Rams Fans United - Los Angeles Rams Fan Discussion Forum

I didn't want the Rams (or the Raiders) to take Henderson, he doesn't get his pads low, therefore he should be easy to knock down. His College highlights were against players that will never play at the NFL level, I just couldn't see him being successful at the NFL level.

But hey, every Rams fan gets do doubt himself doesn't he? Max? Anyone?

But aeneas1 posted an article about the Jet Sweep Revolution ... for some reason the article triggered in my mind a player from the past that would have been awesome in McVay's offense. Terry Metcalf. So I watched a video of Metcalf ... he didn't get his shoulders low either ... but every time he had the ball in his hands the play was not just downhill, but it was STEEP downhill ... then it dawned on me ... there are a LOT of similarities between Metcalf and Darrell Henderson ... Henderson's plays are STEEP downhill also.

If Terry Metcalf could be successful RB in the "Air Coryell" offense, then why can't Henderson be successful in the "Sean McVay" offense? I think he can. (Henderson even has better ball security technique) I'm stoked. I'm excited.

Interesting comparison.

The guy he reminds me of is Maurice Jones-Drew. I don’t know that Henderson has MJD’s power, but I see a similar combination of balance and explosion in a compact frame.

i believe metcalf ran behind a fullback most of his career, no such luck with the rams.

Anybody that can average 8 YPC over a full D1 season has my attention. And, I love the fact that Memphis ran a similar running game to ours.
BTW--A long time ago we drafted a smallish wide out from Memphis in the 2nd round, and he turned out ok..................Isaac Bruuuuuuuuuuce!!!!

Eric Dickerson didn't exactly get his pads low. It's not the be-all end-all. Henderson's competition wasn't great, but that's not a knock on him--just makes it more difficult to evaluate him. There's no doubting his acceleration though. He's got this burst from steps 2 thru 4 that's breathtaking. Moreso than his top end speed. The style fit will make him successful.

One thing I don't get is the "change-of-pace" chorus. I think he's a very similar back to Todd Gurley stylistically. Gurley is just a bigger, faster version. Maybe it's his receiving skills that will differentiate him, but I never understood why the Rams didn't develop that part of Gurley's game more.

phoenixrising wrote:Maybe it's his receiving skills that will differentiate him (Henderson), but I never understood why the Rams didn't develop that part of Gurley's game more.

i think mcvay has done a great job involving gurley in the passing game, roughly 1 of 4 plays to gurely have been passes since mcvay arrived, which ranks gurley close to the top 10 among rb who saw at least 100 carries... this is a far cry from fisher's two years with gurley, when gurley was targeted just 14% of time, the equivalent of a 30th ranking.

All I know is, they saw something in Henderson to make him their second overall pick. IIRC, his 40 time wasn't great but his short burst sessions showed some very good quickness. Which is what you want in a change of pace back. Hitting them with Gurley who's got more downfield speed, then Henderson who hits the hole quick, can throw defenses off just enough. Kinda like a pitcher changing speeds to keep hitters off balance. Then throw in the power running of Brown and I can see this team being a top running team. If there's any truth to defenses having a blueprint on McVay's passing attack that would really take pressure off of Goff.

snackdaddy wrote:Kinda like a pitcher changing speeds to keep hitters off balance. .... I can see this team being a top running team. .

It would be fun to see this team have two 1000 yard rushers and two 1000 yard receivers.

Hey @aeneas1 has an offense ever led the NFL in passing and rushing in the same season?

aeneas1 wrote:i believe metcalf ran behind a fullback most of his career, no such luck with the rams.

But, FBs were used then almost in exclusively power, man on man run games, and some power-G with pulling guards. As you know, the zone game uses the OL to "lead" in the second level and the space created by movement to set up blocking areas and cut back lanes. So, stylistically, event when running tall, Henderson doesn't need a FB. He need the lane to instantly get vertical in and explode. He will learn to take on contact better as a pro - hopefully he wont have a lot of direct contact. I think he is an excellent fit for what McVay does and I think we will see him on the field immediately this season - and with regularity.

Also, I think Metcalf would have been an awesome cut-back zone runner. I loved watching him.

Additionally, this game is still about power, but it's a different power now, so to speak. This game is different than in the past. It is now more about a combination of quick explosion (which requires power and flexibility), creating space and separation, and speed. In most areas, generating explosive bursts of power in short areas is key - that power usually converts quickly to speed. That is how I see todays game at least.