NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Derrick Henry isn't making any predictions heading into Year 3.
But the Titans running back has a goal in mind.
"No predictions, I just want to be a dominant back," Henry said on Wednesday. "I want to be a premier back in this league. And that is me starting out in training camp, getting ready with these guys, competing every day and getting better.
"I definitely want to be dominant this year, and any opportunities that I get, take advantage of them. Make plays for this offense, be a consistent back. I just want to do what I am asked and help this team win games, help this offense."
Henry, who ran for 744 yards and five touchdowns last season, is a few pounds heavier at the start of this year's training camp, and that's by design.
He's added more muscle, and feels even stronger than a year ago.
The former Heisman Trophy winner at the University of Alabama is as motivated as ever. He spoke highly of his former Titans teammate, running back DeMarco Murray, who announced his retirement earlier this month, calling him a "great guy, and a great leader."
"I wish him the best," Henry said of Murray. "Being around him for two years, he is a great player, a business guy, a blue-collar guy. He takes the right approach, comes to work every day and works hard."
But Henry said he's fired up about working alongside new teammate Dion Lewis, formerly with the Patriots.
"Dion is a great guy," Henry said. "We have been getting along very well. We are excited to have a tandem together, and we just want to get in training camp and make each other better. We want to help this team make a run by going out there and making plays."
Henry has racked up 1,234 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns in his first two NFL seasons. He's also caught 24 passes for 273 yards and a score.
He said he's a different player now than he was when he entered the league in 2016. Henry said he wants to set a great example for his teammates with his work ethic, "and hopefully be a leader for this team."
"Just with experience, year after year learning and having that experience," Henry said. "The third year for me, I am just ready to go, ready to be dominant, be a premier back, and be consistent and have a great year with this team.
"(I want) to have a great game every game, and have an impact every game at my position and make plays to help this team win."
Henry finished the year strong. He had a 66-yard touchdown reception in the season finale against the Jaguars, and in the team's playoff win at Kansas City he racked up 156 yards and a touchdown.
Alongside Lewis, teammates believe the running game could be dominant.
"He's a special guy," center Ben Jones said of Henry. "Just to see him in person, just how hard he works. He is grinding every day, he wants to be the best guy on the field. And you want to block for a guy like him. He's just a physical specimen out there. He's a monster. It's his mindset – he's grinding he wants to be the best.
"And Dion, it's the same thing. He wants the ball every play, too. You have two guys who want the ball and I'll give it to them every play. … We have two great guys who can do a lot of special things back there."
