Tag: Derrick Henry

Over the course of their franchise history, the Baltimore Ravens have brought many former Tennessee Titans players to the other side of their rivalry. From Steve McNair and Derrick Mason to Samari Rolle and others, Baltimore has had success adding from Tennessee.

The latest Titans player to leave for Baltimore is running back Derrick Henry. The veteran played for eight years in Tennessee and spoke about the changes it would take him to adjust to a new organization.

“When you’ve been somewhere eight years, there are changes with the people in the organization, just getting to know everybody and getting everybody to know me. [Learning] the culture and how to do things around here I don’t think will be hard. I think I will get acclimated pretty [quickly] by the guys around here. Here, it’s very family oriented [and] a great brotherhood, but no. [I’m] not worried so much about that; [I’m] just excited for what’s in store and getting to know everybody and getting into the swing of things. I’m trying to help in any way possible around here.”

Henry won’t need to be utilized in Baltimore as much as he was in Tennessee due to the many other rushing threats on the Ravens’ roster. While he will still be the top option regarding running backs, there’s more talent around him in Baltimore now than in Tennessee over the last few years.

The Baltimore Ravens introduced running back Derrick Henry at a press conference after signing him to a two-year, $16 million deal.

Henry was asked about the royal purple suit he wore to the conference. He explained his late grandmother’s favorite color was purple, and he wore the suit to her funeral.

“I actually told Coach [John] Harbaugh … this is a funny story. This is actually the suit I wore to my grandmother’s funeral, who raised me. She died in 2016, and [purple] is her favorite color. So, whenever [executive vice president and general manager] Eric [DeCosta] told me that I would be coming to do a presser, I was like, ‘I’ve got to wear this suit.’ We’re actually moving these next [few] weeks, so I was scrambling through boxes, pulling everything out, trying to find this suit and be able to put it together. I definitely wanted to wear this color to honor her and show all the fans around Flock Nation that I’m ready, and I’m on board.”

Henry’s addition has Ravens fans excited, and he should slot in nicely as a top weapon on the team’s offense.

Ravens RB Derrick Henry reveals respect for QB Lamar Jackson

The Baltimore Ravens bolstered their running back room with the addition of Derrick Henry on the second day of the 2024 NFL free agency. The veteran signed a two-year, $16 million deal with Baltimore and will automatically become a massive part of their offense.

During his introductory press conference, Henry was asked if he’d ever considered playing with quarterback Lamar Jackson before signing with the Ravens. Henry said yes and showed his respect for his new teammate.

“Yes, I’ve definitely thought about it. [Lamar Jackson]’s one of the best if not the best player in this league. I’ve had respect for him ever since he came into this league [with] his body of work and what he’s been able to do, and [I have] respect for this organization as well. They have some great players [in] the organization just like Lamar who’ve done a lot of great things [like] Mark Andrews at tight end [and] Roquan Smith at the linebacker position – some great leaders [and] guys who set a good example. [I’m] excited to be teammates with everybody and excited to get in the ‘RB’ [running backs] room to get to know those guys and being able to compete against them, and all of us make each other better.”

Henry and Jackson can play well off each other, with one’s skill set complimenting the other to a tee. Baltimore’s offense got even scarier with the addition of Henry, which opposing defenses will not be happy about.

The Baltimore Ravens are incredibly familiar with the Tennessee Titans, as the two teams have been significant rivals for almost three decades. While the rivalry has died down since the AFC Central days, both teams have come out victorious in crucial victories over the other that have broken each other’s hearts.

One key game between Baltimore and Tennessee was in 2019 when the Titans defeated the Ravens in the Divisional Round in a massive upset. Baltimore general manager Eric DeCosta talked about how he’s glad to have Henry on his side now after the disappointing end to 2019, in which Henry had a significant role.

“So, I’ll tell you, in 2019, we played that [AFC Divisional Round against the Titans], and it was just a gut-wrenching performance. I think we all kind of realized that. But I was at the Senior Bowl, and I left the Senior Bowl and met our team – our coaching staff and a lot of players at the Pro Bowl. I had the chance as a general manager to just observe. And I saw Derrick [Henry] that week, and I watched him, and I watched how the other players related to him. I watched and saw his humility. This is a guy who ran for like – I don’t know how many yards that season – and all the players kind of gravitated towards him that week, and it was a tremendous respect. That resonated with me as a guy who scouts for a living, and having the chance to kind of step aside and watch his career unfold, it’s been very impressive to me.”

Henry is widely respected around the NFL, and DeCosta’s story proves as much. The veteran provides plenty of value on the field, but the Ravens are an organization that has proven they value what a player brings off of it, and Henry checks off a lot of those boxes.