Former defensive back and current ESPN analyst Ryan Clark might have just given Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry some extra motivation ahead of Week 7.
Clark, who used to play for the Titans’ Week 7 opponent, the Pittsburgh Steelers, said on ESPN’s “First Take” on Friday that Henry isn’t the same tough runner against defenders his size in the front seven as he is at the second level.
“He has late-play bravery,” Clark said. “He don’t have the same type of bravery when he’s around them dogs… When he’s in that mess and them boys are the same size, he don’t run the same.”
Clark went on to explain further:
“I’m telling you right now… I would get in a track stance, if I knew it was run, I would take off running and I would either have to hit Derrick Henry or the goal pole by the time I stop. Somebody has got to prove a point that when you get to the secondary, we’re not playing those games no more because you don’t do that when you’re in the front seven. I’m telling you, that junk is fake bravery, it’s late bravery.”
Here’s a look at the full clip of Clark’s comments:
@Realrclark25 just made me that much more pumped for this @Titans game. The disrespect is REAL. Apparently @KingHenry_2 ain’t a dog around players his size. Can’t wait to find out😭 #Titans pic.twitter.com/QO5oFCViEf
— Jay (@JAYMAN096) October 23, 2020
Clark took to Twitter later on and softened his tone about Henry a bit, but certainly didn’t change his opinion.
I think @KingHenry_2 is a monster. One of the best backs in football. I don’t believe he runs with the same physicality in the front 7, or tight spaces as on the second level! This is not a hot take. Just a fact, & it’s ok! Still balls. In a small space I wouldn’t blink!
— Ryan Clark (@Realrclark25) October 23, 2020
We’ve seen this same story before: someone doesn’t think Henry’s toughness is for real in some way, shape or form, only to later eat their words.
Henry will have an opportunity to make Clark eat his words on Sunday, but it’ll have to come against the second-best run defense in the NFL.
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