ESPN - 1,500 yards? Broncos RB Henry says he expects more than that - NFL
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- Travis Henry won't reveal the number floating around inside his head.
Instead, the Broncos running back prefers a guessing game.
1,500 yards?
"Higher," Henry said of his personal goal for yards rushing this season.
Higher?
"I think 1,500 is low for my goal," Henry said with a grin. "I think the sky's the limit for me."
Henry is the NFL's leading rusher through two games with 267 yards. He's had four straight 100-yard games dating back to last season, when he played for the Tennessee Titans. It's the longest active streak in the league.
Yet he expects even more.
"I ain't never going to be satisfied," said Henry, who signed a five-year deal with Denver in March. "Once you get satisfied, that's when they'll bring somebody else in here to replace you. That's why I always feel like I can get better."
Broncos offensive boss Mike Heimerdinger knew what the team was getting when they picked up Henry.
"He's been everything we thought he was and then some," Heimerdinger said. "He's a good, strong runner."
When Jacksonville coach Jack Del Rio watched film of the Broncos' offense, Henry stood out.
"Travis is off to a great start. He seems to be a perfect fit," said Del Rio, whose team will face Denver on Sunday.
Henry's linemen certainly think so. They've been impressed with his ability to explode through the hole in the Broncos' one-cut-and-go system. They prefer a back like Henry, who doesn't hesitate and dance around in the backfield.
"I don't think it matters who he is running behind," offensive tackle Matt Lepsis said. "He's going to be a productive running back anywhere. He's just a good running back."
Jacksonville appears to have Henry's number. He's never rushed for more than 67 yards in five games against the Jaguars. Henry did tie a career high with three rushing touchdowns against the Jaguars on Sept. 14, 2003, when he was with Buffalo. Even in that game, though, he was held to just 26 yards on 21 carries.
This year, the Jaguars' run defense has been porous, giving up a league-high 182 yards rushing a game.
Henry doesn't see it that way, though.
"There's no doubt they have a good defense," Henry said. "They play us tough. We have to execute and do our job."
The 5-foot-9, 215-pound Henry doesn't go to the turf easily. That's what impresses Heimerdinger the most about the former University of Tennessee star.
"The first guy doesn't bring him down. He's going to bounce off him because he runs so hard," Heimerdinger said. "Even if nothing is there, he's still going to get you three or four yards. He does have a rare ability -- good vision and great strength."
The Broncos wouldn't mind getting Henry more involved in the passing game. However, he's usually watching on third downs as Selvin Young comes in to spell him. It's just a way to keep Henry fresh.
"If they want to give me a blow here and there, that's cool with me," said Henry, who has five catches this season for 52 yards. "It's whatever is best for the team."
And what's best is having a recharged Henry in the fourth quarter.
"With his strength and ability, on the 25th or 26th time he carries the ball, he's even stronger. He's just hard to tackle," Heimerdinger said. "He's a complete player."
When Henry first arrived in Denver, he admitted he wanted to put up numbers similar to Terrell Davis, who will become the 21st inductee into Denver's Ring of Fame on Sunday.
In his prime, Davis rushed for 1,538 yards in 1996, 1,750 in '97 and 2,008 in '98.
1,500 yards? Broncos RB Henry says he expects more than that
1,500 yards? Broncos RB Henry says he expects more than that
Linear Mode
