Why Darrell Henderson is the Rams best RB and it’s not close

[JKBOGEN]

View: https://youtu.be/3wQUlpheN3g

 

[LARAMSinFeb.]

Always been a big Hendo fan, if only bc of the lack of respect he gets. I love how quickly he can pull a catch in and turn upfield, almost like it's one motion. Most nfl rbs get hurt often.

 

[JKBOGEN]

Always been a big Hendo fan, if only bc of the lack of respect he gets. I love how quickly he can pull a catch in and turn upfield, almost like it's one motion. Most nfl rbs get hurt often.

Totally agree! I love Hendo for this very reason

 

[bubbaramfan]

Hendo way better at pass pro, picking up blitz. Akers not so good.

 

[Tano]

The only issue that I have with Henderson is that he always get hurt after 5 games or so when he is the starter.

 

[Boston Ram]

Truth is both are average. The biggest advantage Henderson has over Akers is the fumbles.

All these advanced stats do not account for the Achilles injury and perhaps Akers returning prematurely, that’s just my opinion he returned early.

I like Henderson as an RB2 who comes in on passing plays.

When right, my eyes tell me Akers is the better back and before the Achilles the Rams were a better with him.

But Akers fumbles would put him on my bench for a good 6 weeks. Almost gave away the playoff game against TB and 2 weeks ago against the Cards on the goal line.

Hendo is better now because he don’t give the ball away.

 

[den-the-coach]

The other area that is being missed is that Henderson is far better at the goal line, he has the burst that propels him into the end zone. Problem once the Rams get into the red zone especially from the 10 yard line in, they forget the run. It's pass, pass, pass.

At this point Henderson should be option A and Akers B concur with others too like @bubbaramfan of Henderson's ability to pick up the blitz too. Enough with the shuttle go with Henderson the majority of the time and let him get into the rhythm if you please and even if you don't please and when the Rams are in the red zone, run the damn ball!

 

[JKBOGEN]

The other area that is being missed is that Henderson is far better at the goal line, he has the burst that propels him into the end zone. Problem once the Rams get into the red zone especially from the 10 yard line in, they forget the run. It's pass, pass, pass.

At this point Henderson should be option A and Akers B concur with others too like @bubbaramfan of Henderson's ability to pick up the blitz too. Enough with the shuttle go with Henderson the majority of the time and let him get into the rhythm if you please and even if you don't please and when the Rams are in the red zone, run the damn ball!

AMEN

 

[den-the-coach]

AMEN

@JKBOGEN I have listened to you enough (enjoy the podcasts) to know you are a big fan of Henderson even when he was still at Memphis. Durability has truly been his only issue, but I believe McVay feels that way about Akers and thus is why he's getting the opportunity. The other underlying issue is Henderson being in the last year of his deal and I don't think the Rams plan to extend him. That should not matter, but for some reason, it appears this year, it does.

 

[rdlkgliders]

Quite simply Hendo's game has improved in all aspects and Cam's has not, Pre Achilles Cam gave us all hope with what truly was a relatively small sample size, post Achilles Cam has been unimpressive but I still think it will take the season to see where he is at both physically and possibly mentally.

I like that Henderson seems to be running tougher than in the past and so far so good on the injury front

 

[jrry32]

I think Cam is a better runner.

 

[Kupped]

Both healthy? Cam is the more impactful player and has shown that.

But.. I don't think Cam is who he was before the injury.

Henderson has plenty of limitations.. but is the better back right now.

 

[Merlin]

This opinion will be proven wrong this season. Even in his lesser state since his return from injury Cam is the better back.

Henderson's game has improved in pass pro. Which I do appreciate. But he's not special as a runner. He is solid as a pass catcher but not to the point where McVay has felt the need to get him out there. And of course you cannot count on him to stay healthy. You cannot even count on him to finish a big game when the backfield is tight on options.

Decided to take a quick spin through his splits just to make sure they're as poor as my memory recalls, as it can be porous I admit. Basic question here is how many times has he taken 20+ carries or exceeded 100 yards in his career. Let's take a look.

In more than 3 seasons he has received 20 or more carries twice. Two times. And he has exceeded 100 yards on the day one time. Once. If you look at 2021 splits during our midseason losing streak they handed him the ball an average of 10 times. The very next game which was a victory over Jacksonville they traded for Sony Michel, who immediately went 24 carries for 121 yards. We traded for a RB who can take the carries last season because Henderson could not be counted on.

2019

2020

2021

2022

 

[rdlkgliders]

I think Cam WAS a better runner.

Haha, yeah he has more upside but unfortunately hasn't regained form

 

[Merlin]

Here's what RB splits look like under McVay when the RB is elite:

 

[Kupped]

Here's what RB splits look like under McVay when the RB is elite:

View attachment 56848

I think they were heading the right way with healthy Akers.
But.. he just doesn’t seem to be the same. Maybe it’s the line.. we’ll see.

 

[JKBOGEN]

I think Cam is a better runner.

Nothing supports that though. Not the film. Not analytics or stats. I think he is more boom or bust and flashy

 

[Merlin]

I think they were heading the right way with healthy Akers.
But.. he just doesn’t seem to be the same. Maybe it’s the line.. we’ll see.

The problem here is that it's Akers or bust. It's not Akers vs Henderson. Because we know we cannot rely on Henderson. So I think this is Akers year to show what he can do and if he can't take advantage we'll address RB most likely in the offseason.

We do have the rookie RB factoring in at some point too. But I think he has already shown to be more of the same, i.e. a small back who fits what McVay likes but who already looks fragile.

And I know folks think I hate Henderson but I don't. I just see him for what he is, which is a change of pace back. And not a particularly good one at that. If Akers doesn't improve a LOT and in the next few games the Rams may make a move for a RB again. Because they cannot rely on Henderson and they know that now.

 

[JKBOGEN]

@JKBOGEN I have listened to you enough (enjoy the podcasts) to know you are a big fan of Henderson even when he was still at Memphis. Durability has truly been his only issue, but I believe McVay feels that way about Akers and thus is why he's getting the opportunity. The other underlying issue is Henderson being in the last year of his deal and I don't think the Rams plan to extend him. That should not matter, but for some reason, it appears this year, it does.

Yeah it’s odd and what you say makes sense but he’s clearly better by literally everything and this team should be playing him if they are trying to win now

 

[JKBOGEN]

The problem here is that it's Akers or bust. It's not Akers vs Henderson. Because we know we cannot rely on Henderson. So I think this is Akers year to show what he can do and if he can't take advantage we'll address RB most likely in the offseason.

We do have the rookie RB factoring in at some point too. But I think he has already shown to be more of the same, i.e. a small back who fits what McVay likes but who already looks fragile.

And I know folks think I hate Henderson but I don't. I just see him for what he is, which is a change of pace back. And not a particularly good one at that. If Akers doesn't improve a LOT and in the next few games the Rams may make a move for a RB again. Because they cannot rely on Henderson and they know that now.

So we can rely on the RB who is always hurt in Akers and kills more drives and fumbles and can’t score touchdowns? I’m confused