While the dust hasn’t fully settled when it comes to the 2024 free agency, many Baltimore Ravens fans are happy with their haul. Derrick Henry was at the top of their free-agent shopping list, and they’ll be happy to see a proven runner frustrate opponents alongside Lamar Jackson.
Now that he’s finally playing for a team that has a legitimate shot at a Super Bowl title, King Henry gave out a message to anyone who is still doubting whether he can still produce at a high level.
Derrick Henry vows to prove doubters wrong with the Baltimore Ravens
The Spun’s Kameron Duncan wrote about Derrick Henry’s thoughts on people doubting him now that he’s approaching the most critical age for running backs like him.
It’s safe to say that his words for his haters are anything but friendly:
Some have cast doubt on Henry’s effectiveness at this point in his career, pointing to the fact that he’s led the NFL in carries in four of the last five seasons.
A reporter asked Henry what his response would be to the doubters, and he gave a simple warning.
“Tell them to keep watching,” said the former Offensive Player of the Year.
Those are fierce fighting words from the man who was the face of the Tennessee Titans for eight years. However, his critics aren’t wrong when it comes to the amount of pressure that will be expected out him.
Can King Henry still produce at a high level for the Ravens?
It’s a well-known fact among NFL fans that running backs usually see a drop on their performances by the time they reach 30.
The position is one of the roughest in the league, and they have to endure hard hits from linebackers and defensive tackles while speeding at 20 miles an hour.
But if anyone can buck that trend, it’s King Henry. He doesn’t just rely on his explosive legs to carry him past the league’s best defenders. His outstanding stiff arm has become a signature of his, and there are highlights of him taking down defenders all over the web.
Moreover, his 2023 numbers are nothing to scoff at. Through 17 games, he ran for 1167 rushing yards and 12 TDs on 4.2 yards a carry.
Since Lamar Jackson is an elite runner in his own right, some of the pressure he had to endure while he was carrying the Tennessee offense will be off him a bit. He will likely see more open running lanes than usual now that he is paired up with an elite QB who can run it down as well as he could pass it under center.
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