Well, there were 2 seasons that program-changing Derrick Henry split time as the #2 behind Demarco Murray, a third where he still wasn't trusted at all as a receiving threat, barely broke 1000 yards and racked up some TDs... then, his 4th year in the league, they finally give him a feature role and he was great for 2-1/2 seasons till he broke down from usage... also Alabama had 3 other 5* backs behind Henry that would have picked up similar yardage behind the ridiculous OL they've had for years... so no... I don't think Derrick Henry was program-changing for anybody really... I think he's a great back with bad hands (unless they are being used to stiff-arm linebackers)... he's like 250 lbs and runs a 4.5... I mean... he's a freak of nature.... I enjoy seeing safeties make potentially life-altering decisions on whether to try to tackle him when he gets loose...
But...
Titans record the past 10 seasons, Henry's production, and what coach was active...
2021 12-5 (937 yards, 10 TDs)
2020 11-5 (2027 yards, 17 TDs)
2019 9-7 (1540 yards, 16 TDs)
2018 9-7 (1058 yards, 12 TDs) (Mike Vrabel hired)
2017 9-7 (744 yards, 5 TDs)
2016 9-7 (490 yards, 5 TDs)
2015 3-13 (Mike Mularkey hired)
2014 2-14 (Ken Wisenhunt hired)
2013 7-9
2012 6-10
2011 9-7 (Mike Munchak hired)
Jeff Fisher Era
So unless you're telling me Henry's 490 yards and 5 TDs directly contributed to transforming the Titans from 3-13 to 9-7 in one year... Henry's numbers didn't really correlate to record changes other than having the one 2k season.... but then the next year they do better without him after 8 games...... so... I dunno man... he's a great back with a big hole his game, that he makes up for with the ability to stiff-arm a defensive end
All that being said... I think "program-changing running back" is a silly term... This is the same reason RBs don't go #1 overall in the NFL draft... they don't last long even if they are absolute studs and every team that drafts one in the top 10 ends up regretting it, even if they don't turn out extremely disappointing... other than maybe Adrian Peterson... but that boy different.... Zeke Elliot is a good example... great back, he worked out for the most part, has had some good seasons... they probably should have used that pick on something else, though...
There's other blocking solutions than demanding a RB play in pass protection... also.... that's a teachable thing... breaking a man's shins trying to reverse direction to arm-tackle you is not a teachable thing...
idk about the hardly anyone wanting him back? A few vocal idiots didn’t want him back.
