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Derrick Henry’s stiff-arm lessons are paying off for Adam Randall
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- Derrick Henry’s stiff-arm lessons are paying off for Adam Randall
Derrick Henry’s stiff-arm lessons are paying off for Adam Randall
The Baltimore Ravens know exactly what they have in Derrick Henry. Defenders know it, too. For nearly a decade, Henry has built a reputation as one of the NFL's most physically imposing runners.
He turns stiff arms into highlight-reel moments. There are so many defensive backs who could share cautionary tales. What fans see on Sundays is obvious. What happens behind the scenes can often be harder to spot.
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Adam Randall offered a glimpse into that world following Baltimore's 41-3 preseason victory over the Washington Commanders . Randall enjoyed another productive outing in the preseason finale, contributing as both a runner and receiver while continuing to showcase the versatility that has helped him earn attention throughout training camp.
One of his most memorable plays came courtesy of a powerful stiff arm that quickly drew notice from reporters after the game. The man affectionately known as 'King Henry' would have been proud. Later, we learned that he was.
The rookie spoke with the media after the game . When asked about the play, Randall credited a lesson that has become a point of emphasis within Baltimore's running back room.
"It's just kind of a spur-of-the-moment thing. It's something that Coach Eddie Faulkner has been harping on me about just being able to use that and put it in my toolbox... [Derrick Henry] was pretty fired up when I came to the sideline. But, he has mastered that, so I am trying to get like him."
That wasn't the only example of Henry's teaching that Randall provided. He later explained that Henry is actively involved in helping younger backs refine details of their craft.
"We work [on it] every single day in practice."
Randall credited both Henry and running backs coach Eddie Faulkner for stressing fundamentals, including proper ball placement to free up the inside arm for a stiff-arm opportunity. Those comments may seem minor, but they reveal something important about Baltimore's running back room.
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Henry isn't simply preparing for his own season. He's helping develop the players around him. Fans see the rushing yards, touchdowns, and highlight runs. Randall's comments offered a different perspective.
Behind the scenes, one of the league's most accomplished runners is still teaching. He's still mentoring. He's still helping younger backs add tools to their game. On Friday night, one of those lessons showed up on the field. Randall delivered the stiff arm. The fingerprints, however, belonged to Derrick Henry.
This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Derrick Henry's stiff-arm lessons are paying off for Adam Randall
