Derrick Henry Says Dream Pairing With Lamar Jackson Is 'Maybe Even Better' Than He Expected
The pairing of quarterback Lamar Jackson and running back Derrick Henry with the Ravens last season was a match made in football heaven. Unless you were an opposing defense. Then, it was a match made in that other place.
Henry reflected on his first season playing with Jackson in an interview with The Athletic’s Michael Silver. He said it was "maybe even better" than he expected.
Now that's saying something, as Henry and Jackson both had arguably the best seasons of their careers.
"It was electric," Henry said. "He's the best player in the league, and it shows every single game day. He works hard, he's the leader of this team, and it was fun. It's just a great culture around here, and you see why they have the slogan, 'Play like a Raven.' It's just a brotherhood — hard work and physical play that's relentless and disciplined."
Henry, who turned 31 last January, stiff-armed Father Time by coming just 79 yards shy of being the first running back in history to rush for 2,000 yards in a season more than once. He also led the NFL in rushing touchdowns (16) and averaged a career-best 5.9 yards per carry.
"Henry's efforts would have gotten more attention," Silver wrote, "were they not overshadowed by those of two players he adores: Teammate Lamar Jackson, who earned first-team All-Pro honors while narrowly missing out on his third MVP award; and Eagles running back Saquon Barkley who, in Henry's eyes, put together 'probably the best year a running back has ever had in the history of the league.'
"It might stand to reason that Henry would be jealous of the 28-year-old Barkley, who ran for 2,005 yards in the regular season and went on a torrid postseason run that ended with a Super Bowl LIX triumph. However, that does not appear to be a thing. Henry said he was bummed when the Eagles decided to sit Barkley for their otherwise meaningless regular-season finale, depriving the runner of a chance to break Eric Dickerson's single-season record (2,105 yards during a 16-game season in 1984)."
Henry told Silver he was rooting for Barkley in the Super Bowl.
"Heck yeah, I was rooting for him," Henry said. "I love to see people accomplish their dreams, 'cause it motivates me to do the same thing. I love to see running backs happy. I'm not the guy who's like, 'Oh man, why is he doing this (and not me)?' I love to see it. It fuels me."
John Harbaugh's 'Unshakeable Aura' Sets Tone for Ravens
As Henry said, the Ravens have a great culture. Ravens Wire’s Larry Brown Jr. astutely pointed out that it all begins with Head Coach John Harbaugh.
"From speaking life inside the team locker to deferring to his vocal leaders when the time calls for it, Harbaugh's unshakeable aura has only brought camaraderie to his club," Brown wrote.
During Harbaugh's tenure as head coach, which began in 2008, the Ravens have been perennial contenders. They are one of the favorites to win the Super Bowl this season, which would be the second under Harbaugh and first since 2012.
"The Ravens' roster is stacked with talent on both sides of the football heading into the 2025 NFL season. Yet, with so many new faces and personalities, it will be important for Harbaugh to establish his presence," Brown wrote. "The newcomers, including wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, need to know what it truly means to be a part of the franchise.
"The Ravens are a team built on togetherness. Whether the team rises or falls, General Manager Eric DeCosta won't have to worry about drama or chaos disrupting the harmony that exists in the team locker room."
Pundits Say Daniel Faalele Criticism Is Overblown
Earlier this week, Offensive Coordinator Todd Monken pushed back on social media criticism of right guard Daniel Faalele for being knocked down by Indianapolis Colts defensive tackle Adetomiwa Adebawore during last Thursday's preseason game.
Monken said that "one shot on the Internet doesn't make a man" and "Daniel's been outstanding throughout all of camp."
Brandon Thorn, who writes about offensive and defensive line play for the "Trench Warfare" newsletter, agreed that criticism of Faalele, a Pro Bowl alternate last season who started all 17 games, is "overblown."
Thorn told The Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec that Faalele had "several" good reps against the Colts, including nice blocks on two long runs by Keaton Mitchell, one going for a touchdown.
CBS Sports and Ravens preseason sideline reporter Evan Washburn expressed a similar sentiment.
"These are the type of storylines that 30, maybe 29, other teams would be dreaming of heading into the season. If your biggest concern is that an extremely large human being who's proven capable of playing NFL offensive line is maybe growing into the position as we're a little less than a month out from Week 1, be happy where you are, Ravens fans," Washburn said on “Glenn Clark Radio.”
Washburn added that it's difficult even for educated fans to evaluate offensive line play.
"Yes, if it's obvious that a guy's getting beat, then you may be able to say they had a tough rep, or play, or game," Washburn said. "But over the course of four quarters or a few weeks, I tend to lean on those who do it every day, do it for a living, especially at those positions."
LaJohntay Wester Has a Fan in Tavon Austin
Sixth-round rookie wide receiver-punt returner LaJohntay Wester was a fan of Baltimore native Tavon Austin growing up. Austin, who was selected eighth overall by the Rams in 2013 and played nine seasons in the NFL, said he became a fan of Wester after watching him play for Colorado last year.
Austin believes the Ravens have found their punt returner in Wester, who had an 87-yard return for a touchdown in his NFL debut against the Colts.
"Oh yeah. I don't think anybody else has ran one back yet," Austin told WJZ's Alex Glaze. "He's definitely putting himself on the map. I'm a fan of his."
Austin said he sent Wester an Instagram message before the game.
"I just told him, 'Hey, good luck tonight. Be patient and let it come to you,'" Austin said. "The first [punt return], he got a little 17-yard run, got his feet hot for his first one. And the next one, you could see he was running with a different type of vengeance. He was starting to feel himself."
Taylor Swift's 'Welcome to the NFL Moment' Was at M&T Bank Stadium
You may have heard that Taylor Swift appeared on the latest episode of “New Heights,” the podcast hosted by her significant other, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, and his brother, former Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce.
One of the revelations from the show was that the pop icon said her "welcome to the NFL moment" took place at M&T Bank Stadium.
After the Chiefs defeated the Ravens in the 2023 AFC Championship Game, Swift left her private suite at the request of the Kelces' mother and stepped onto the field for the first time.
"It's just like, 'Oh, my God. Oh, my God. Oh, my God,'" she said. "There's so many lights. I have never seen this many cameras. I've never seen this much media in my life, and I've seen a lot of media.
"And then the media sees me, and they're like: 'Ah!' And then they just start running at me, and I'm looking at you, and then you're screaming into the mic, because when there's a mic and there's Travis, he physically needs to scream into it. So basically, I'm experiencing this whole heightened scenario that I had no idea five minutes before I was going to be experiencing. And it's one of my most cherished memories."
Unfortunately for Ravens fans, it's a memory they know "all too well."
Darn it, I promised I wouldn't reference any of her song titles here. Geez, Taylor, "Look what you made me do."
OK, I'm done.
