NASHVILLE – Titans running back Derrick Henry will miss Arthur Smith.
But he's confident the Titans can build on last year's success moving forward.
"I was very excited for Arthur – I'm going to miss Arthur, man," Henry said of Smith, the former Titans offensive coordinator who was hired as head coach of the Atlanta Falcons earlier this month. "I'd been with Art since I came into the NFL and started playing for this organization. Arthur is a great guy and I couldn't think of anybody else who is more deserving of the opportunity.
"I know he is going to do a great job and I wish him the best in all the things that he does with his new coaching job in Atlanta. I know everyone on offense and with the organization is going to miss him."
Under Smith, the Titans in 2020 became the first team in NFL history with a 2,000-yard rusher and a 3,500-yard passer in the same season (2,027 rushing by Derrick Henry, 3,819 passing by Ryan Tannehill).
The Titans scored 30-plus points in 20 games in 2020, and 40-plus points in five games.
Titans Coach Mike Vrabel has yet to name Smith's replacement.
"Whoever we choose to fill (Arthur's) position, I know they'll be a great coach," Henry said. "Coach Vrabel will find the right fit and we will just come in, do what we do and keep things rolling."
Henry made his comments in an interview on Thursday morning after he surprised roughly 10 healthcare workers in the Nashville area by hopping on a virtual call to thank them for their continued efforts to help those in need in the community. It was done as a part of FedEx's partnership with Direct Relief.
The Titans won the AFC South in 2020, when they finished with the organization's first 11-win season since 2008. The Titans were knocked out of the playoff by the Ravens, which has supplied even more motivation, Henry said.
"I am definitely thankful for the year, for us being AFC South champs, and being able to put those hats and t-shirts on, being able to make the playoffs for the second year in a row," Henry said. "But we didn't finish the way we wanted to. There's a lot of things we have to be thankful for this year, but there's a lot of things going into the offseason that should make us even more hungry to do better than we did this past year. There's a lot of things we can build off of, but there's room for improvement."
