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

[So Ram]

Totally agree! I love Hendo for this very reason

Hey look at you Man! Welcome in always. Great response.

Sort of really sucks Williams got hurt.Would have been a real nice little stable of RB’s.(Sure Alexa(e) agrees Sure Alex?

The Rams NFL site really stinks on roster updates & I’m not a big Fan of Jake Funk - Jake.
—Funk vs. Brown special teams? Haven’t watched games that close this season.

I’m right with the poster of HENDO being The Rams Best(all-around) RB.
Hate CAM AKERS blocking.Do think he is the better pure RB rushing the ball though.

Most Rams Fans haven’t appreciated HENDO.It’s easy to do for The Haters as I call them(negative posters). I’m a Kool-Aide drinking.

Where I rest my case ALLWAYS as a Rams Fan with HENDO is his SuperBowl 3rd dwn catch. Without him & the 50 yards to boot was as big as Cooper Kupps 4th dwn run. Just add time to the clock & a couple yards.

Forever will remember John Sullivan his last game. That was not a hold & for that we never got to see Todd Gurley take over in The SuperBowl victory that never was. Might have even saved Tom Brady’s marriage.

 

[So Ram]

Arizona, for one. Akers is the harder back to tackle, and I see more lateral agility in his game (better jump cut, especially). I also expect him to keep getting better as the year goes. My money is on him being our lead back by the time the playoffs come around. DH is more of a weapon in the passing game, but he simply doesn't evade enough tackles as a runner.

I think you're right that DH has a better feel for the blocking scheme and is better at finding holes. That's not surprising considering he has a lot more experience. As the blocking improves, I expect Akers will separate himself. With bad blocking, DH might be a better option. With good blocking, I'm taking Cam, as long as he stops fumbling.

Can’t block & turns the ball over. We have all THE BIG HITTERS today. Good to see you jrry32.

I agree you Cam Akers will get better & be the lead RB. If not he has NO-HEART.

Cam Akers is so Young.He has a nice future if knee is 100%. Don’t know if it will ever be what it was?

My Biggest complaint on HENDO is his vision. If Jake wants to do a video(witch I need to go to his site), seeing the huge holes he runs away from than through would show at least 10 close to House calls or 25 plus yard gains. Saw at least 1 & probably 2 against the 9ers alone.

 

[nighttrain]

If Cam is healthy he is the better RB, and it's the reality.
train

 

[LARAMSinFeb.]

When you can't have a Todd Gurley in his prime, having a stable of 2 (or more) good RBS is smart because it's by far the most injured position in football. I think the bigger issue is assembling a line that can blow people off the line of scrimmage when needed and crack open some lanes and holes for them.

 

[Kupped]

I just wish McVay would get next-level creative with the run game.. he's already doing some fun stuff.. Brandon Powell has been effective on runs.. get him the ball more.
This week could see a lot of jet sweeps.. let's see Skow and Robinson get one.

I think they should have some fun with a 2nd TE. I would absolutely LOVE to see them put Hoecht in that spot.. and in the backfield. He's kind of limited as a pass rusher.. but is a big athlete. Having him be a lead back on some runs.. or almost a 6th lineman in the backfield during tough times sounds like a fun gimmick.

 

[Laxbird]

Funny thing is that everyone last year and years in past were down on Henderson cause he never lasts the season before getting injured. I've always said he's an awesome back and has all the boxes checked in 1. running 2. pass catching 3. blocking 4. blitz pickup.

Now that we are seeing Akers as possibly a lemon guess everyone is coming out of the woodwork for Henderson

 

[Pancake]

I don't think Akers is a lemon, a bust or bad player. I think he's a very good runner but is having a hard time getting it going behind a terrible OL and very limited opportunities. Hard to do anything if you never get the ball.

 

[majrleaged]

The blocking has sucked, but both backs are missing holes. Akers was one of the better backs at squeaking thru small gaps and very quick side to side and getting something out of nothing. Now we have 2 backs that to me both look exactly the same. Hendo has always been mediocre and now so is Akers. I hope Jerry is right and that at some point this year Akers starts to pop and pop consistently. Until then the running game is just a slight distraction to the D.

 

[Kupped]

The blocking has sucked, but both backs are missing holes. Akers was one of the better backs at squeaking thru small gaps and very quick side to side and getting something out of nothing. Now we have 2 backs that to me both look exactly the same. Hendo has always been mediocre and now so is Akers. I hope Jerry is right and that at some point this year Akers starts to pop and pop consistently. Until then the running game is just a slight distraction to the D.

Great description of what Akers did well.. I would call him “slithery”… slight movements that made him very tough to hit.

We’ll see if he gets back there.

 

[Soul Surfer]

Cam Akers missing that cut back was outrageous.

You can't teach vision and I just don't see that in Akers after that blind performance.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

After that Dallas game is anyone still claiming that Akers is the better back? There’s some good ‘film’ saying otherwise.

 

[OldSchool]

After that Dallas game is anyone still claiming that Akers is the better back? There’s some good ‘film’ saying otherwise.

Some shitty film from Hendo too running right into the line. As I said in the GDT Hendo is a good #2 (who I also say is gone this off season) and Akers has been a #1 but isn't consistently showing it this year. Arguing that either is the answer is just lying to ourselves.

 

[Merlin]

I don't think Akers is a lemon, a bust or bad player. I think he's a very good runner but is having a hard time getting it going behind a terrible OL and very limited opportunities. Hard to do anything if you never get the ball.

I think McVay abandoned the run when Akers got sent to the tent for the check. But he passed apparently, so there is no reason to abandon it when you know damn well that Dallas is weak in stopping the run. Plus early on we were running on those clowns.

He just overreacted to the big plays in the backfield. But he has to be tougher than that mentally in his play calling going forward or Stafford is going to get killed.

We honestly don't have guys who are playmakers right now. McVay has tried to move the ball quickly to the playmakers but they're getting beat out there too. Akers missed a couple holes but what is important is that there were holes so you keep calling those plays and get him rolling.

OR you go trade for a fucking back you are willing to keep in the game. I know this... The run game will never get back on track with Henderson out there. Period. I know that because this is an old problem and Henderson has been here through multiple iterations of it. Akers is on his second iteration and they have to at least try to get him rolling if they want a ground game. At least until the rook returns and then maybe he can do the job.

 

[Snaz]

I think McVay abandoned the run when Akers got sent to the tent for the check. But he passed apparently, so there is no reason to abandon it when you know damn well that Dallas is weak in stopping the run. Plus early on we were running on those clowns.

He just overreacted to the big plays in the backfield. But he has to be tougher than that mentally in his play calling going forward or Stafford is going to get killed.

We honestly don't have guys who are playmakers right now. McVay has tried to move the ball quickly to the playmakers but they're getting beat out there too. Akers missed a couple holes but what is important is that there were holes so you keep calling those plays and get him rolling.

OR you go trade for a fucking back you are willing to keep in the game. I know this... The run game will never get back on track with Henderson out there. Period. I know that because this is an old problem and Henderson has been here through multiple iterations of it. Akers is on his second iteration and they have to at least try to get him rolling if they want a ground game. At least until the rook returns and then maybe he can do the job.

I think he gave up when it was 3 negative run [plays for minus yards. Then were too far behind to think abut running.

Something off with Akers... Henderson isn't even trying to make tacklers miss, running straight at them. It's weird. All weird, like the Mountain Dew mystery flavor weird.

 

[Merlin]

Yeah it was 3 I think. But we weren't out of the game at that point by any stretch. Defense had us in it. The decision to not run it was made by him.

Also and btw I am starting to feel like maybe he should let someone else call the plays. Maybe we are living in that window of his career arc where he realizes it.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

Some shitty film from Hendo too running right into the line. As I said in the GDT Hendo is a good #2 (who I also say is gone this off season) and Akers has been a #1 but isn't consistently showing it this year. Arguing that either is the answer is just lying to ourselves.

I already said earlier that neither is good enough, but right now I’d be giving Henderson more touches.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

I think McVay abandoned the run when Akers got sent to the tent for the check. But he passed apparently, so there is no reason to abandon it when you know damn well that Dallas is weak in stopping the run. Plus early on we were running on those clowns.

He just overreacted to the big plays in the backfield. But he has to be tougher than that mentally in his play calling going forward or Stafford is going to get killed.

We honestly don't have guys who are playmakers right now. McVay has tried to move the ball quickly to the playmakers but they're getting beat out there too. Akers missed a couple holes but what is important is that there were holes so you keep calling those plays and get him rolling.

OR you go trade for a fucking back you are willing to keep in the game. I know this... The run game will never get back on track with Henderson out there. Period. I know that because this is an old problem and Henderson has been here through multiple iterations of it. Akers is on his second iteration and they have to at least try to get him rolling if they want a ground game. At least until the rook returns and then maybe he can do the job.

Akers isn’t looking good. Plus he Carrie’s the ball too far from his body.

Henderson at least hits the right hole fast and goes forward instead of backwards.

Saying Henderson is the problem because he’s been here for three years of poor production is lazy. It is way more than Henderson’s fault.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

I think he gave up when it was 3 negative run [plays for minus yards. Then were too far behind to think abut running.

Something off with Akers... Henderson isn't even trying to make tacklers miss, running straight at them. It's weird. All weird, like the Mountain Dew mystery flavor weird.

Henderson’s game has always been speed and burst. He’s a slasher. Akers makes more cutbacks but he’s not even seeing the holes consistently.

Yeah it was 3 I think. But we weren't out of the game at that point by any stretch. Defense had us in it. The decision to not run it was made by him.

Also and btw I am starting to feel like maybe he should let someone else call the plays. Maybe we are living in that window of his career arc where he realizes it.

I’ve felt this way for several years. Too much of the same responses from McVay. He needs new ideas and someone who is willing to make changes and counter what the opponent is doing.

McVay is a staunch believer in his system. He is willing to live or die with it. All he does is blame execution. Sometimes a system cannot work if you don’t have enough of the right pieces and a coach needs to adjust and stick with it.

 

[Merlin]

Akers isn’t looking good. Plus he Carrie’s the ball too far from his body.

Henderson at least hits the right hole fast and goes forward instead of backwards.

Saying Henderson is the problem because he’s been here for three years of poor production is lazy. It is way more than Henderson’s fault.

He has been here through iterations of the team needing to bring in backs to settle things. Like it or not that is the truth.

Some believe in him still but I view that as the definition of insanity.

Right now he is contributing but still incapable of changing our offensive trend. That won't change. Rams will require someone to emerge in the run game.

And I agree Akers is disappointing. But he is the guy with the best chance to help us through this IMO. Barring Williams returning and becoming part of that equation. Maybe he matters for us down the road we will see.

 

[CoachAllred]

I agree Akers is disappointing.

He has not looked like his old self all year. I'm not sure he ever will after that terrible injury.

But what boggles my mind is he looked very explosive when he came back last year.
Now he just looks a lot slower. Don't understand it.

I know he has had no blocking, but just watching him run, he looks slow to me.
Do you see it or am I seeing things?