Titans' Brian Callahan Dismisses 'Devaluation' of Running Backs, Explains Changes to Position

Tennessee Titans coach Brian Callahan doesn't believe the running back position is being "devalued" in the NFL; he says there's just better distribution of responsibilities. Whether Derrick Henry returns or not, it sounds like Callahan wants plenty of backs on the roster.

INDIANAPOLIS — The Tennessee Titans find themselves in a bit of a predicament at the running back position. Will Derrick Henry stick around next season and beyond? Or will the veteran move on, forcing the team to look for more depth to add to the backfield? Either way, coach Brian Callahan still places a high level of importance on the position.

With such a heavy emphasis on quarterback play, wide receiver depth, and strength on the offensive line, the running back position has been somewhat thrown by the wayside in today's NFL. But Callahan still believes the position is critical to fielding a good offensive team.

He explained that in today's game, backs have to be able to do a variety of things. That's been a major change to the position over the years. 

"You want guys who can carry the ball, you want guys that can protect, and you want guys that can be dynamic out of the backfield. Sometimes that's one player, sometimes that's three," Callahan said at the NFL Scouting Combine on Tuesday.

"I think what's happening is that division of labor is being divided up among that room, so you're getting two and three guys that are contributing more than maybe just one guy all the time. So, I don't think there's a devaluation of the running back position, I think the division of labor has been separated a little more."

Even if Henry decides to stay in Nashville, it doesn't sounds like Callahan will run the eight-year veteran into the ground. The new Titans coach plans to divvy up the workload.

Last year, Henry accounted for 1,167 yards and 12 touchdowns on 280 carries.

"You have to have good backs. There's really no way around it," Callahan said. "Obviously, there's a positional spending that goes with that, but to have good backs — ones that can protect, ones that can run routes in the pass game, that can catch, ones that are explosive. Then you've gotta have guys, when you need two yards, they're gonna pound for two yards and make it hard on a defense."

So, the question becomes: If Henry moves on from the Titans during the offseason, does Callahan look at adding a new running back through the draft? Does Tennessee address the need in free agency?

Behind Henry, Tyjae Spears was the second-most productive running back for the Titans last season. The rookie rushed for 453 yards and two touchdowns on 100 carries. 

Even if Henry sticks around, the Titans might consider adding another running back or two to the roster. Callahan may have even hinted at that possibility.

"I don't devalue the running back position. I know how valuable it is. You just have to have a lot of different types of them when you're building that room for your team."

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