The Cleveland Browns haven’t been shy about talking trash about the Baltimore Ravens before Week 2’s matchup at M&T Banks Stadium on Sunday, September 14, but certain words have prompted an ominous warning from Pro Bowl running back Derrick Henry.
He responded to a line from Browns safety Grant Delpit, who was asked by reporters on Thursday if Henry is tough to tackle. Despite the two-time NFL rushing champion being a bulldozers few defenders drop on first contact, Delpit glibly replied, “not hard,” per ESPN’s Jamison Hensley.
Once word reached Henry, the 31-year-old simply said, “Yeah, I saw that. His coach had a quote. He had a quote. We’ll see on Sunday.”
Those words represent more than an implicit warning from Henry. He hardly needed any extra motivation after his costly fumble proved decisive when the Ravens suffered a heartbreaking 41-40 defeat to the Buffalo Bills in Week 1.
Delpit has given Henry an edge he didn’t need, but the safety isn’t the only member of the Browns who’s had something less than flattering to say about the Ravens.
Derrick Henry and Grant Delpit, Browns Have History
There’s history between Henry and Delpit stemming from the latter delivering this hefty thump when the two teams met at Huntington Bank Field in Week 8 last season.
Delpit had no problem gesturing to Henry and talking a little smack, something the Browns can do given their track record against the league’s most punishing runner. Although Henry did gain 73 yards on just 11 carries in that game, he ripped off 39 on one rush.
Limiting Henry to a mere 34 yards on the other 10 attempts speaks to the success the Browns have had. He’s gone over 100 yards on the ground just once in his last four games against the Kevin Stefanski-coached Browns, according to StatMuse.
The Bills couldn’t emulate the same success when Henry raced for scores covering 30 and 46 yards last week. Yet, the play that got away still haunts the five-time Pro Bowler.
Ravens Must Make Amends for Self-Inflicted Wounds
Beating themselves in clutch moments has become an unhappy habit for the Ravens, with Henry the latest guilty party after he put the ball on the turf against the Bills. It was the key shift in momentum when the Ravens led by eight points with just over three minutes remaining in the fourth quarter.
Franchise quarterback Lamar Jackson offered words of encouragement, but what Henry really needs is to take out his frustrations on the Browns. Delpit has provided more incentive, and Henry can also take comfort from an underlying statistic that refutes the safety’s dismissive statement.
Henry couldn’t get on track enough in Week 8 last season, but he still averaged 4.7 yards after contact per rushing attempt, according to Pro Football Reference. That number implies Henry wasn’t going down after first contact. Just like he wasn’t when Henry rumbled for 138 yards against the Browns in Week 17, gaining 67 after being hit.
It’s been feast or famine for Henry against the Browns, but things should be different this time. Delpit’s bulletin board material, Henry’s desire to make up for fumbling against the Bills, and playing with homefield advantage, can ensure the Ravens put last week’s misery firmly behind them.
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