http://www.nashvillecitypaper.com/in...&news_id=50589
Running backs take a pass on starting job
By Terry McCormick,
tmccormick@nashvillecitypaper.com
June 22, 2006
One of the more interesting battles of next month’s training camp will be the competition at running back.
Fans, coaches and players are eager to see exactly how Chris Brown, Travis Henry and LenDale White will fare running the football.
But a key factor to consider is also how they do without the pigskin in their hands.
A long run ripped off during the preseason will impress the Tennessee Titans coaching staff. But picking up a key blitz on third down that keeps your quarterback out of harm’s way will score just as many points with the coaches when they grade the game tape.
It is one of the reasons that Brown sits atop the depth chart, especially in third-down situations, despite the presence of challengers like the veteran Henry and White, the second-round pick from Southern California.
It is also a factor in why the Titans no longer carry a true third-down back like in the days of Rodney Thomas or John Simon.
“The biggest thing a third-down running back has to have for us is the ability to pass block,” running backs coach Sherman Smith said. “That’s when you get all the crazy defensive schemes. So first of all, you have to have a back who can pass block, who can recognize what they’re doing, give the quarterback time to throw the ball, and then have the ability to catch the ball.”
Smith says Brown is currently the best man for the job and the added playing time that comes from those situations.
“Chris is the guy that makes real good adjustments out there. He understands what’s going on,” Smith said. “So I trust him the most in pass protection, and he’s not a bad receiver. We don’t send our guys on a lot of individual routes and stuff. The No. 1 thing they have to be able to do is pass protect, then be a safety or secondary receiver.”
Brown said it’s something he’s carried in his repertoire since his college days.
“That’s more important than running the ball,” Brown said. “Coach Sherm preaches that all the time. What you do without the ball is going to help you play. If you can’t protect the quarterback, and you don’t know what you’re doing in the pass routes, you’re not going to play, because that’s more important than running the ball.
“That’s been with me since college. My college coach told me, you wouldn’t play if you didn’t know how to pick up blitzes. So ever since then, I tried to learn all the protections and the pass plays, because the running plays will come easy.”
Henry and White have some catching up to do come training camp, says Smith.
“[White] has shown already he has the ability; he can catch,” Smith said. “The big thing for him will be learning the pass protections. We know [Henry] can block, but he has to learn the protections.”
Pass protection is something coach Jeff Fisher will be watching for as well.
“When we evaluate running backs, I think it’s real important to emphasize playing without the football,” Fisher said. “That’s not necessarily just protection, but it’s getting to the right spot in routes, and those types of things, selling things. In order to be a complete back, you’ve got to be able to do both things, play with the ball and without the ball.”
Brown the early favorite
Brown the early favorite
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