The Baltimore Ravens’ acquisition of running back Derrick Henry via NFL free agency in March seemed like a perfect match. The former Alabama All-American called the decision to sign with Baltimore “a no-brainer,” and Ravens coach John Harbaugh stated that the two-time NFL rushing leader “fits us really well.”
However, there is one significant concern about Henry’s fit within Baltimore’s offensive scheme.
Scheme Concerns
With Lamar Jackson, the NFL’s premier dual-threat quarterback, the Ravens took 58 percent of their snaps in the shotgun formation in 2023, the sixth-most in the league. This contrasts sharply with Henry’s experience with the Tennessee Titans, where he typically received handoffs a few yards behind the line of scrimmage from a quarterback under center. Last season, Tennessee started 70 percent of its plays with the quarterback under center, the fifth-most in the NFL.
Coaching Concerns
Ravens running backs coach expressed concerns about this mismatch. The adjustment from a traditional under-center setup to a shotgun formation might affect Henry’s effectiveness and comfort on the field. Given his success in a particular style of offense, transitioning to Baltimore’s system could be a significant hurdle.
The Ravens are now faced with the challenge of integrating Henry into their scheme while maintaining the dynamic play style that makes Lamar Jackson so effective. The outcome of this adjustment will be crucial for Baltimore’s offensive success in the upcoming season.
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