With the arrival of Tyjae Spears, the Titans used the shotgun and pistol formations from the onset of most games. The Bengals game, for example, in 2023. Down by an FG, Henry was used out of the pistol on their very first offensive play. They converted a 3rd and 1 from under center, and then Henry immediately ran out of the shotgun for 11 yards. His next attempt was out of the shotgun on a 2nd and 3, a gain of 2 yards. Then they followed it with a run from under center for 2 yards, resulting in 1st down. And their very next play was out of the pistol on a 1st and 10. They kicked an FG on that drive.
Henry's very first touch on a 1st and 10 in the 2nd quarter? Also out of the pistol, his only carry of the drive. And their next drive begun with his carry out of the shotgun, also his only carry. On his first carry on the following drive, also on a 1st and 10, Henry had this juicy tote out of the shotgun:
He finished the half with another carry out of the pistol for 16 yards, but that was also with 1:20 remaining, which to your point, is more situational. The rest of the attempts were out of your standard and replicable scenarios.
In fact, even if we exclude the last attempt, he carried the ball 5 times on 1st and 10 either out of either pistol or shotgun. He only ran from under center twice, on 2 separate 3rd and 1s for gains of 2 yards each. The 7 carries from the pistol and shotgun netted 53 yards and a score. The Titans ended the half with a 17-3 lead. I understand the aesthetics of the 2022 season and earlier, the thoughts of Henry dominating from under center are difficult to shake. But their 2023 offense underwent notable changes. If we had acquired Henry before last year, I'd fully understand the concerns about the fit. That being said, from how he was utilized last year, and what he's shown this year, that understanding is no longer present.
