Breaking News: The Tennessee Titans Have Good Running Backs

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Anyone with a set of functioning eyes could’ve watched the Tennessee Titans last season and been able to immediately identify the running game as the unquestioned strength of the time. For good reason, too – the Titans fielded one of the best offensive lines in the NFL, and the backfield was pretty damn good, too.

Courtesy of Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) at Titans Online:

Derrick Henry is back in Nashville, and “he looks great,’’ according to Titans running backs coach Sylvester Croom.

It’s a positive development. Croom is also excited about the team’s newest addition at the position – Cal’s Khalfani Muhammad, taken in the seventh round of the NFL Draft over the weekend.

Croom discussed the running backs during a Titans Caravan stop here today at Kroger. A year ago, DeMarco Murray led the way with 1,287 yards and nine touchdowns during a Pro Bowl season. Henry added 490 yards and five touchdowns in his rookie season with the team.
In a shocking turn of events, I was actually nowhere near a television when the Titans selected Muhammad. Truth be told, I was pretty damn shocked to see they had drafted a running back. But, when you actually look into who this kid and the skill set he brings to the offense, you see the logic. You hate to throw such lofty expectations on the kid, but think about the role Darren Sproles filled for what seems like decades. That’s the new dynamic this run game is getting, assuming Muhammad makes the roster.

Henry was back at Saint Thomas Sports Park on Monday. During the first two weeks of the team’s voluntary offseason program, the running back was taking classes at the University of Alabama.

“He looks great, is moving well and seems to be in very good shape for this time of the year,” Croom said of Henry. “It’s obvious he’s been doing a whole lot of work in the time he’s been away.

“There is no problem with Derrick. The guy was in school, he is here now, and he is working. So we are moving forward from there.”

This was something that old school football fans fussed about on Titans Facebook last week. I didn’t think it was much of an issue, and as it turns out, IT ISN’T MUCH OF AN ISSUE. No one in the Titans organization is going to fault Henry for wrapping up school instead of attending a voluntary program.

If he was sitting on his couch eating Doritos, maybe this is a different story. But, alas – he wasn’t.

It’s also encouraging to hear that he’s remained in good shape and is obviously working hard enough for his position coach to take notice. The longer Murray’s career goes, the more Henry will be relied upon in this offense. And, when you run the ball as much as the Titans do, the second running back has to be prepared to step in and play on extremely short notice. Henry is just an injury away from being the workhorse.

As it stands, this could be the best backfield in football in 2017. Murray will continue to be the bell cow, but Henry should see an expanded role, especially if he continues to win his coaches over. Factor in Muhammad as a change of pace, and I don’t know where you find a more versatile group.

As a whole, this Titans offense could be deadly. The team added wide receivers Corey Davis and Taywayn Taylor, in addition to tight end Jonnu Smith, through the draft, and should have another top-tier offensive line in 2017. On paper, it’s the best offense in the AFC South…easily.

Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network. A strong advocate of GSD (get shit done) and #BeBetter, he’s down to talk Tennessee Titans and Alabama Crimson Tide football over a beer any day. Check him out covering the WWE for WrestlingNews.co. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley@WrestlingNewsCo

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