Content available exclusively for subscribers
Boca Raton – Sometimes it’s the low-key, under-the-radar signings that turn out to be the best ones, as opposed to the big-ticket items . . .
The Jets re-signed linebacker Erin Henderson. Great move. I’m a big admirer of this player. Did you now he had 11 tackles in the Jets’ Week 17 game in Buffalo? He has exceptional instincts — triggers fast downhill, and is a secure, drive-through tackler. He hits with explosion and jars ball carriers on impact. Henderson has outstanding eyes and anticipation vs. the run, and has a high football IQ.
And they got him cheap.
Henderson agreed to a two-year for $3.1 million. He can make up to $5 million with incentives.
That is a steal. Honestly, this guy is just as good as David Harris, who makes $7.5 million this year. I don’t mean that as a slight on Harris, but more as a compliment to Henderson.
It’s pretty obvious why he came so cheap. He had some substance issues in Minnesota that led to his release, and being out of the league in 2014.
He got help, and he was in a good place last year.
“I’ve learned that substance abuse is often a byproduct of different things,” Henderson said. “For me, it was my way of numbing things and not having to worry about a lot of things. That’s pretty much what I did.
“When I look back on it, I realize that’s not living. That’s not life. You’re supposed to feel certain things. You’re supposed to have emotions. Life is not meant to just be coasted through. But one of the things they tell us a lot in rehab is there’s nothing that a drink won’t make worse.”
He goes to support groups three days a week.
Getting back to the field. DeMario Davis did some good things for the Jets during his four seasons with the team. He had 100 tackles two of the last three years, and would have had 100 again this year, if he didn’t platoon with Henderson late last season.
But they couldn’t keep Henderson off the field anymore. He’s too good.
And he’s a little better than Davis in coverage. A big reason for that are his hips. Henderson has much looser hips than Davis, and this helps him change direction easier in coverage.
Davis has stiff hips. It’s not his fault. It’s the way he’s built. And those stiff hips really hurt him in coverage at times, because elusive players can cut away from him in their pattern. It is what it is, to use a terrible sports cliché quote.
Henderson is an upgrade over Davis, and came a lot cheaper.
Davis got a two-year deal in Cleveland for $8 million with $4.1 million guaranteed.
Looking over the contract details, I don’t think Henderson got any guaranteed money. He’s basically getting an average of $1.55 million a year for two seasons, with the chance to earn some incentives.
With Henderson’s substance concerns, the Jets were wary of guaranteeing money. Any team would be. While Henderson has done a nice job of dealing with his issues, as anyone with substance issues will tell you, it’s a daily battle, and you are never truly out of the woods – you have to keep working at it.
But from a football standpoint, if he can stay on the field, this is a rock-solid signing. He’s going to help the Jets a great deal. Good football player.
March 24, 2016
Premium will return by 9:30 pm on Friday.
