Ravens RB Derrick Henry sits down with team insiders Ryan Mink and Garrett Downing to discuss his two-year contract extension, why Baltimore has been such a good fit, his desire to win a Super Bowl, the Ravens offense, and much more.
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Speaker 1 (00:04):
Welcome into the lounge presented by DraftKings. I'm Ryan in
here at Garrett Downing and we are thrilled to sit
down with running back Derrick Henry, fresh off signing a
two year contract extension. Congratulations, Appreciate that.
Speaker 2 (00:16):
Appreciate that It's.
Speaker 1 (00:16):
Been one heck of a day for you to get here,
flight delayed and all that, arrive early in the morning
and then get a workout in on thirty minutes of sleep.
I feel like there, it's the quintessential Derrick Henry experience.
Nobody works harder on this guy. Half an hour and
a workout in the morning.
Speaker 2 (00:32):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (00:33):
Well, I just you know, I got in like three am,
waid on my bags, which probably till like thirty forty minutes,
and I got thirty minute drive home, so by the
time I got home it was like four forty five.
I want to give here around like six fifteen, six thirty.
And once I got home, I was just up. I
ain't go to sleep, so I stayed up, and then
(00:54):
when I got close to six o'clock, I was just like, man,
I'm just gonna go brush my teeth and mynt clothes
on the head to the facility. When I got here,
I asked Scott's like, can I work out? He's like sure,
Like cool, I got to sign right after it, so
I want to knock a workout out.
Speaker 2 (01:07):
And it all worked out. I haven't got no sleep yet,
but I'm still functioning.
Speaker 1 (01:12):
I heard they came to you and they're like, all right,
we got to take the physical and all that stuff.
And they're like, yeah, we already got that done. Yeah,
why did you want to get here so early? Like,
I'm still in bed, I'm still sleeping at six o'clock.
You're like, my day is starting that early? What what
is it about you and your work ethic that just
makes you work that hard that early?
Speaker 2 (01:34):
You know? Yeah, I don't know.
Speaker 3 (01:37):
When I got to When I got to the house,
I was just thinking about working out, and then I
tried to doze off a little bit. I was like,
I can't sleep, so I stayed up. I watched Netflix
for a little bit, and that's time I was like,
I'm just gonna going to the facility and get to
work out in And my daughter's birthday was yesterday, so
I usually get a workout on Sunday morning. Didn't do that,
(01:59):
so I was like, I need to work out. I
came up here early and got it doing.
Speaker 1 (02:02):
That's great.
Speaker 4 (02:03):
How is it when you walk into the weight room
and you get a chance to see these guys the
weight room coaches, teammates that like, you know, you haven't
seen it a little bit and it's good to just
be with them. Is it a little bit of a
just a little bit of a welcome back kind of moment.
Speaker 2 (02:17):
Yeah, yeah, it definitely is.
Speaker 3 (02:18):
You know, kind of get that that that feeling football
is coming back. So you know, it's always good to
see everybody and and get things rolling, you know, even
though they try to kill me, but.
Speaker 4 (02:30):
Even only here today, it should be like the light workout.
I feel like you slept for thirty minutes. It's your
contract signing. It wasn't the light workout, not at all.
Speaker 2 (02:37):
I was sweating. Oh like, good lord, I think rethink everything?
Should I should? I went to sleep and.
Speaker 4 (02:46):
Yeah, well look, you know you sign your contract today.
Obviously it's an exciting news for you to get this extension.
What does it mean for you to come here? You
play here one season, had a great first season of
baltim More, and then the team and you work out
this extension to keep you here for two more years?
Speaker 1 (03:05):
Uh, you know, three more to total.
Speaker 4 (03:07):
Just what does that mean to you?
Speaker 2 (03:08):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (03:09):
It means a lot because I value this organization and
I'm very thankful that they value me, and you know,
very thingful that we were both able to.
Speaker 2 (03:20):
Get something done.
Speaker 3 (03:21):
And you know, I want to win a championship here
and that's why I came here, and that's always going
to be the goal. And hopefully for us all said
and done, that we do that, and I and I
have pride and have a look at that we will.
Speaker 1 (03:34):
Was that part of the calculation for you and why
you wanted to get an extension done so much? Was, hey,
we're so close. This obviously worked out really well in
year one and and I want to be a part
of that getting us over the hump.
Speaker 3 (03:46):
Yes, I want to win. I want to win a
super Bowl. That's why I came here to win a
super Bowl. I feel like we have everything we need
to do that. It's just that we got to do it.
And I definitely want to get this done so you know,
I can have more years to be able to help
them accomplish that. And you know, I'm excited for this
season and that's the focus.
Speaker 1 (04:05):
When the season ended, were you immediately thinking, you know,
I know, reporters asked Eric the Costa there, like, how
about the possibility of a contract extension for Derrick Henry?
Is is that likely? And you said, well, I have
his picture hanging up in my office. I should tell
you how I feel about Derek. Did you know, like
as soon as the season ended or how soon did
(04:25):
you know? All right, you know what, I want to
work on an extension as well?
Speaker 3 (04:30):
Yeah, I mean I didn't know when it was gonna
come about. I saw when he when he said that,
and I was hopeful that we'll be able to be
able to work on something. And that's time we don't
We got into that, We got into that focus, and
you know, it came to a reality and I'm very thankful.
(04:52):
And you know, even after the season, all I can
think about, dang. We know we came up short, and
you know, you you don't get over it. You just
learn how to deal with it. And you know, definitely
feel to go into this next one.
Speaker 4 (05:07):
Are you a guy that uses like a previous season
as motivation moving forward?
Speaker 2 (05:11):
Oh yeah, definitely definitely for sure.
Speaker 3 (05:15):
Just how last season ended, you know, we were right
there and you know, you just come up so short
and just had so many high standards and expectations, you know,
for that year, and you know, and like I said,
we fell short. So just more motivation and we are
more fuel than it was last year to get the
(05:37):
job done.
Speaker 4 (05:38):
You you talked about like wanting to win this championship
and this team, the core is intact. I mean, you
guys are bringing back especially on offense. There's like really
no changes for the most part. Was that part of
it too, that you're like, hey, this is the team
is in place, the pieces are in place, the window
is open, and like this is the time.
Speaker 3 (05:56):
Yes, I think you said it perfect, That's exactly That's
exactly how I feel about it. And I feel like,
you know, we have everything we need to go do it.
We just got to do it, you know. And I think,
you know, you just put the work in now and
put emphasis on it, hold each other accountable, push each
other every single day on all three faces of the
(06:18):
ball to be able.
Speaker 2 (06:19):
To go do it.
Speaker 3 (06:20):
And I think as long as we do that each
and every day, then we give ourselves a chance. But
you know, I think we have everything we need from
top to bottom to do it.
Speaker 2 (06:28):
We just got to do it.
Speaker 1 (06:29):
You're coming off a season and career high in yards
per carry. Yes, And I know people ask me and
Garrett too, just how does you know you were around
Derek Henry? How does this guy do it? Like? This
guy is still so productive fantasy football owners, this guy's
still producing for my fantasy team, right, And I'm like, look,
if you met Derek, a rare person the work ethic
and rare athlete obviously, and like, I just feel like
(06:51):
you're the exception to the rule, right that has been
with it in your mind, Like do you feel like
you're still even ascending in your career and and how
do you keep producing at this high level?
Speaker 3 (07:06):
Yeah, I mean I think I'm I still feel like
I can do even better and you know it. You
know it helps having Lamar Jackson besides as well, So
you know I'll take that, take.
Speaker 2 (07:19):
That any day.
Speaker 3 (07:20):
And you know, these guys are just hungry, you know,
Lamar is hungry receivers tight ends.
Speaker 2 (07:27):
That's why we have a good core group.
Speaker 3 (07:29):
And in the old line who did an outstanding job
you know for me to have the success I had. So,
you know, I think just the core on on offense
and you know, the talent that we have. You know,
it just gives everybody opportunity to make plays and have success,
(07:50):
and that that's what makes it. It's so fun and
a lot of young guys that that make me feel
young as well.
Speaker 1 (07:56):
So I asked coach Taggart this question. But I want
to ask you. You know, it's not easy when you're
with one team for so long and you switch teams.
You know in the latter part of your career, it
doesn't always work out. It obviously worked out really well
for you. Why do you feel like it's been such
a great fit between you and the Ravens.
Speaker 2 (08:17):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (08:17):
I just think whenever I got an opportunity last year,
I just believe. I just knew it was gonna work,
and I was gonna make it work. And you know,
I was just motivated to help this team and do
my job the best way I can, you know, because
the Baby has been a top organization, you know, playoff team,
(08:40):
super Bowl teams way before I got here, and I
just wanted to earn their respect and come here and
be an adding.
Speaker 2 (08:47):
Piece to what they already had. They've already been special.
Speaker 3 (08:50):
I mean Lamar and their car offense, and everything they've
done rushing yards, I mean the whole Now, they've already
been special. But you know what can I do to
help them them? And you know, add a piece, you know,
to the offense to get us where we want to go.
And like I said before, also we came up short,
but the goal is still to get to the championship
(09:10):
and winning.
Speaker 4 (09:12):
The way you answer that question reminded me of when
you signed your contract last year, because you kept making
the point that I want to earn the respect of
my teammates. And I don't think it took very long
for you to accomplish that once you came in here.
I think you clearly earned the respect with the way
that you practice, who you approach the game. Not to
even mention, like the resume that you came in here with,
How important was that to you to come in here
like you have all this success in your career, but
(09:35):
the way that you approach things is like this humble mindset.
But to earn that respect of your of your new
teamates once you arrived.
Speaker 3 (09:41):
Yeah yeah, I think I think it was playing against
these guys. I mean, I mean every time we.
Speaker 2 (09:48):
Played the Ravens battles throughout the years.
Speaker 3 (09:50):
Yeah, I mean the Titans, the technic technic tan strap
extraly tighter and be ready for a four quarter battle.
So I knew coming in like these these guys work hard.
You know they have a strong brotherhood, and you know
the Ravens are a top organization, and you know, I
want to come in and show them I don't have
all the answers, no matter what my resume says or
(10:12):
the accolades I have. I'm coming here to work. I'm
a new guy on the block, and I want to
earn the respect and let them know that I'm coming
here to work to help make everybody else better and
myself better, to help this team.
Speaker 4 (10:26):
There's a lot that's made about like your longevity and
and the way I look at it, which we were
just talking about it, like it's not hard to see
why you've been so Like the longevity has been there
because of the way you work. But it's hard to
do that, Like it's just hard to do the work
and have the routine and be as regimented as you are.
How are you able to maintain that like that, that
(10:46):
level of work ethic and drive the discipline the discipline
we have at.
Speaker 2 (10:54):
Nothing but I have cheat days. I don't know, man,
I just you know, I love this game.
Speaker 1 (11:05):
I love.
Speaker 3 (11:08):
Competing each and every day getting better, uh, trying to
be the best, trying to be great as a kid.
You know, I always you know, watch the great ones
and anything I can take from anybody that you know,
helped them and help them be better and the results
it was, it was all proven.
Speaker 2 (11:27):
I always always try to do.
Speaker 3 (11:28):
That, and I'm responged to any knowledge from anybody that's
older than me, younger than me, you know, I always
try to take in accountability of you know, how can
it how can it help me get better? And and
that's just my focus.
Speaker 2 (11:42):
Man. I love getting better. I love working out.
Speaker 3 (11:45):
I love, you know, focus on trying to be the
best in my position and helping the ones that's even
even younger than me, and just trying to be inspiration
to kids and anybody that's trying to do great in life.
Speaker 1 (12:00):
You talk about being an inspiration, I think you also
inspired other running backs around the league, right, And there's
a big narrative the past couple of years about hey,
running backs were undervalued in these things and and you
and Takuon Barkley signed with New teams and obviously great success. Right,
do you take pride in the fact that you helped
prove hey, you might want to reevaluate that and the
(12:22):
importance of a running back.
Speaker 3 (12:24):
Yeah, it's and thinking about it is just so cool
because you know, you look back at that time and
you know, running backs were at the bottom of the
totem pole and it was kind of looking rocky for us.
And you know, we all came together and made that
that that group message on Instagram and you know, just
talking about different ideas what we can do to try
(12:45):
to help the market and bring the value back up
and getting on zoom calls and trying to trying to
have ideas of of what we need to do. And
I think we all we didn't say it, but I
think we all we knew it played better show your value,
go out there and show it on Sundays to get
the opportunity.
Speaker 2 (13:05):
And you know, Christian had a great year.
Speaker 3 (13:07):
That year went obviously they fell short in the Super Bowl,
we still had a great year. He get an extension,
which you know helped the market a little bit, and
then that motivated us, like guys like me, Saquan, Joe Mixon,
Josh Jacobs, uh Swift, still Swift, Tony Pollard al Kamara
(13:28):
got an extension during the season, David Guverny got an extension.
So I won't forget anybody, but you know, all these
running backs in the game are special. And you know
Saquan having the year he had and you know him
getting that big extension, it's just so cool to see
that come to fruition of us, you know, having a
vision of what we wanted that to look like and
(13:48):
then bringing that to life and hopefully give guys that
come behind us opportunity to have the same opportunity as well.
Speaker 1 (13:56):
What I think for you too, it's also like in
your thirties, right, so you're you're even a another take
it to another level because now you're showing, hey, you
know you can do this too. You They're not exactly you,
but if they work hard right and then they have
the success that you, then they can do that. Does
is there some pride with that also?
Speaker 2 (14:15):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (14:15):
Yeah, I mean, because you know the stigma once you
get to thirty, man, it's you know, they're ready to.
Speaker 2 (14:23):
Throw you to the wolves.
Speaker 3 (14:24):
But you know, I try not to focus too much
on the age and focus more on the work, and
you know, how can I get better and how can
I be better? And there's plenty of guys that have
been in the thirties and had some of their best
years you know, you know, even even better than their
their twenties. And you know, me just my focus, just
(14:46):
how can I be better than the year before and
what I need to work on to you better as well.
Speaker 1 (14:51):
I'm curious.
Speaker 4 (14:52):
You've talked a lot about Labar Jackson, and we all
see what you guys do on the field together. You've
talked about just the impact that it has, how it
opens things up for you on the field. But I
was always impressed and struck by the way that you
guys off the field seem to have this connection. You're
you're often talking in the locker room, on the practice field,
you guys always kind of seem to be side by side.
How has that connection been so important to you in
(15:12):
your time here?
Speaker 3 (15:14):
Yeah, man, he's the one that makes this thing go.
So you know, UH just wanted to to get to
know him and you know, you know, see what he
sees and understand him and you know how he sees
the game, and you know, get to know him better
as a person. You know from going against them all
these years, and you know, just like, let's please, let's
(15:36):
let's beat this guy. You know, he's dude is so tough.
And you see why he's so special by the way
he works every single day. And you know why he
gets the results year at the year, you know, because
he's the best player in the league. And you know,
you see it by how he works on his craft,
how intentional he is, the leadership he has, how he
(15:57):
holds everybody, everybody accountable and practice, and then it translates
to the game and you know, and another thing, we're
flow the boys, so.
Speaker 2 (16:08):
Naturally.
Speaker 4 (16:10):
Was there anything when you started playing the game with
him that surprised you with the way that he sees
things on the field, Like you would watch it from
a distance, we see the highlights and all that stuff,
but like when you're there in the backfield with him,
was there did it? Was there anything that was surprising
to you about the way he sees the game and
how that makes things go from from an offensive standpoint?
Speaker 2 (16:30):
Oh yes.
Speaker 3 (16:33):
The first time I was like, this dude is unbelievable
was a Bengals game. We play them in Cincinnati, and
you know, you know, no knocked anybody in Tennessee. But
like in Tennessee, if we get down by two scores,
you know it's it's pretty much tough. But anytime they score,
(16:53):
we're going around the bam bam. Anytime you thought the
players over, it wasn't. Just like the one where he
stiff arm broke step on them again, wrote the tackle
and through it to likely in the back of the end.
So I'm like, this dude is incredible, Like it's crazy,
and like we were just never out of the game.
Even when you know they were get up, they get comfortable,
we would come right back down the score and then
(17:15):
like even in being in the game, it's just like
you think he's down, he's not.
Speaker 2 (17:19):
You gotta stay moving because he's.
Speaker 3 (17:22):
Trying to create a play off off of a scramble
scrambling and you know, you just find the space and
getting open. So you know, it's it's never over with Lamar.
And you know, I think that's that's what makes him
so special. And once you understand that, then you know
you benefit from it as well.
Speaker 1 (17:39):
That's what that makes me think about. You know, when
you were on the Titans, the game plan always going
against the Titans was try to get up early so
they can't hand them all to Derek. If we could
take Derek Henry out of the game, we're gonna have
a much better chance of winning this game. But it's
not that case.
Speaker 2 (17:53):
No, we can't do that with him.
Speaker 3 (17:55):
It is it is never over and and even like
like like you said, with the Titans, you know, you
take me away and then you know you got a
good chance to win. But with him, I ain't even
played play that much that game. I was just on
the side of watching him. I'm just like, this, dude
is incredible, Like this is crazy.
Speaker 1 (18:13):
I'm interested in I think it was in one of
the Steelers games and our Ravens wired pick this up
and you thanked coach Taggart. You made a specific point
of saying, coach man, you helped me see that, you
helped me see that whole or whatnot. How has coach
Willie Taggert really helped you in your career?
Speaker 3 (18:32):
Yeah, just you know, just the details of of everything.
You know, I'm doing this offense, making sure that I
understand while I'm doing the things that I'm doing, not
just out there running place understanding you know why, you
know I need to take this footwork while the old
line's blocking this this way, while the Titans are going
(18:55):
up to to this defender and things like that. Not
just going out there and you're running, just just running plays,
and you know, you know, he definitely doesn't want to.
Speaker 2 (19:04):
Take your natural ability away, but you just want to make.
Speaker 3 (19:07):
You a better player by you know, being smarter and
intentional going out there and seeing what the defenses is
giving you. And on that specific play, you know it's
footwork I was doing. I was doing it too fast,
and he was like, maybe you stowed down a little bit,
let the defense to clear and let your line get
on the blocks. Then it'll it'll set the picture up
(19:29):
more clear. And when I tried it, I was just
it was hitting back and forth and I'm gonna give
too much information out, but yeah, man, just just that game,
everything was just just hitting for me. I just wanted
to thank him for you know, having the patience with me,
and you know, because it was only the whole season,
I still he's like, you listen to me.
Speaker 2 (19:50):
I'm telling you that I finally did it. It happened,
But it's great.
Speaker 1 (19:54):
Did last year work out even better than you thought
it was going to be when you first signed with
the Ravens.
Speaker 2 (19:59):
Oh yeah, for sure.
Speaker 3 (20:00):
The only thing that didn't work out we didnt get
a championship because I thought for sure that's what we
were doing.
Speaker 2 (20:04):
But hey, we get another shot at it. But yeah, yes,
for sure. Cool.
Speaker 4 (20:09):
My last one is we've seen the videos of you
run up the hill. Talk me through these hill workouts?
Is the stuff you've always done? What's what's the deal
with the hill workouts? Yeah?
Speaker 3 (20:17):
I saw the I heard the old stories of Walter
Payton and you know, Jerry Rice running the hills, and
you know, I'll talking to the guys I trained with.
I was like, man, let's let's find a good hell
and I think that started about twenty twenty and ever
since then, I've gotten great results from it. So I've
(20:38):
probably just off season, I probably ran them more than
I've had in any other season. I ran them a lot,
and I probably run probably about between fourteen and fifteen
sixteen sprints.
Speaker 2 (20:48):
Okay, going up the hill with chains and everything.
Speaker 3 (20:53):
It's a good workout, but it's worked for me, so
that's why I've been I've been sticking with it, and
a lot of guys always hit me up like where
is it.
Speaker 1 (21:00):
Hell, I'm gonna say legend.
Speaker 4 (21:03):
Yeah, is there a crowd that that grows here is
you're out there running these hills?
Speaker 3 (21:06):
Yeah, I mean because people always ask like where are
you running hills in front of people's houses? Like what
if somebody looks out outsaw that women to be like
here running hills and it's actually a school right there.
So I mean, I've had kids come over and people
actually come down and come talk to us, and people
ride buying cars they say something, and you know, hopefully
(21:30):
I'm just expire everybody else to run hills. But I
love I think it's it's a good workout. And yeah,
like I said, I've been doing this to twenty twenty.
Speaker 1 (21:39):
I'll run a hill, but I refuse the change. I'm
not doing it with change, tough change.
Speaker 3 (21:43):
I had a lot running and just just running up
the hill. Is I probably do more of those and
I do with the change and change out. I do
about three or three of those and I'm done.
Speaker 1 (21:53):
I take change.
Speaker 2 (21:54):
They're heavy, especially when you get up to the middle
and trying to get up get up to the top
of the hill. Oh, I look back down like I
don't know I'm gonna get back up here.
Speaker 1 (22:03):
Again, I'm curious when you're working out, you know, you're training,
you're running that hill. I'm just curious, like what's going
through your head? Are you thinking super Bowl, super Bowl?
I'm doing this because I want to win the super Bowl,
and or are you thinking like linebacker, I'm gonna run
through that linebacker, you know what I mean? Like what
motivates you when you're in the depths of training, what's
(22:25):
going through your mind?
Speaker 3 (22:26):
Yeah, you hit on the first one super Bowl, and
then I think about some of the runs that I
didn't turn into touchdowns, that I got tackled or I
could have done better. I just think about those every
time I'm running hills, Like, next time that play needs
to be a touchdown. Next time, this run needs to
be a touchdown. Then super Bowl, super Bowl, super Bowl,
(22:46):
more super Bowl than anything.
Speaker 2 (22:48):
Yeah, for sure.
Speaker 1 (22:49):
Right, you're a tough critic on yourself.
Speaker 2 (22:51):
I am.
Speaker 3 (22:51):
I love early ye yes, yes, case Saban, like when
I was in when I was at Alabama my freshman
year here just like you gotta you want to be
a perfectionist, but you know, and he was like, I
respect that, but it's not going to be perfect.
Speaker 2 (23:06):
You know. You know.
Speaker 3 (23:07):
He was like, I'm kind of the same way, but
you know you don't want to be too hard on
yourself that you get in your own way. That's just
how I am, and you know that's that's the way
God made. I'm just very critical of myself, and I'm
my worst critic.
Speaker 1 (23:21):
Last last question for me is you know you said
earlier this offseason that you want to retire as a Raven,
finish your career here in Baltimore. This puts you closer
to that. But I noticed that you didn't. You didn't say, nah,
this is going to be my last contract, which makes
me happy because hey, we might even get some more
past twenty twenty seven with Derek Hand. Yeah exactly. Do
you feel like, hey, man, twenty twenty seven, Sure, that's
(23:44):
that's the length of this. But I could play for
a little while longer even Yeah, I'm not putting on
timetable on what I want to be done playing. I
think when you know you feel like you've done enough
and you know you gave the game you're all, then
you know you it's time to hang it up.
Speaker 2 (24:06):
But I ain't thought about that. I ain't thinking about it.
Speaker 3 (24:11):
You've got super Bowls, to get to Yeah, exactly, I'm serious.
Speaker 1 (24:14):
Now.
Speaker 2 (24:14):
I want to win.
Speaker 3 (24:15):
I think we can win one here, and that's what
I want to do. I am confident and that's what
I am focused on, and I'm going to emphasize that,
you know when I get a chance to talk to
the team, because.
Speaker 2 (24:24):
I want to win. I want to win it and
I think we can win it here. We will win
it here. I love it. I love it.
Speaker 1 (24:29):
Can't wait to see it. Man. All right, Well, thank
you for joining us. Thanks, thank you.
Speaker 4 (24:33):
I appreciate it. Welcome back into the Lounge podcast. We're
coming to you from the Sea Geek Studio. We also
want to mention our partners at Draft King Sportsbook. They're
an official sports betting partner of the Baltimore Ravens Draft
King Sportsbook. The Crown is yours. Big thanks to Derek
Henry for joining us. He's a great, great player, great guy,
and UH just really enjoyed the conversation with him. I
(24:54):
thought it was you can tell what's on his mind.
He's got one thing that he is focused on, and
that's he's putting a ring Super Bowl ring on.
Speaker 1 (25:02):
The size up contract extension.
Speaker 4 (25:04):
He's looking to get that Super Bowl ring.
Speaker 1 (25:05):
Yep, yep, exactly, And hey man, there's like nobody that's
just more locked into their craft and like passionate about
I think what's cool about him is that it's not
just I want to win a Super Bowl, It's like,
what do I need to do to get to that
point to win Super Bowl? Like it's it's not the
work is there he's putting in. He's laying the foundation
(25:26):
to get there and uh, and he's extremely passionate about
doing so. And that's part of why he's such a
great leader on this team. Honestly, you know when he
when he stepped in here and he talked about earning
his teammates trust and earning that, you know, in which
he did. He didn't come in here all brash and
loud and I'm hey, I'm Derek Henry. Everybody knows me
and what I've accomplished in this league. Like he came
(25:46):
in and he earned it, but he earned it fast
because guys see the way that he works and the
way he attacks that weight room, and he motivates other
guys to get after it and work that way too.
And they see how his regiment and eating kale for
breakfast and stuff like that, and they're like, man, this
dude's about it, Like, yeah, just a professional in every
sense of the word.
Speaker 4 (26:06):
I remember last year it was their ota is are
Early in training camp there was a practice where I mean,
I don't think anybody watching it, like to the naked eye,
it was like it was a bad practice in Derrick Henry,
but he felt like he did some things wrong in practice,
whatever those details were, he went the wrong direction whatever,
I don't know, Yeah, and like he was ticked about it,
and like that's why I reference to him, like you
(26:26):
are a tough critic on yourself. And I think that
like that attention to detail and like practices in May
and June, I think that rubs off on everybody, Like
this guy who if anybody in the building had the
ability to slack off, it's him because he's because of
the resume and all that he's done.
Speaker 1 (26:44):
But he's the last to slack off.
Speaker 4 (26:46):
And I think that that really does set the tone
for everybody else, especially on the offensive side.
Speaker 1 (26:52):
It's also interesting talking to him in the off season
versus during the season. He's in a different mode. Yeah,
in season, Derrick Henry is in a different mode, like
he is locked in and.
Speaker 4 (27:02):
Just yeah, him and Mark Andrews remind me of each
other and that way where it's like you go into
the season mode and the switch like flips for like
six months. Like they just they're in that. They're they're regimented.
They're so detail oriented, and they are serious. They're serious
about their business.
Speaker 2 (27:17):
Yep.
Speaker 1 (27:17):
Yeah, absolutely so really excited to have Derrick Henry here
for a few more years. And we're excited about these emails.
A lot of emails coming in, been flowing into the inbox.
As always, you can reach us at the lounge at
Ravens dot NFL dot net. And of course emails about
the travel draft.
Speaker 4 (27:33):
Right, a lot of emails about the travel Draft.
Speaker 1 (27:35):
There's a couple. There's a couple one from John Stremmel,
and he says, I think this was the closest you
start with us, you guys have done so far. Usually
there's a clear winner, but this year not. But you
both made some good choices like the Bills and Dolphins,
and some weaker choices like both preseason games and both
Ohio games. So he says he noticed something about my list.
(27:58):
The stadiums are his store, and the teams have the
most diehard fan bases, with the exception of the Chiefs
going to Garrett. So if you're basing the list on
football culture, Ryan won, maybe I should stop reading there.
Speaker 4 (28:11):
Yeah, keep going.
Speaker 1 (28:13):
However, Garrett's list has more opponent star power, Mahomes, Flacco,
Baby Shdoor Burrow, and comfortable weather Coo Boy. He says
he agrees with Mattie Ice that Ryan is great at
gas lighting and arguing his case, but I think the
edge goes to Garrett.
Speaker 4 (28:33):
I want to read another email here. This one comes
to us from Barth Pobe and he says, it's been
a while since I wrote to you guys, but I've
never missed a podcast. To Barth, we appreciate that I
have definitely read some of his emails over the years.
He had a whole system that he built to try
to assess who won the travel draft.
Speaker 1 (28:48):
Analytics is the age of analytics right now.
Speaker 4 (28:51):
I won't go into all the details, but he had
a system in place, and the longest short of it
is this, Garrett won the NFL schedule draft.
Speaker 1 (28:57):
That's the main point that he makes here.
Speaker 4 (29:00):
Go through the numbers that he really spells out, but
for the sake of time and brevity here.
Speaker 1 (29:04):
We won't do that. We'll just cut straight to the chase.
Speaker 4 (29:06):
I won the travel draft, and he says, also, Ryan,
thank you for predicting the Ravens going undefeated. That's how
I feel. You speak positively and it will come to pass.
Speaker 1 (29:15):
So that's what undefeated was. Worst case scenarioto in our
Dubs game, worst case seventeen. That's conservative, right, Yeah, it's conservative.
Speaker 2 (29:22):
Yeah, all right.
Speaker 1 (29:23):
Next email comes from Christopher George from Aberdeen, Scotland. Yes,
says Matt. First of all, this is great. Matt was
a terrible judge. Yeah, you gotta go back.
Speaker 4 (29:31):
This is our This was the draft. We did this draft,
by the way, Yeah, right after the schedules announced. It
was right after the schedules announced. We decide which road
games you want to go to, and we had Matt Ryan,
our editorial intern for the year, serve as a judge
just to.
Speaker 1 (29:44):
Provide the context there. Terrible judge, according to Christopher George,
I'm not gonna say it. I would never dog my
guy Matt like that, but people have spoken. Christopher says,
Minks started strong, but blew it in the later rounds.
Round one was a toss up. He says he likes
the sun from Miami for in the Taurus, but football
and Lambeau tips it slightly for me. Round two Bills
over Chiefs every day, just for likability of the opponent.
(30:07):
Around three Vikings with the obvious pick. But I think
Steelers was a reasonable pick as a gamble on if
the Ravens haven't closed out the division by them, big
if though, And then he said after that, who in
their right mind is picking a preseason game over AFC
North Football? See now this is where I agree. You know,
you have to you have to grade yourself.
Speaker 4 (30:29):
Yeah, and you gave yourself a failing grade, which is fair.
Speaker 1 (30:32):
I blew it on that pick. Okay, I have I
I would if I could turn back the clock, I
would definitely pick the Bengals game over preseason I honestly
just I was trying to like kind of have a
well rounded draft. I should have just leaned into the
football guy, go for the you know, the best games.
Cold weather who cares like I'm gonna be at the
(30:52):
best games, of which Ravens at Bengals is certainly one
of them. But I was like trying to balance out
my Lambeau cold weather games with a son in Dallas.
It was a bad decision. I should just leaned into it. Yeah,
you get to stick to the board and stick to
your strate.
Speaker 4 (31:05):
And he couldn't decide which way you were advocating. Am
I advocating?
Speaker 1 (31:08):
Head? Yeah? You know, I just love that I'm into
it when I screw up, I love that.
Speaker 4 (31:12):
It was a miss. It was a miss. So we
appreciate those emails like, whaa, we have one more. We
do have one more, but the travel draft emailsh yeah,
it's a clear victory. Okay, victory has been declared. Okah,
you waved the white flag. Thank you very much. And
our last email, this one comes up from Keaton. Keaton says,
I'm twelve years old and I love the podcast, So
we appreciate it. Keaton, thank you for listening. Do you
(31:32):
think Lejonte Wester will play pump returner or kick returner
or will another wide receiver win the job? So obviously
six round pick out of Colorado. Yeah, what's your take.
Speaker 1 (31:43):
I think that he's going to be the Ravens punt
returner this year, and they were certainly looking for somebody
to fill in that role after it was kind of
a revolving door at the end of last season with
some ball security issues and whatnot. You know, the Ravens
have some depth there. I think Tyler Wallace will be
in the mix and there will be other guys that
could fill in there. But for me, Lejontre wester Is
is the leading candidate going into the summer. Explosive joystick
(32:07):
kind of stop change direction moves was a really good
returner in Colorado and the Ravens are looking to really
upgrade there. That was one area that was kind of
a weakness last season was their punt return and they
went into the off season with the intention of finding one,
just like they signed Deontay Hardy last offseason. They wanted
to make an addition there and invest at returner, and
(32:29):
it just didn't pan out due to injuries and whatnot
with Deontay. But I think that Lejonte will.
Speaker 4 (32:35):
Yeah on kick returner. I do think Western could factor
in there.
Speaker 1 (32:39):
But I think less likely. I think punt returner for sure.
I think kick returner is more likely to be a
running back.
Speaker 4 (32:44):
I think Mitchell Keaton asked the question twelve year old Kekaton.
I think that you know, twenty three year old Keaton
could end up beating the Ravens punt returner kick returner.
Sorry in Keaton Mitchell. I think that that's really an area.
Like I like him as a kick returner. He's not
the explosive speed, his opportunities on offense are limited because
of Derek Henry and Justice Hill and so, but you
(33:05):
want to find ways to get him the ball in
his hands. I think kick returner is a natural place
to do that.
Speaker 1 (33:10):
I agree, And then he's active on your game day
roster still, so if you can get them three to
five touches offensively and have him there as a backup, like,
I want Keaton Mitchell on the field. Yeah, I want
him getting this opportunity. So I agree with you. I
think he'd probably be my leading candidate for kick returner.
Speaker 2 (33:26):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (33:26):
So, as always, you can email us at the lounge
at Ravens dot NFL dot net. We appreciate the questions
there and as always keep those questions coming. By sure
you subscribe to the podcast, Please leave a rating and
a review, and we will be back with you again
soon
Welcome into the lounge presented by DraftKings. I'm Ryan in
here at Garrett Downing and we are thrilled to sit
down with running back Derrick Henry, fresh off signing a
two year contract extension. Congratulations, Appreciate that.
Speaker 2 (00:16):
Appreciate that It's.
Speaker 1 (00:16):
Been one heck of a day for you to get here,
flight delayed and all that, arrive early in the morning
and then get a workout in on thirty minutes of sleep.
I feel like there, it's the quintessential Derrick Henry experience.
Nobody works harder on this guy. Half an hour and
a workout in the morning.
Speaker 2 (00:32):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (00:33):
Well, I just you know, I got in like three am,
waid on my bags, which probably till like thirty forty minutes,
and I got thirty minute drive home, so by the
time I got home it was like four forty five.
I want to give here around like six fifteen, six thirty.
And once I got home, I was just up. I
ain't go to sleep, so I stayed up, and then
(00:54):
when I got close to six o'clock, I was just like, man,
I'm just gonna go brush my teeth and mynt clothes
on the head to the facility. When I got here,
I asked Scott's like, can I work out? He's like sure,
Like cool, I got to sign right after it, so
I want to knock a workout out.
Speaker 2 (01:07):
And it all worked out. I haven't got no sleep yet,
but I'm still functioning.
Speaker 1 (01:12):
I heard they came to you and they're like, all right,
we got to take the physical and all that stuff.
And they're like, yeah, we already got that done. Yeah,
why did you want to get here so early? Like,
I'm still in bed, I'm still sleeping at six o'clock.
You're like, my day is starting that early? What what
is it about you and your work ethic that just
makes you work that hard that early?
Speaker 2 (01:34):
You know? Yeah, I don't know.
Speaker 3 (01:37):
When I got to When I got to the house,
I was just thinking about working out, and then I
tried to doze off a little bit. I was like,
I can't sleep, so I stayed up. I watched Netflix
for a little bit, and that's time I was like,
I'm just gonna going to the facility and get to
work out in And my daughter's birthday was yesterday, so
I usually get a workout on Sunday morning. Didn't do that,
(01:59):
so I was like, I need to work out. I
came up here early and got it doing.
Speaker 1 (02:02):
That's great.
Speaker 4 (02:03):
How is it when you walk into the weight room
and you get a chance to see these guys the
weight room coaches, teammates that like, you know, you haven't
seen it a little bit and it's good to just
be with them. Is it a little bit of a
just a little bit of a welcome back kind of moment.
Speaker 2 (02:17):
Yeah, yeah, it definitely is.
Speaker 3 (02:18):
You know, kind of get that that that feeling football
is coming back. So you know, it's always good to
see everybody and and get things rolling, you know, even
though they try to kill me, but.
Speaker 4 (02:30):
Even only here today, it should be like the light workout.
I feel like you slept for thirty minutes. It's your
contract signing. It wasn't the light workout, not at all.
Speaker 2 (02:37):
I was sweating. Oh like, good lord, I think rethink everything?
Should I should? I went to sleep and.
Speaker 4 (02:46):
Yeah, well look, you know you sign your contract today.
Obviously it's an exciting news for you to get this extension.
What does it mean for you to come here? You
play here one season, had a great first season of
baltim More, and then the team and you work out
this extension to keep you here for two more years?
Speaker 1 (03:05):
Uh, you know, three more to total.
Speaker 4 (03:07):
Just what does that mean to you?
Speaker 2 (03:08):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (03:09):
It means a lot because I value this organization and
I'm very thankful that they value me, and you know,
very thingful that we were both able to.
Speaker 2 (03:20):
Get something done.
Speaker 3 (03:21):
And you know, I want to win a championship here
and that's why I came here, and that's always going
to be the goal. And hopefully for us all said
and done, that we do that, and I and I
have pride and have a look at that we will.
Speaker 1 (03:34):
Was that part of the calculation for you and why
you wanted to get an extension done so much? Was, hey,
we're so close. This obviously worked out really well in
year one and and I want to be a part
of that getting us over the hump.
Speaker 3 (03:46):
Yes, I want to win. I want to win a
super Bowl. That's why I came here to win a
super Bowl. I feel like we have everything we need
to do that. It's just that we got to do it.
And I definitely want to get this done so you know,
I can have more years to be able to help
them accomplish that. And you know, I'm excited for this
season and that's the focus.
Speaker 1 (04:05):
When the season ended, were you immediately thinking, you know,
I know, reporters asked Eric the Costa there, like, how
about the possibility of a contract extension for Derrick Henry?
Is is that likely? And you said, well, I have
his picture hanging up in my office. I should tell
you how I feel about Derek. Did you know, like
as soon as the season ended or how soon did
(04:25):
you know? All right, you know what, I want to
work on an extension as well?
Speaker 3 (04:30):
Yeah, I mean I didn't know when it was gonna
come about. I saw when he when he said that,
and I was hopeful that we'll be able to be
able to work on something. And that's time we don't
We got into that, We got into that focus, and
you know, it came to a reality and I'm very thankful.
(04:52):
And you know, even after the season, all I can
think about, dang. We know we came up short, and
you know, you you don't get over it. You just
learn how to deal with it. And you know, definitely
feel to go into this next one.
Speaker 4 (05:07):
Are you a guy that uses like a previous season
as motivation moving forward?
Speaker 2 (05:11):
Oh yeah, definitely definitely for sure.
Speaker 3 (05:15):
Just how last season ended, you know, we were right
there and you know, you just come up so short
and just had so many high standards and expectations, you know,
for that year, and you know, and like I said,
we fell short. So just more motivation and we are
more fuel than it was last year to get the
(05:37):
job done.
Speaker 4 (05:38):
You you talked about like wanting to win this championship
and this team, the core is intact. I mean, you
guys are bringing back especially on offense. There's like really
no changes for the most part. Was that part of
it too, that you're like, hey, this is the team
is in place, the pieces are in place, the window
is open, and like this is the time.
Speaker 3 (05:56):
Yes, I think you said it perfect, That's exactly That's
exactly how I feel about it. And I feel like,
you know, we have everything we need to go do it.
We just got to do it, you know. And I think,
you know, you just put the work in now and
put emphasis on it, hold each other accountable, push each
other every single day on all three faces of the
(06:18):
ball to be able.
Speaker 2 (06:19):
To go do it.
Speaker 3 (06:20):
And I think as long as we do that each
and every day, then we give ourselves a chance. But
you know, I think we have everything we need from
top to bottom to do it.
Speaker 2 (06:28):
We just got to do it.
Speaker 1 (06:29):
You're coming off a season and career high in yards
per carry. Yes, And I know people ask me and
Garrett too, just how does you know you were around
Derek Henry? How does this guy do it? Like? This
guy is still so productive fantasy football owners, this guy's
still producing for my fantasy team, right, And I'm like, look,
if you met Derek, a rare person the work ethic
and rare athlete obviously, and like, I just feel like
(06:51):
you're the exception to the rule, right that has been
with it in your mind, Like do you feel like
you're still even ascending in your career and and how
do you keep producing at this high level?
Speaker 3 (07:06):
Yeah, I mean I think I'm I still feel like
I can do even better and you know it. You
know it helps having Lamar Jackson besides as well, So
you know I'll take that, take.
Speaker 2 (07:19):
That any day.
Speaker 3 (07:20):
And you know, these guys are just hungry, you know,
Lamar is hungry receivers tight ends.
Speaker 2 (07:27):
That's why we have a good core group.
Speaker 3 (07:29):
And in the old line who did an outstanding job
you know for me to have the success I had. So,
you know, I think just the core on on offense
and you know, the talent that we have. You know,
it just gives everybody opportunity to make plays and have success,
(07:50):
and that that's what makes it. It's so fun and
a lot of young guys that that make me feel
young as well.
Speaker 1 (07:56):
So I asked coach Taggart this question. But I want
to ask you. You know, it's not easy when you're
with one team for so long and you switch teams.
You know in the latter part of your career, it
doesn't always work out. It obviously worked out really well
for you. Why do you feel like it's been such
a great fit between you and the Ravens.
Speaker 2 (08:17):
Yeah.
Speaker 3 (08:17):
I just think whenever I got an opportunity last year,
I just believe. I just knew it was gonna work,
and I was gonna make it work. And you know,
I was just motivated to help this team and do
my job the best way I can, you know, because
the Baby has been a top organization, you know, playoff team,
(08:40):
super Bowl teams way before I got here, and I
just wanted to earn their respect and come here and
be an adding.
Speaker 2 (08:47):
Piece to what they already had. They've already been special.
Speaker 3 (08:50):
I mean Lamar and their car offense, and everything they've
done rushing yards, I mean the whole Now, they've already
been special. But you know what can I do to
help them them? And you know, add a piece, you know,
to the offense to get us where we want to go.
And like I said before, also we came up short,
but the goal is still to get to the championship
(09:10):
and winning.
Speaker 4 (09:12):
The way you answer that question reminded me of when
you signed your contract last year, because you kept making
the point that I want to earn the respect of
my teammates. And I don't think it took very long
for you to accomplish that once you came in here.
I think you clearly earned the respect with the way
that you practice, who you approach the game. Not to
even mention, like the resume that you came in here with,
How important was that to you to come in here
like you have all this success in your career, but
(09:35):
the way that you approach things is like this humble mindset.
But to earn that respect of your of your new
teamates once you arrived.
Speaker 3 (09:41):
Yeah yeah, I think I think it was playing against
these guys. I mean, I mean every time we.
Speaker 2 (09:48):
Played the Ravens battles throughout the years.
Speaker 3 (09:50):
Yeah, I mean the Titans, the technic technic tan strap
extraly tighter and be ready for a four quarter battle.
So I knew coming in like these these guys work hard.
You know they have a strong brotherhood, and you know
the Ravens are a top organization, and you know, I
want to come in and show them I don't have
all the answers, no matter what my resume says or
(10:12):
the accolades I have. I'm coming here to work. I'm
a new guy on the block, and I want to
earn the respect and let them know that I'm coming
here to work to help make everybody else better and
myself better, to help this team.
Speaker 4 (10:26):
There's a lot that's made about like your longevity and
and the way I look at it, which we were
just talking about it, like it's not hard to see
why you've been so Like the longevity has been there
because of the way you work. But it's hard to
do that, Like it's just hard to do the work
and have the routine and be as regimented as you are.
How are you able to maintain that like that, that
(10:46):
level of work ethic and drive the discipline the discipline
we have at.
Speaker 2 (10:54):
Nothing but I have cheat days. I don't know, man,
I just you know, I love this game.
Speaker 1 (11:05):
I love.
Speaker 3 (11:08):
Competing each and every day getting better, uh, trying to
be the best, trying to be great as a kid.
You know, I always you know, watch the great ones
and anything I can take from anybody that you know,
helped them and help them be better and the results
it was, it was all proven.
Speaker 2 (11:27):
I always always try to do.
Speaker 3 (11:28):
That, and I'm responged to any knowledge from anybody that's
older than me, younger than me, you know, I always
try to take in accountability of you know, how can
it how can it help me get better? And and
that's just my focus.
Speaker 2 (11:42):
Man. I love getting better. I love working out.
Speaker 3 (11:45):
I love, you know, focus on trying to be the
best in my position and helping the ones that's even
even younger than me, and just trying to be inspiration
to kids and anybody that's trying to do great in life.
Speaker 1 (12:00):
You talk about being an inspiration, I think you also
inspired other running backs around the league, right, And there's
a big narrative the past couple of years about hey,
running backs were undervalued in these things and and you
and Takuon Barkley signed with New teams and obviously great success. Right,
do you take pride in the fact that you helped
prove hey, you might want to reevaluate that and the
(12:22):
importance of a running back.
Speaker 3 (12:24):
Yeah, it's and thinking about it is just so cool
because you know, you look back at that time and
you know, running backs were at the bottom of the
totem pole and it was kind of looking rocky for us.
And you know, we all came together and made that
that that group message on Instagram and you know, just
talking about different ideas what we can do to try
(12:45):
to help the market and bring the value back up
and getting on zoom calls and trying to trying to
have ideas of of what we need to do. And
I think we all we didn't say it, but I
think we all we knew it played better show your value,
go out there and show it on Sundays to get
the opportunity.
Speaker 2 (13:05):
And you know, Christian had a great year.
Speaker 3 (13:07):
That year went obviously they fell short in the Super Bowl,
we still had a great year. He get an extension,
which you know helped the market a little bit, and
then that motivated us, like guys like me, Saquan, Joe Mixon,
Josh Jacobs, uh Swift, still Swift, Tony Pollard al Kamara
(13:28):
got an extension during the season, David Guverny got an extension.
So I won't forget anybody, but you know, all these
running backs in the game are special. And you know
Saquan having the year he had and you know him
getting that big extension, it's just so cool to see
that come to fruition of us, you know, having a
vision of what we wanted that to look like and
(13:48):
then bringing that to life and hopefully give guys that
come behind us opportunity to have the same opportunity as well.
Speaker 1 (13:56):
What I think for you too, it's also like in
your thirties, right, so you're you're even a another take
it to another level because now you're showing, hey, you
know you can do this too. You They're not exactly you,
but if they work hard right and then they have
the success that you, then they can do that. Does
is there some pride with that also?
Speaker 2 (14:15):
Yeah?
Speaker 3 (14:15):
Yeah, I mean, because you know the stigma once you
get to thirty, man, it's you know, they're ready to.
Speaker 2 (14:23):
Throw you to the wolves.
Speaker 3 (14:24):
But you know, I try not to focus too much
on the age and focus more on the work, and
you know, how can I get better and how can
I be better? And there's plenty of guys that have
been in the thirties and had some of their best
years you know, you know, even even better than their
their twenties. And you know, me just my focus, just
(14:46):
how can I be better than the year before and
what I need to work on to you better as well.
Speaker 1 (14:51):
I'm curious.
Speaker 4 (14:52):
You've talked a lot about Labar Jackson, and we all
see what you guys do on the field together. You've
talked about just the impact that it has, how it
opens things up for you on the field. But I
was always impressed and struck by the way that you
guys off the field seem to have this connection. You're
you're often talking in the locker room, on the practice field,
you guys always kind of seem to be side by side.
How has that connection been so important to you in
(15:12):
your time here?
Speaker 3 (15:14):
Yeah, man, he's the one that makes this thing go.
So you know, UH just wanted to to get to
know him and you know, you know, see what he
sees and understand him and you know how he sees
the game, and you know, get to know him better
as a person. You know from going against them all
these years, and you know, just like, let's please, let's
(15:36):
let's beat this guy. You know, he's dude is so tough.
And you see why he's so special by the way
he works every single day. And you know why he
gets the results year at the year, you know, because
he's the best player in the league. And you know,
you see it by how he works on his craft,
how intentional he is, the leadership he has, how he
(15:57):
holds everybody, everybody accountable and practice, and then it translates
to the game and you know, and another thing, we're
flow the boys, so.
Speaker 2 (16:08):
Naturally.
Speaker 4 (16:10):
Was there anything when you started playing the game with
him that surprised you with the way that he sees
things on the field, Like you would watch it from
a distance, we see the highlights and all that stuff,
but like when you're there in the backfield with him,
was there did it? Was there anything that was surprising
to you about the way he sees the game and
how that makes things go from from an offensive standpoint?
Speaker 2 (16:30):
Oh yes.
Speaker 3 (16:33):
The first time I was like, this dude is unbelievable
was a Bengals game. We play them in Cincinnati, and
you know, you know, no knocked anybody in Tennessee. But
like in Tennessee, if we get down by two scores,
you know it's it's pretty much tough. But anytime they score,
(16:53):
we're going around the bam bam. Anytime you thought the
players over, it wasn't. Just like the one where he
stiff arm broke step on them again, wrote the tackle
and through it to likely in the back of the end.
So I'm like, this dude is incredible, Like it's crazy,
and like we were just never out of the game.
Even when you know they were get up, they get comfortable,
we would come right back down the score and then
(17:15):
like even in being in the game, it's just like
you think he's down, he's not.
Speaker 2 (17:19):
You gotta stay moving because he's.
Speaker 3 (17:22):
Trying to create a play off off of a scramble
scrambling and you know, you just find the space and
getting open. So you know, it's it's never over with Lamar.
And you know, I think that's that's what makes him
so special. And once you understand that, then you know
you benefit from it as well.
Speaker 1 (17:39):
That's what that makes me think about. You know, when
you were on the Titans, the game plan always going
against the Titans was try to get up early so
they can't hand them all to Derek. If we could
take Derek Henry out of the game, we're gonna have
a much better chance of winning this game. But it's
not that case.
Speaker 2 (17:53):
No, we can't do that with him.
Speaker 3 (17:55):
It is it is never over and and even like
like like you said, with the Titans, you know, you
take me away and then you know you got a
good chance to win. But with him, I ain't even
played play that much that game. I was just on
the side of watching him. I'm just like, this, dude
is incredible, Like this is crazy.
Speaker 1 (18:13):
I'm interested in I think it was in one of
the Steelers games and our Ravens wired pick this up
and you thanked coach Taggart. You made a specific point
of saying, coach man, you helped me see that, you
helped me see that whole or whatnot. How has coach
Willie Taggert really helped you in your career?
Speaker 3 (18:32):
Yeah, just you know, just the details of of everything.
You know, I'm doing this offense, making sure that I
understand while I'm doing the things that I'm doing, not
just out there running place understanding you know why, you
know I need to take this footwork while the old
line's blocking this this way, while the Titans are going
(18:55):
up to to this defender and things like that. Not
just going out there and you're running, just just running plays,
and you know, you know, he definitely doesn't want to.
Speaker 2 (19:04):
Take your natural ability away, but you just want to make.
Speaker 3 (19:07):
You a better player by you know, being smarter and
intentional going out there and seeing what the defenses is
giving you. And on that specific play, you know it's
footwork I was doing. I was doing it too fast,
and he was like, maybe you stowed down a little bit,
let the defense to clear and let your line get
on the blocks. Then it'll it'll set the picture up
(19:29):
more clear. And when I tried it, I was just
it was hitting back and forth and I'm gonna give
too much information out, but yeah, man, just just that game,
everything was just just hitting for me. I just wanted
to thank him for you know, having the patience with me,
and you know, because it was only the whole season,
I still he's like, you listen to me.
Speaker 2 (19:50):
I'm telling you that I finally did it. It happened,
But it's great.
Speaker 1 (19:54):
Did last year work out even better than you thought
it was going to be when you first signed with
the Ravens.
Speaker 2 (19:59):
Oh yeah, for sure.
Speaker 3 (20:00):
The only thing that didn't work out we didnt get
a championship because I thought for sure that's what we
were doing.
Speaker 2 (20:04):
But hey, we get another shot at it. But yeah, yes,
for sure. Cool.
Speaker 4 (20:09):
My last one is we've seen the videos of you
run up the hill. Talk me through these hill workouts?
Is the stuff you've always done? What's what's the deal
with the hill workouts? Yeah?
Speaker 3 (20:17):
I saw the I heard the old stories of Walter
Payton and you know, Jerry Rice running the hills, and
you know, I'll talking to the guys I trained with.
I was like, man, let's let's find a good hell
and I think that started about twenty twenty and ever
since then, I've gotten great results from it. So I've
(20:38):
probably just off season, I probably ran them more than
I've had in any other season. I ran them a lot,
and I probably run probably about between fourteen and fifteen
sixteen sprints.
Speaker 2 (20:48):
Okay, going up the hill with chains and everything.
Speaker 3 (20:53):
It's a good workout, but it's worked for me, so
that's why I've been I've been sticking with it, and
a lot of guys always hit me up like where
is it.
Speaker 1 (21:00):
Hell, I'm gonna say legend.
Speaker 4 (21:03):
Yeah, is there a crowd that that grows here is
you're out there running these hills?
Speaker 3 (21:06):
Yeah, I mean because people always ask like where are
you running hills in front of people's houses? Like what
if somebody looks out outsaw that women to be like
here running hills and it's actually a school right there.
So I mean, I've had kids come over and people
actually come down and come talk to us, and people
ride buying cars they say something, and you know, hopefully
(21:30):
I'm just expire everybody else to run hills. But I
love I think it's it's a good workout. And yeah,
like I said, I've been doing this to twenty twenty.
Speaker 1 (21:39):
I'll run a hill, but I refuse the change. I'm
not doing it with change, tough change.
Speaker 3 (21:43):
I had a lot running and just just running up
the hill. Is I probably do more of those and
I do with the change and change out. I do
about three or three of those and I'm done.
Speaker 1 (21:53):
I take change.
Speaker 2 (21:54):
They're heavy, especially when you get up to the middle
and trying to get up get up to the top
of the hill. Oh, I look back down like I
don't know I'm gonna get back up here.
Speaker 1 (22:03):
Again, I'm curious when you're working out, you know, you're training,
you're running that hill. I'm just curious, like what's going
through your head? Are you thinking super Bowl, super Bowl?
I'm doing this because I want to win the super Bowl,
and or are you thinking like linebacker, I'm gonna run
through that linebacker, you know what I mean? Like what
motivates you when you're in the depths of training, what's
(22:25):
going through your mind?
Speaker 3 (22:26):
Yeah, you hit on the first one super Bowl, and
then I think about some of the runs that I
didn't turn into touchdowns, that I got tackled or I
could have done better. I just think about those every
time I'm running hills, Like, next time that play needs
to be a touchdown. Next time, this run needs to
be a touchdown. Then super Bowl, super Bowl, super Bowl,
(22:46):
more super Bowl than anything.
Speaker 2 (22:48):
Yeah, for sure.
Speaker 1 (22:49):
Right, you're a tough critic on yourself.
Speaker 2 (22:51):
I am.
Speaker 3 (22:51):
I love early ye yes, yes, case Saban, like when
I was in when I was at Alabama my freshman
year here just like you gotta you want to be
a perfectionist, but you know, and he was like, I
respect that, but it's not going to be perfect.
Speaker 2 (23:06):
You know. You know.
Speaker 3 (23:07):
He was like, I'm kind of the same way, but
you know you don't want to be too hard on
yourself that you get in your own way. That's just
how I am, and you know that's that's the way
God made. I'm just very critical of myself, and I'm
my worst critic.
Speaker 1 (23:21):
Last last question for me is you know you said
earlier this offseason that you want to retire as a Raven,
finish your career here in Baltimore. This puts you closer
to that. But I noticed that you didn't. You didn't say, nah,
this is going to be my last contract, which makes
me happy because hey, we might even get some more
past twenty twenty seven with Derek Hand. Yeah exactly. Do
you feel like, hey, man, twenty twenty seven, Sure, that's
(23:44):
that's the length of this. But I could play for
a little while longer even Yeah, I'm not putting on
timetable on what I want to be done playing. I
think when you know you feel like you've done enough
and you know you gave the game you're all, then
you know you it's time to hang it up.
Speaker 2 (24:06):
But I ain't thought about that. I ain't thinking about it.
Speaker 3 (24:11):
You've got super Bowls, to get to Yeah, exactly, I'm serious.
Speaker 1 (24:14):
Now.
Speaker 2 (24:14):
I want to win.
Speaker 3 (24:15):
I think we can win one here, and that's what
I want to do. I am confident and that's what
I am focused on, and I'm going to emphasize that,
you know when I get a chance to talk to
the team, because.
Speaker 2 (24:24):
I want to win. I want to win it and
I think we can win it here. We will win
it here. I love it. I love it.
Speaker 1 (24:29):
Can't wait to see it. Man. All right, Well, thank
you for joining us. Thanks, thank you.
Speaker 4 (24:33):
I appreciate it. Welcome back into the Lounge podcast. We're
coming to you from the Sea Geek Studio. We also
want to mention our partners at Draft King Sportsbook. They're
an official sports betting partner of the Baltimore Ravens Draft
King Sportsbook. The Crown is yours. Big thanks to Derek
Henry for joining us. He's a great, great player, great guy,
and UH just really enjoyed the conversation with him. I
(24:54):
thought it was you can tell what's on his mind.
He's got one thing that he is focused on, and
that's he's putting a ring Super Bowl ring on.
Speaker 1 (25:02):
The size up contract extension.
Speaker 4 (25:04):
He's looking to get that Super Bowl ring.
Speaker 1 (25:05):
Yep, yep, exactly, And hey man, there's like nobody that's
just more locked into their craft and like passionate about
I think what's cool about him is that it's not
just I want to win a Super Bowl, It's like,
what do I need to do to get to that
point to win Super Bowl? Like it's it's not the
work is there he's putting in. He's laying the foundation
(25:26):
to get there and uh, and he's extremely passionate about
doing so. And that's part of why he's such a
great leader on this team. Honestly, you know when he
when he stepped in here and he talked about earning
his teammates trust and earning that, you know, in which
he did. He didn't come in here all brash and
loud and I'm hey, I'm Derek Henry. Everybody knows me
and what I've accomplished in this league. Like he came
(25:46):
in and he earned it, but he earned it fast
because guys see the way that he works and the
way he attacks that weight room, and he motivates other
guys to get after it and work that way too.
And they see how his regiment and eating kale for
breakfast and stuff like that, and they're like, man, this
dude's about it, Like, yeah, just a professional in every
sense of the word.
Speaker 4 (26:06):
I remember last year it was their ota is are
Early in training camp there was a practice where I mean,
I don't think anybody watching it, like to the naked eye,
it was like it was a bad practice in Derrick Henry,
but he felt like he did some things wrong in practice,
whatever those details were, he went the wrong direction whatever,
I don't know, Yeah, and like he was ticked about it,
and like that's why I reference to him, like you
(26:26):
are a tough critic on yourself. And I think that
like that attention to detail and like practices in May
and June, I think that rubs off on everybody, Like
this guy who if anybody in the building had the
ability to slack off, it's him because he's because of
the resume and all that he's done.
Speaker 1 (26:44):
But he's the last to slack off.
Speaker 4 (26:46):
And I think that that really does set the tone
for everybody else, especially on the offensive side.
Speaker 1 (26:52):
It's also interesting talking to him in the off season
versus during the season. He's in a different mode. Yeah,
in season, Derrick Henry is in a different mode, like
he is locked in and.
Speaker 4 (27:02):
Just yeah, him and Mark Andrews remind me of each
other and that way where it's like you go into
the season mode and the switch like flips for like
six months. Like they just they're in that. They're they're regimented.
They're so detail oriented, and they are serious. They're serious
about their business.
Speaker 2 (27:17):
Yep.
Speaker 1 (27:17):
Yeah, absolutely so really excited to have Derrick Henry here
for a few more years. And we're excited about these emails.
A lot of emails coming in, been flowing into the inbox.
As always, you can reach us at the lounge at
Ravens dot NFL dot net. And of course emails about
the travel draft.
Speaker 4 (27:33):
Right, a lot of emails about the travel Draft.
Speaker 1 (27:35):
There's a couple. There's a couple one from John Stremmel,
and he says, I think this was the closest you
start with us, you guys have done so far. Usually
there's a clear winner, but this year not. But you
both made some good choices like the Bills and Dolphins,
and some weaker choices like both preseason games and both
Ohio games. So he says he noticed something about my list.
(27:58):
The stadiums are his store, and the teams have the
most diehard fan bases, with the exception of the Chiefs
going to Garrett. So if you're basing the list on
football culture, Ryan won, maybe I should stop reading there.
Speaker 4 (28:11):
Yeah, keep going.
Speaker 1 (28:13):
However, Garrett's list has more opponent star power, Mahomes, Flacco,
Baby Shdoor Burrow, and comfortable weather Coo Boy. He says
he agrees with Mattie Ice that Ryan is great at
gas lighting and arguing his case, but I think the
edge goes to Garrett.
Speaker 4 (28:33):
I want to read another email here. This one comes
to us from Barth Pobe and he says, it's been
a while since I wrote to you guys, but I've
never missed a podcast. To Barth, we appreciate that I
have definitely read some of his emails over the years.
He had a whole system that he built to try
to assess who won the travel draft.
Speaker 1 (28:48):
Analytics is the age of analytics right now.
Speaker 4 (28:51):
I won't go into all the details, but he had
a system in place, and the longest short of it
is this, Garrett won the NFL schedule draft.
Speaker 1 (28:57):
That's the main point that he makes here.
Speaker 4 (29:00):
Go through the numbers that he really spells out, but
for the sake of time and brevity here.
Speaker 1 (29:04):
We won't do that. We'll just cut straight to the chase.
Speaker 4 (29:06):
I won the travel draft, and he says, also, Ryan,
thank you for predicting the Ravens going undefeated. That's how
I feel. You speak positively and it will come to pass.
Speaker 1 (29:15):
So that's what undefeated was. Worst case scenarioto in our
Dubs game, worst case seventeen. That's conservative, right, Yeah, it's conservative.
Speaker 2 (29:22):
Yeah, all right.
Speaker 1 (29:23):
Next email comes from Christopher George from Aberdeen, Scotland. Yes,
says Matt. First of all, this is great. Matt was
a terrible judge. Yeah, you gotta go back.
Speaker 4 (29:31):
This is our This was the draft. We did this draft,
by the way, Yeah, right after the schedules announced. It
was right after the schedules announced. We decide which road
games you want to go to, and we had Matt Ryan,
our editorial intern for the year, serve as a judge
just to.
Speaker 1 (29:44):
Provide the context there. Terrible judge, according to Christopher George,
I'm not gonna say it. I would never dog my
guy Matt like that, but people have spoken. Christopher says,
Minks started strong, but blew it in the later rounds.
Round one was a toss up. He says he likes
the sun from Miami for in the Taurus, but football
and Lambeau tips it slightly for me. Round two Bills
over Chiefs every day, just for likability of the opponent.
(30:07):
Around three Vikings with the obvious pick. But I think
Steelers was a reasonable pick as a gamble on if
the Ravens haven't closed out the division by them, big
if though, And then he said after that, who in
their right mind is picking a preseason game over AFC
North Football? See now this is where I agree. You know,
you have to you have to grade yourself.
Speaker 4 (30:29):
Yeah, and you gave yourself a failing grade, which is fair.
Speaker 1 (30:32):
I blew it on that pick. Okay, I have I
I would if I could turn back the clock, I
would definitely pick the Bengals game over preseason I honestly
just I was trying to like kind of have a
well rounded draft. I should have just leaned into the
football guy, go for the you know, the best games.
Cold weather who cares like I'm gonna be at the
(30:52):
best games, of which Ravens at Bengals is certainly one
of them. But I was like trying to balance out
my Lambeau cold weather games with a son in Dallas.
It was a bad decision. I should just leaned into it. Yeah,
you get to stick to the board and stick to
your strate.
Speaker 4 (31:05):
And he couldn't decide which way you were advocating. Am
I advocating?
Speaker 1 (31:08):
Head? Yeah? You know, I just love that I'm into
it when I screw up, I love that.
Speaker 4 (31:12):
It was a miss. It was a miss. So we
appreciate those emails like, whaa, we have one more. We
do have one more, but the travel draft emailsh yeah,
it's a clear victory. Okay, victory has been declared. Okah,
you waved the white flag. Thank you very much. And
our last email, this one comes up from Keaton. Keaton says,
I'm twelve years old and I love the podcast, So
we appreciate it. Keaton, thank you for listening. Do you
(31:32):
think Lejonte Wester will play pump returner or kick returner
or will another wide receiver win the job? So obviously
six round pick out of Colorado. Yeah, what's your take.
Speaker 1 (31:43):
I think that he's going to be the Ravens punt
returner this year, and they were certainly looking for somebody
to fill in that role after it was kind of
a revolving door at the end of last season with
some ball security issues and whatnot. You know, the Ravens
have some depth there. I think Tyler Wallace will be
in the mix and there will be other guys that
could fill in there. But for me, Lejontre wester Is
is the leading candidate going into the summer. Explosive joystick
(32:07):
kind of stop change direction moves was a really good
returner in Colorado and the Ravens are looking to really
upgrade there. That was one area that was kind of
a weakness last season was their punt return and they
went into the off season with the intention of finding one,
just like they signed Deontay Hardy last offseason. They wanted
to make an addition there and invest at returner, and
(32:29):
it just didn't pan out due to injuries and whatnot
with Deontay. But I think that Lejonte will.
Speaker 4 (32:35):
Yeah on kick returner. I do think Western could factor
in there.
Speaker 1 (32:39):
But I think less likely. I think punt returner for sure.
I think kick returner is more likely to be a
running back.
Speaker 4 (32:44):
I think Mitchell Keaton asked the question twelve year old Kekaton.
I think that you know, twenty three year old Keaton
could end up beating the Ravens punt returner kick returner.
Sorry in Keaton Mitchell. I think that that's really an area.
Like I like him as a kick returner. He's not
the explosive speed, his opportunities on offense are limited because
of Derek Henry and Justice Hill and so, but you
(33:05):
want to find ways to get him the ball in
his hands. I think kick returner is a natural place
to do that.
Speaker 1 (33:10):
I agree, And then he's active on your game day
roster still, so if you can get them three to
five touches offensively and have him there as a backup, like,
I want Keaton Mitchell on the field. Yeah, I want
him getting this opportunity. So I agree with you. I
think he'd probably be my leading candidate for kick returner.
Speaker 2 (33:26):
Yeah.
Speaker 4 (33:26):
So, as always, you can email us at the lounge
at Ravens dot NFL dot net. We appreciate the questions
there and as always keep those questions coming. By sure
you subscribe to the podcast, Please leave a rating and
a review, and we will be back with you again
soon
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