Tennessee Titans, Derrick Henry’s fullback, will be happy to see less of Houston Texans fullback Deshaun Watson – and not because they are the Pro Bowl representatives for the AFC’s 32-12 defeat to the NFC in the “Pro Bowl: The Madden NFL 21 Edition” on Sunday.
After the Pro Bowl was canceled on Sunday due to the coronavirus pandemic, a version of the streaming video took place with Henry and Watson representing the AFC, along with former NFL receiver Keyshawn Johnson and Snoop Dogg as the well-known member. But they lose the safety of the Seattle Seahawks, Jamal Adams, Kyler Murray, quarterback of the Arizona Cardinals, former NFL runner Mashawn Lynch and NASCAR driver Bubba Wallace.
Watson is at odds with the Texans and wants to be traded. Because Houston is a rival from the AFC South of Tennessee and is on the Titans schedule twice each season, Henry is fine with Watson going to a different team because it’ll be better for us’.
“It always came down to the wire,” Henry told Yahoo Sports of the Titans’ games against the Texans. “He’s the type of player Deshaun is. I know Deshaun so well. I wish the best whatever happens to him. But like I said, it’s better for us to be outside the department. We definitely appreciate it. ”
As a running back in Alabama, Henry won the Heisman Trophy in 2015 when Watson, who was Clemson’s fullback, was also a finalist.
Tennessee has won its last three games against Houston, with Henry running for 673 yards and seven touchdowns. But Watson has a 3-3 record against the Titans as the Texans’ first QB, with four of the games decided by six or fewer points.
If Watson gets his wish, Houston will not be the only AFC South team with a new full-back. The Indianapolis Colts’ Philip Rivers retired after the 2020 season, and the Jacksonville Jaguars are expected to pick a quarterback with the first pick in the 2021 NFL draft.
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Opposing backs will not be new to Henry in 2021. Henry has chased the NFL for the past two seasons with Arthur Smith naming the plays for the Titans.
But Smith left his position as Tennessee’s offensive coordinator to become the Atlanta Falcons’ head coach.
“I’m excited for Arthur,” Said Henry. ‘I’m going to miss Arthur, man. Been with Arthur since I joined the NFL and started playing for this organization. Arthur is a wonderful guy. I could not think of anyone else who deserves the opportunity more. I know he’s going to do an excellent job. I wish him all the best in everything he does in his new coaching job in Atlanta. I know everyone who takes offense and in the organization is going to miss him. ”
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Henry made these remarks before Tennessee nominated Smith’s replacement. On Friday, Mike Vrabel, coach of the Titans, announced that coach Todd Downing had been promoted to attacking coordinator.
“Todd has done an excellent job over the past two years and has played an important role in the game planning process every week,” Vrabel said. ‘I was impressed with the details of his teaching and the production from his group and the offense in general. I’m sure he will have some new ideas to implement, but the core system will be in place to build on, which I think is important. ‘
Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @ AMarkG1.
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