No. 5: T.J. Yeldon and Derrick Henry
We've cheated on a couple of these, but the majority of our selections so far have focused on one person. The "P" in VIP stands for "person," after all.
But we're doing it again with No. 5 because, well, Alabama's never been just a one-man show at running back since
Nick Saban took over in 2007.
T.J. Yeldon and
Derrick Henry are talented enough and good enough at what they do to be VIPs in their own right. But for the 2014 Crimson Tide, they're poised to be a two-headed monster that, ideally for Alabama fans, will replicate what Yeldon and
Eddie Lacy did in 2012 (2,430 yards, 29 TDs, 6+ yards per carry) en route to a BCS National Championship.
Sure things, at least during the offseason, are boring. That's why there's been minimal chatter about both of these players since spring football began in March. It's exactly the way it's been for years at Alabama, as the running backs make the majority of their headlines during the season.
Yeldon's on pace to become one of Alabama's all-time leading rushers. Through two seasons, he's racked up 2,343 yards and 26 touchdowns, working as the "1B" to Lacy's "1A" in 2012 before taking on the lead role in 2013.
The rise of Henry should allow Yeldon to stay a bit fresher throughout 2014. As the carries piled up near the end of 2013 -- he averaged 25 in his final three regular-season games -- Yeldon appeared to slow down just a step. His ball security, just like
Kenyan Drake's, was also a concern.
Henry finished 2013 with a bang and carried the momentum into his sophomore season. Outside of wide receiver
Amari Cooper, no player received more positive praise from Saban than Henry did throughout the spring. At 6-foot-3 and a chiseled 238 pounds, Henry is a truly unique option in
Lane Kiffin's offense, particularly when countered with Yeldon's traditional build and running style.
Even while he discussed the quarterbacks after A-Day, Saban threw a bone to this duo. It was a relatively rare moment, a reminder that boring certainty beats exciting uncertainty any day.
"It's also our goal for the quarterback to be the distributor of the ball," Saban said. "We feel like we have three really good playmakers at receiver and three really good players at running back. Those guys have to get the ball, too."
Yeldon and Henry will take it as much as Kiffin's willing to put it in their hands. Together, they'll insure that neither gets too worn out in the process.
Continue reading...