Should Henderson Be Our #1 Back?

[Clonamery]

I'll believe that we are a run-first heavy run team when I see ANY evidence of that being the case.

Not my point but ok.

 

[Zuma]

I'll believe that we are a run-first heavy run team when I see ANY evidence of that being the case.

IMO we will… starting against the Dolphins.

 

[JoeSixPat]

Henderson is clearly (at least to me) our best back. And I think that he can handle at least as many snaps as Stevenson.

Vrabel has decided that we have two top backs and they will be in a rotation of some sort. Gibbs is an afterthought and an emergency backup. So be it,
==========
On Sunday, Stevenson was in on 65% of the reps, with Henderson on 35%. I think that the ratios should be reversed. I think that having Henderson on the field on first down would open up the Offense.

I agree. It doesn't need to be 65/35 but on passing downs I see no reason why Henderson shouldn't be out there.

That being said, long term I'd love to see Josh try to get Stevenson himself more involved in the passing game. We know from 2022 that he can do it and he had 2 receptions on Sunday (yes, Henderson had 6 in just his short time on the field but it's smart to keep Ds honest even on what are likely running downs Stevenson out there.)

As a long time Patsfan I'm hoping to see Drake/Josh spread the field and keep Defenses off balance, not knowing who or where the needed yards may come from.

I think we actually saw the beginning of that on Sunday

How many players had receptions? 10 (whoop whoop!)

And six of them had 2 or more.

While yes, everyone here would probably prefer to have a Welker/Moss type combo accounting for nearly ALL receptions, I think that type of predicability comes back to haunt a team (as it did the Pats) and I prefer an offense where Defenses NEVER know where the play is going.

That can make all the difference when it comes to a play where you absolutely HAVE to have the yards, rather than giving teams the opening to double-team the one or two players they know are going to be the focus on those downs.

 

[JoeSixPat]

starters snaps? what is that?
each game, each opponent, each set of circumstance will call for a different skill set. all 3 backs need to be ready when called, and should be called depending on the situation.
the Pats had trouble running the ball. where was the draw play? where was the screen pass? where was the play action?
does Josh need to step it up? or is Maye not yet ready to step it up?

Actually Maye looked pretty good in play action leaving me wondering why it wasn't used more if they were going to have to abandon the "run first" approach they likely wanted in this game.

But absolutely YES on the situational nature of the NFL in which Stevenson could be considered the better alternative to Henderson in a primary role (especially if it's a play action play)

I'm not sure that was the case here, and they sure couldn't seem to use the run to set up the pass, but each game will be different.

 

[Since1960]

Great question! Let’s see, Henderson is our fastest & quickest back, can catch the ball, is known as a very good blocker, and didn’t have a single fumble during his entire college career. Remind me again why we’re even asking this question?

 

[1960Pats]

Henderson seems special but he is a rookie and should be used wisely imo. Not really sure how they should split the snaps but Rham cannot be the back in obvious short yardage situations. Rham has failed at that multiple years.

Rham dances too much in short yardage situations.

 

[1960Pats]

Great question! Let’s see, Henderson is our fastest & quickest back, can catch the ball, is known as a very good blocker, and didn’t have a single fumble during his entire college career. Remind me again why we’re even asking this question?

Wow! I didn't know that part in bold.

I don't follow college ball but my Ohio friend had lots of good things to say about him. He never mentioned that though. Or maybe he did and I didn't hear him or believe him.

 

[Thelonious]

He plays a very aggressive style for a guy his size, so No. At this point, or in fairly short order, if Stephenson doesn't recover his former skills (It has been a while) I think it's Gibson, but I am skeptical he is the long-term answer to the need for an every- or early-down back. I suspect RB will be one area of need in next year's draft, maybe in the mid rounds.

 

[Thelonious]

Rham dances too much in short yardage situations.

He really does. He has become weirdly Maroneyesque, contrary to his previous rep and former manner. Then there's the fumbling.

 

[Huckleberry1]

This is a game plan decision. Henderson should be the primary back today because the fish only real strength defensively is their DL, and the Patriots should attack their edges and throw the ball, because their secondary sucks. This isn’t a Rham game, it should be Henderson and Gibson.

 

[Salsalife]

Henderson avg 5.5 per carry when they gave him the ball....idiots...

 

[Thunderhead]

He'd be out injured in short order with too many touches. He took so many hard hits against OAK.

 

[stcjones]

I would be a bit worried about his durability as #1 back …..talentwise…yes obviously…but even at Ohio State they learned to utilize him more sporadically during a game rather than as primary back as he was getting injured a lot with too many reps it would seem

 

[brdmaverick]

Great question! Let’s see, Henderson is our fastest & quickest back, can catch the ball, is known as a very good blocker, and didn’t have a single fumble during his entire college career. Remind me again why we’re even asking this question?

Honestly, I was thinking the exact same thing you were, and then Stevenson goes off on Sunday.

I'll admit I didn't see that coming....especially his usage as a receiver.

Steven defintiely outplayed Henderson on Sunday, but I still tend to agree that when we look back at the full body of work for the year that Henderson will have the better results.

 

[Since1960]

Honestly, I was thinking the exact same thing you were, and then Stevenson goes off on Sunday.

I'll admit I didn't see that coming....especially his usage as a receiver.

Steven defintiely outplayed Henderson on Sunday, but I still tend to agree that when we look back at the full body of work for the year that Henderson will have the better results.

Honestly, I was thinking the exact same thing you were, and then Stevenson goes off on Sunday.

I'll admit I didn't see that coming....especially his usage as a receiver.

Steven defintiely outplayed Henderson on Sunday, but I still tend to agree that when we look back at the full body of work for the year that Henderson will have the better results.

Stevenson surely had a great game yesterday but was hardly noticeable the week before with 15 yards. I still believe before this season is over that Henderson will outplay Stephenson and become the Pat’s #1 back due to his speed, receiving and blocking abilities, and maintaining possession without many fumbles. If he doesn’t outplay Stephenson or Gibson, thats ok too since the team still benefits having multiple #1 equivalent backs.

 

[jimnance]

I love Henderson but he's a rookie.
Rookies make mistakes. Treyveon made mistakes yesterday.
Rham was one of the best players on the field yesterday.
Henderson has incredible talent and physical gifts, great work ethic, smart and seems like a great kid.
He will get many opportunities to shine this year and will improve.
But your last sentence is the most
prescient. All 3 guys playing well will boost this team more than anything else.
We,all know rbs take a beating. They wear down towards end of season.
How cool will it be if we have 3 strong, multi-talented backs in December?

 

[Wozzy]

Is this a second “Henderson should be our #1 RB” thread… one wasn’t enough?

There is no such thing as a #1 RB, it’s all in your head.

 

[signbabybrady]

Is this a second “Henderson should be our #1 RB” thread… one wasn’t enough?

There is no such thing as a #1 RB, it’s all in your head.

Let's stick with Rham a little bit longer lol

 

[SlowGettingUp]

And Henderson needs to go back to blocking school ...
Two holding penalties and some significant missed blocks:

• Henderson whiffed on a block against a linebacker, leading to a sack on quarterback Drake Maye early in the second half.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  5 sources
• He missed a chip block on a pass rusher one play before committing a holding penalty, which also resulted in a sack.
  
  
  
• Overall, observers noted 2-3 sacks allowed due to missed blocks, describing his pass-blocking performance as "embarrassing" and a key reason he was game-planned out of certain plays.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  5 sources

 

[TheRainMaker]

Keep it as it is. Henderson has come back down to reality. Had his welcome to the NFL moment on the missed block on Sunday.