🏈 Frustrated at first, Alabama RB Derrick Henry making moves in weeks entering Sugar Bowl

[BAMANEWSBOT]

Derrick Henry appears to be moving up on the depth chart entering the Sugar Bowl game with Oklahoma.



Read More Here...

 

[bama alum]

Learning pass protection was a (relatively) new thing for Henry, considering his high school coach had him running the ball almost nonstop.

You know, AJ was highly PO'd at CNS for having to wait as well. I don't think Henry's frustrations are all that uncommon. Some handle it a lot better than others, say Fanning or Kamara.

 

[TerryP]

A number of factors left Henry third on the depth chart this fall, but there's hope for bigger things to come. He's been working second in individual drills during the media viewing periods of recent practices. Coaches and teammates also agree the star recruit is turning a significant corner as a young college player as well.

Just my opinion here...

If I'm watching the team warm-up for a game and see a player taking snaps as #2 in the rotation that means something.

In a matter of five to ten minutes, which is the length of the media viewing time at practices, seeing what number they are in line seldom means anything.

 

[mhardiman]

If true this does add to a possible "why didn't we see Drake on the field in the second half of the Iron Bowl." Did Drake get hurt or did he do or say something on the sideline? All I know other than Yeldon's first carry that went about +/-50 yards is Drake was running better that game, then we don't see him anymore.

 

[BamaFan334]

I second mhardiman. Kenyan Drake is a stud, and just as fluid as Yeldon, and maybe a few steps faster. Being a Georgia kid, and me as well, I sure hope he gets to play a good bit, because he could be just like Eddie Lacy and get his chance next year to really shine. I obviously hope Henry pans out and pushes the position to greatness as well, but Drake has what it takes to put six on the board on any given carry. Anyways, I'm glad Henry is embracing his opportunity finally and learning the finer points of the game and how Coahc runs things in Tuscaloosa.

 

[JoshB]

Drake is better than Yeldon... just like Yeldon was better than Lacy... Lacy was better than Richardson... Richardson was better than Ingram... Ingram was better than Coffee... I swear the #2 running back has become more popular than the backup QB used to be around here...

 

[planomateo]

Drake is better than Yeldon... just like Yeldon was better than Lacy... Lacy was better than Richardson... Richardson was better than Ingram... Ingram was better than Coffee... I swear the #2 running back has become more popular than the backup QB used to be around here...

Hasn't been as much this year as it was in previous years.

 

[MissingRing]

I would love to know why Drake wasn't used more often during the 2013 season (especially in the Auburn game). Fumbles, yes. Really bad stuff, but Yeldon had that problem too and still got the ball. Drake has acceleration like Barry Sanders. The guy is just a freak of nature.

 

[TerryP]

If true this does add to a possible "why didn't we see Drake on the field in the second half of the Iron Bowl." Did Drake get hurt or did he do or say something on the sideline? All I know other than Yeldon's first carry that went about +/-50 yards is Drake was running better that game, then we don't see him anymore.

Drake denied, vehemently, that he had any injury in the Auburn game. Yet, there are team members who say he was banged up.

What we know, without a shadow of a doubt, is he went to the locker room with a staff member before the first half expired.

I've reason to believe, with little doubt, he's a kid that needs to screw his head on a little tighter. Like a bolt, he holds things together even though his head is a little loose...but, that weakness shows under stress.

 

[mhardiman]

Drake is better than Yeldon... just like Yeldon was better than Lacy... Lacy was better than Richardson... Richardson was better than Ingram... Ingram was better than Coffee... I swear the #2 running back has become more popular than the backup QB used to be around here...

I'll agree with what you're trying to say to an extent; other than there was no RB better than Richardson, but there was some days Ingram or Lacy had the hotter hand. This years Iron Bowl Auburn was stopping the run and Yeldon was not having his best game; Drake came in for a series, and had a couple eight and ten yards a pop. It apeared Drake had the hotter hand, then he gets pulled from the game after we get down to within the ten and we don't see Drake for the rest of the game. I'm not saying Drake is better than Yeldon, but when you have great runningbacks I think you should rotate them in and see which one is having the better game, and then go with them.

 

[It Takes Eleven]

The RB position is going to be really interesting this coming year. Other than 09 and 10, this is the only other time we could have the same 1-2 backs in consecutive years. Grant got shuffled back in 2008 in favor of Coffey/Ingram/Upchurch.

RTR,

Tim

 

[JoshB]

I'll agree with what you're trying to say to an extent; other than there was no RB better than Richardson, but there was some days Ingram or Lacy had the hotter hand. This years Iron Bowl Auburn was stopping the run and Yeldon was not having his best game; Drake came in for a series, and had a couple eight and ten yards a pop. It apeared Drake had the hotter hand, then he gets pulled from the game after we get down to within the ten and we don't see Drake for the rest of the game. I'm not saying Drake is better than Yeldon, but when you have great runningbacks I think you should rotate them in and see which one is having the better game, and then go with them.

My comment was meant at the people every year that say the backup Running Back, no matter who it is, is the better back and should be getting the bulk of the carries. Certain folks, no names, were saying that Lacy should be getting the carries from Richardson in '11... then Richardson went on to break every single season rushing record in the book.