As TitansOnline.com's Jim Wyatt
Derrick Henry continues to take a beating this season -- from himself.
After the team’s first two games, Henry criticized himself for not being as productive as he’d hoped. Henry bashed his performance, and said it upset him when he watched the tape.
Well, his most productive game of the season last Sunday in Jacksonville didn’t change his opinion. On Thursday, he vowed to be better heading into this week’s game against the Eagles.
“It’s been trash play, and it’s unacceptable as far as me and my position,” Henry said. “The position I play, I have to be more physical, and I have to make more explosive runs. I have to help this offense in a big way that I’ve always talked about that I want to do.
“It’s a mentality thing. I just have to get it. I have to get it.”
Henry ran for 57 yards on 18 carries against the Jaguars in the team’s 9-6 win. He did most of his damage in the second half, when he had 42 of his yards. In three games this season, Henry has 139 rushing yards on 46 carries, with a long run of 14 yards.
Dion Lewis leads the Titans with 143 yards on 39 carries.
Things won’t be easy on Sunday against a Philadelphia defense that’s ranked No.1 in the NFL in rushing defense.
“Like I told my mom yesterday -- I let three go away,” Henry said. “It has to be different the rest of these games.”
Meanwhile,
Marcus Mariota played with a glove on his right hand when he came off the bench last Sunday
to guide the Titans to a win over the Jaguars. But it almost seemed like he was wearing handcuffs, because of his limitations throwing the ball downfield as a result of his elbow injury.
While all indications are Mariota has made progress this week, expect a heavy dose of the rushing attack.
Until we see Mariota go deep -- or intermediate for that matter -- assume he can't.