NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Titans running backs coach Sylvester Croom is sold on veteran running back DeMarco Murray.

He loves his work ethic, his leadership skills, and his ability. He's been blown away by what he's seen this offseason.

"He's a coach's dream,'' Croom said of Murray.

So, what does Croom think about rookie running back Derrick Henry, the team's second-round pick at Alabama?

Right now, he's still not 100 percent what he has in the fold. Croom admits he probably won't know for sure until the end of the season.

"From my contacts at the university, his leadership qualities and intangibles were reported to be very high,'' Croom said of Henry, "and so far they have been.

"But until you go through that rookie year, everything is new to you, from game one to the last game. Everything is new to Derrick and all the rookies, from how to train to how to prepare going into the season. And until you get through the first year, you just don't know.

"From a physical standpoint, his football talent is obvious,'' Croom continued. "Now, the mental toughness, the mental discipline, how to truly be a professional football player -- that is the key and it will determine how much success he is going to have and how much he'll be able to help our football  team. The talent is there, but until a rookie goes through the first season, he really doesn't know what it takes to be a pro at this level."

Henry won last year's Heisman Trophy after rushing for 2,219 yards and 28 touchdowns last season. He was a key cog in the team's run to the national championship.

While Murray is expected to get the bulk of the workload for the Titans this fall, Henry could earn more opportunities if he performs well.

Time will tell.

"He's going to be a good football player,'' Croom said of Henry. "He's just going to have to learn, but everybody does. When I was a rookie coach, a first-year coach, I had to learn. You have to learn what working in the NFL is like, because it is totally different than college."