richardson, with his spin move and all that. When put in the feature back role he shined. I think Henry will do the same - provided we can give him a quality line as we did for Lacy.

Keeping my fingers crossed for an improved O-Line this year.

Highlights from the Sugar Bowl vs Oklahoma.

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He has great speed for his size no doubt

Fairly good with his size and speed doesnt cut it...he should be dominate and goofd for 3 or 4 yds every time he touches the ball...multiple times he went down in the backfield last year from an arm tackle. Dont get me wrong i like henry as our starting back and i think having drake back only helps him