The Tennessee Titans have had a turnover issue since Week 14, with the team coughing up the football a total of 10 times in that span, tied for the second-most in the NFL.
While Derrick Henry is usually part of the solution for just about everything, in this case he’s been part of the problem, as the superstar running back has lost three fumbles in the last three games he’s played.
Ahead of Week 18, the focus for the Alabama product has been keeping the ball high and tight, as well as being conscious of where defenders are when he fights for extra yardage.
“I’ve been trying to do the best I can to work on it, harp on it,” Henry said. “Me and coach Dews are working on it a lot. If we’re doing anything with the ball, just make sure I’m keeping it high and tight, being conscious of it when I’m out there trying to fight for extra yards. That’s usually when stuff like that happens. You’re not paying attention and defensive players coming back from behind, raking the ball out.”
For running backs coach Tony Dews, it’s all about the fundamentals.
“Really it’s just a reminder of the fundamentals and techniques of carrying the football, you know in terms of keeping his wrist above the elbow and keeping the point of the ball up,” Dews said.
“Some fumbles happen, but you always go back to fundamentals and techniques. So really, it’s just carrying the ball the proper way, squeezing it, and not putting it in jeopardy when he’s running. Then obviously some of it is when you’re fighting through tackles and fighting to break tackles, the second and third guy, they’re coming in gripping at the ball punching at the ball, so just being cognizant. The next layer of that is pad level. By getting his pads over, now they’re hitting the top of your shoulder pads as opposed to having the ball exposed because my body’s upright, my pads are high.”
As we’ve seen time and time again, this Titans team simply isn’t good enough to overcome turnovers, especially from its best player. Henry and Co. must take care of the football in Week 18 if they want to walk out of Duval AFC South champions.