NFL
By: Mark T. Wilson
The Philadelphia Eagles have more holes to fill than adding Derrick Henry to the roster. However, that shouldn’t stop Howie Roseman from making that call to the Tennessee Titans. Henry for Kenneth Gainwell and a few picks will get this done.
Now, the issue lies within the locker room. These rumors have floated around all offseason but then the Eagles made moves to bring in D’Andre Swift and Rashaard Penny. While Penny has been limited, Swift is in the top 5 in Rushing Yards. The trade hounds are back at it just because Swift did not see any real lanes in the Eagles’ loss to the New York Jets on Sunday. So here we are.
Now, as good as Swift has been, imagine a two-headed attack between Swift and Henry. What defense can stop that? Swift has power but no back in the NFL has Derrick Henry power. This is a move the Eagles should really consider.
Although they made a trip to the Super Bowl last season, what failed them in that big game was their inability to move the ball on the ground as they did all season. It takes me back to the 2017 Philadelphia Eagles team that won it all. What did they have? They had a speedster in Jay Ajayi and a bruiser in LeGarrette Blount. Adding Henry would equate to the same format.
Age-wise, analysts believe that Henny is slowing down. So what if he is? The Eagles are not asking him to carry the ball 30 times a game. What they need is a split backfield where neither runner is tiring and they both bring a different element to the offense. Although the Eagles have a top-tier offense, adding Henry will push them to a place where defenses will not dare to challenge them.
Should The Philadelphia Eagles Trade For Derrick Henry
Imagine on first down you have Hurts and Swift, then on 3rd and short, you have to deal with Hurts and Henry. And please don’t mention what could happen on 4th and short. If the NFL is worried about the “tush push” now, things are really about to get weird.
On the season, Swift is averaging 5.3 yards per carry. For the Titans, Henry is averaging 4.3 yards per carry. There is a slight difference there but that’s also due to their offensive schemes and offensive support. Henry had his best years with AJ Brown on the outside. Defenses had to account for Brown. Now, with the Eagles, the defense will have to account for Brown, Dallas Goedert, and DeVonta Smith, plus Hurts. This, in turn, will allow Henry to see more of a 7-man front than a team stacking the box due to the inability of Ryan Tannehill or his current receivers not getting open.
Derrick Henry in the Eagles offense should rejuvenate him. His age means nothing. He’s still one of the most feared backs in the league. Placing him behind what is considered the best offensive line in football, would be a dream to watch for Eagles fans and a nightmare for everyone else.
Yes, they could use help at LB or in the secondary but how often is a player like Henry available? This move will go a long way come playoff time when they have to deal with the likes of the San Francisco 49ers, Dallas Cowboys, or even the Detroit Lions. The goal is to control the clock and keep those powerful offenses off the field. A backfield led by Swift and Henry would do just that. Chasing Swith around the edge and then dealing with Henry up the middle will cause more defensive line rotations than a defensive coordinator would want.
If the Philadelphia Eagles are serious about bringing another Super Bowl title back to Broad Street, it starts with making a trade for Derrick Henry before the trade deadline.
