Superhorn

I don't have that breakout. They rushed out of 11 personnel 26 times and dropped back to pass 16 times. Edit. Comparatively, their run percentage out of 11 personnel (62%) led the NFL last week.

I hear what you're saying, and the point was taken. Just pointing out that regarding a "spread" attack that the Titans actually did spread the field more than normal. Comparatively, they actually ran more 11 personnel vs. NYG than they did vs NE (64% vs. 49%). I am interested to see what the offense looks like if they get behind, but I also don't think it will amount to a huge change. With his limitations, I don't view Henry as a true feature back in that he's going to consistently play all 3 downs. That's not who he is. Instead, I think his role is very similar to Mark Ingram's. He's the run down back that can also execute in the PA and screen game. None of this is a shot at him, really. Even with that limitation, I think he's capable of being a top rusher in the league. In the event that the team gets behind and needs to spread the ball around, Lewis could, and should, get more snaps. But, that's not a situation you want to chase. If anything, I thought the prevalence of that much 11 personnel vs. NYG was an interesting signal given the game situation, which really lent itself to heavier personnel. Perhaps this was driven by the fact that they had injuries at TE. I've always thought Henry was a better spread runner.

FWIW, they were in 11 personnel 64% of the time against the Giants.

1. I'm also interested to see what this offense looks like when they have to put up points in chunks. 2. The Titans ran play action 7 times against the Giants. 6 with Henry in the game (4/6 - 41 yards), and 1 with Lewis (0/1 - 0 yards). They definitely brought Lewis in as the 3rd down back, but they weren't bringing Lewis in to run play action.

Maybe so. Handful was perhaps overstated. I would, however, point out that many of those guys don’t carry a feature back load. We could get down a rabbit hole comparing the merits of the above backs to Henry (ie whether they are better receivers), but that detracts from the relevant discussion - does Henry have the baseline skill set to run this offense? And the answer is yes. Moreover, this staff would be wise to not lament over what he can’t do, and instead continue to highlight what he can do.

Henry fits the "marrying the run and the pass" part just fine. This is mostly specific to either carrying out an OZ playaction through the hole to the flat, or working the screen game. What he lacks is the ability to effectively run angle routes, and choice routes, which are different concepts than the marriage of the run and the pass. I also think that if you need that unicorn to make your offense go that we may be waiting a while. You can count on one hand the number of guys that can do that AND carry a feature back load. We don't need Henry to be Marshall Faulk. We just need him to execute as the primary running back, and the ability to effectively threaten base concepts that come off play action. He can do that.

I remember Henry saying that, and also thinking it didn't line up with what showed up in film study. Henry is running better, but it's not nearly as stark a contrast as some would like to believe. Henry has been the more decisive runner, and generally made excellent reads all year long.

A running back that's can execute your run scheme is a need. A running back that can be dynamic in the passing game is a want. The fundamentals have to be there before you can worry about adding luxuries. I have concerns that this staff evaluated Lewis as something he isn't - a feature back. He's been a complimentary back his entire career. Last year was a career high of 405 offensive snaps. He's already at 554. Beyond that, I've never thought he was a good zone runner. While he looks the part, and can be sudden, he's indecisive at the point of attack. With his small frame, and a new run blocking system that was a work in progress, it was a recipe for disaster. Whatever the reason, Lewis doesn't appear as threatening lately in the open field, either in the passing or running game.

Why, exactly, isn't Henry a scheme fit? I'd point out that he won the Heisman as a zone runner. Presumably the thought, then, is because he's not a dynamic receiving back. If so, was Alfred Morris a fit for this scheme when he led the league in rushing but was only targeted 16 times?

Just now seeing this. The whole offense is a shit show. Marcus had his own issues independent of a bad game plan. So, he's complicit, too. There isn't a simple answer. The offensive line is abysmal. Pass protection is less than optimal, but I'd argue run blocking is where the real problem lies. This isn't helped by the fact that LaFleur continues to invite defenders in the box with extra blockers every chance he gets. I think he'd be wise to spread to run more like LA has done. If I were LaFleur, I'd remove Jonnu as a starter, and stick with Stocker. Run base 11 personnel, and make a total commitment to establishing the run. This likely means making Lewis a pure 3DB, as he's been much worse than Henry in the run game (separate of the 1st game, which wouldn't look as skewed if not for a terrible holding call). We can spin our wheels arguing about Marcus' future here, etc, but the reality is that he's not ready to be relied upon to carry the offense week in week out. That doesn't mean he can't or won't be that guy, but this one dimensional offense is a recipe for disaster. The Shanny offense is predicated on establishing the outside zone run, and building off of it. Until that gets fixed, the offense will continue to perform erratically - at best.

Right. And, Henry could absolutely prove me wrong. We just haven't seen much of him on OZ runs. Thing is that the system can't be everything to everyone. I think the offense he runs, and the way it marries the pass game and run game will really hum with a Mariota. And, a lot of that has to do with what they do off OZ fakes, and how they use the back in he passing game. Point being, I see he O and think "this fits Mariota". I believe they will tailor the O to him, and then find the back that's the right piece to that puzzle, which could absolutely be Derrick Henry. Also, the results aren't binary. The back can still be successful, even if the system isn't perfect for him.

Maybe. If it is, it would be unlike any system LeFleur has run before. This isn't to say it isn't possible, but I'm not sure it's probable either.

Maybe. I sure hope so, because the guy is a freak. But, when the Titans ran OZ with him last year (which is a very limited sample size) he had issues with cutbacks. He's not a decisive runner. He'll press the intended hole if it's there, but then he looks to bounce. So, yes, if the defense doesn't set the edge well, he'll run effectively. When asked to cut back, he's not (in my opinion) sudden or decisive enough to thrive in an OZ system.

At least worth pointing out - inside zone is very different from outside zone. Yes, Henry ran a ton of IZ at Alabama. It was the foundation of their offense when he was there. Inside zone is associated with a physical brand of football. The back and offensive line attack downhill. The RBs is aiming to run inside the tackles. Alternatively, outside zone starts the play with the offensive line and the back working laterally. The idea is to punish over aggressive defenses or fronts that aren't gap sound...more of a finesse style of running. The initial run point is off tackle, but the onus is on the back to plant and "run to daylight". It's a unique skillset that isn't necessarily highlighted in a traditional power/counter/IZ scheme. I've watched a couple of games from the Rams last year. Outside zone isn't as heavily run as, say, Shanahan runs it. But, I don't think it's a stretch to say that play is a major foundation for them. What's unclear is whether that's personnel related, or dogma. McVay coached under Jay Gruden that comes from a WCO background (like Shanahan), but Gruden's tree isn't rooted in the ZBS scheme. They are more multiple in the way they run the ball. This isn't to say that Shanahan isn't multiple, but their run preference is very clearly rooted in outside zone. The concern is that LeFleur has basically been in an system rooted in outside zone for a decade now, which makes you wonder if he can adapt. Back to personnel. If you go back and watch Gurley at UGA, you'll note that they actually ran quite a bit of outside zone. So, moving the offense towards that scheme made sense. Unfortunately for us, we don't know if they would have forced that scheme if he weren't a fit. I don't think Henry fits an outside zone scheme, but only time will tell how dogmatic LeFleur will be.

He was absolutely asked to pull more than Kline. Kline was the guy Robiskie loved to pull. In that bottom AZ play, they even moved him to LG just so they could pull across, the formation. I didnt chart it closely or study him either. He did have some good plays. Just came away thinking he was slow and lacking power more often than not.