Looking ahead to the upcoming season, the Baltimore Ravens aim to rebound following a somewhat disappointing conclusion in the conference title game, bolstered by the addition of star running back Derrick Henry. With Henry joining an already potent offense, the prospect of facing the Ravens becomes even more daunting for opposing defenses. However, Ravens Offensive Coordinator Todd Monken recently addressed the media regarding their plans for incorporating the 30-year-old running back into their strategy.
According to the team’s website, Monken stated on Thursday, “I’m certain of one thing: If [Henry] rushes the ball 300 times, it signifies a remarkable season for us. It indicates a heavy reliance on the running game, likely stemming from leading in games. Our objective is for him to conclude matches and serve as the primary finisher.”
The equation appears straightforward with Henry and Monken’s target of 300 carries, as historically, each time the running back achieved that mark in a season, it typically led to an outstanding year. Henry has accomplished this feat in three seasons, with the most recent being in 2022 when he recorded 349 carries, resulting in 1,538 yards and 13 touchdowns.
During what could be considered his standout season with the Tennessee Titans in 2020, Henry carried the ball a staggering 378 times, amassing 2,027 rushing yards and scoring 17 touchdowns. When Henry finds his rhythm, he undeniably ranks among the premier players in his position. However, given his age, there may be apprehension regarding his workload, as expressed by Monken.
“Primarily, our priority is ensuring his endurance throughout the season, much like every player. With the extended 17-game season, it’s crucial for players to stay healthy. Henry has displayed remarkable durability thus far,” Monken stated.
Despite Henry’s prominent role as the team’s top running back, he shares the backfield with other productive players like Justice Hill and promising rookie Keaton Mitchell, who is recovering from an ACL tear. While the possibility of Henry reaching 300 carries exists, Monken emphasized the continued rotation strategy for the upcoming season.
“I believe we managed our backfield rotation effectively last year. We divided the workload, with Gus being a force, but we distributed the reps evenly. Despite the emergence of Keaton and Justice, I envision a similar approach this season – utilizing all our backs and putting them in optimal positions for success,” Monken explained.
The Ravens have a reputation for distributing workload among running backs, evident even in the previous season where carries were shared among Hill, Mitchell, and notably Gus Edwards, who has since moved to the Los Angeles Chargers. However, Baltimore’s head coach John Harbaugh anticipates significant production from Henry, expressing expectations for him to generate “a lot of yards,” as reported by On3.com.
Harbaugh elaborated, stating, “I envision it resembling what we saw in Tennessee: Henry accumulating substantial yardage. Perhaps, by spreading the defense out slightly more, we can create additional opportunities for him. With fewer defenders focused solely on him, there may be more room for him to operate.”
Last season with the Titans, his eighth with the franchise, Henry rushed for 1,167 yards and 12 touchdowns, maintaining an average of 4.2 yards per carry. Among the players most eager to team up with Henry is star quarterback Lamar Jackson, who anticipates the added threat Henry brings to their offense.
“I simply hand him the ball and cheer him on like the fans,” Jackson remarked, as reported by NBC Sports. “I’ve never had to face Derrick [Henry], so that’s a plus for me. Having him in our backfield is fantastic. With a strong offensive line to block for him and our understanding of his skillset and our team’s capabilities, I believe we’re moving in the right direction.”
The Ravens’ acquisition of Henry underscores their win-now mentality, especially after coming close to clinching the top spot in the league last season with the No. 1 seed in the AFC. Despite their formidable performance, they were thwarted by Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs in the conference championship game. Henry emphasized during his introductory press conference that joining Baltimore seemed like a logical decision.
“It felt like the right move for me. I admire their style of play, their team culture, and their physical approach to the game,” Henry remarked. “Having competed against them for the past few years, I’m eager to join the organization, meet my new teammates, and contribute in any way I can. I’m excited to immerse myself in their system and strive to be the best teammate possible.”
Explaining further, Henry cited his desire to win a championship at this stage of his career, making the Ravens an obvious choice for him. He described the decision as a “no-brainer,” emphasizing the team’s strong foundation.
“For me, it was an obvious choice. This is where I wanted to be,” Henry affirmed. “I appreciate the physicality and style of play across all three phases of the game. It aligns well with my own style of play. It was truly a straightforward decision. I’m just glad we were able to finalize the details on the business side of things
