Mike James
The One... and the Two
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Registered: May 2003
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Location: Rice University
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Browns' Henry needs to forget past failures, focus on the future
By Marla Ridenour
Beacon Journal staff writer
BEREA - Anthony Henry's goal this season is to become an amnesiac.
The Browns' third-year cornerback has plenty he wants to forget.
First on the list is last season, when he struggled as a starter for 10 games, eight filling in for injured teammates Corey Fuller and Daylon McCutcheon.
It was a poor follow-up to a rookie year when he tied for the NFL lead with 10 interceptions playing in the nickel defense.
More recently, he wants to put out of his mind a bad preseason game Aug. 23 at Detroit, especially the big-gainer he gave up when he got his hips turned the wrong way and fell.
On Sunday, Henry doesn't want his memory to last more than 10 seconds. The Browns host the Indianapolis Colts in the 2003 NFL season opener and Henry will be one of the Browns attempting to defend Pro Bowl wide receiver Marvin Harrison, who has caught more than 100 passes each of the past four years.
Last Dec. 15 at Cleveland, Harrison totaled nine receptions for 172 yards and two touchdowns and set the league's single-season reception record. Harrison's 14 catches at Cleveland in 1999 tied his career best.
So "How's your amnesia?'' is the pertinent question for Henry this week, and perhaps all season.
"I'm working on it,'' Henry said, drawing laughter.
"I've got to have it against the Colts. You've got to understand they're going to make plays. It's hard, but that's what it takes to be a good corner.''
With Fuller gone to Baltimore, McCutcheon and Henry will start, Henry on the left side where Harrison will spend most of his time. Henry is trying not to psych himself out before kickoff.
"It's the same (approach) I take every week even though he's a high-caliber receiver,'' Henry said. "He and Peyton Manning, you have to prepare for on a different level because there's so many advantages as far as communication between them.
"We understand he has the ability to catch a lot of balls. We don't go in there saying we're just going to give it to him.''
That's practically what happened in last season's matchup, when the Colts rallied from a 16-0 halftime deficit to win 28-23. Harrison caught three passes for 54 yards in the first half with Fuller covering him. In the second half, the Colts moved Harrison to Henry's side and Harrison added six catches for 118 yards and two touchdowns.
Henry thought the Browns had a good plan in the first half a year ago.
"Then we came back and changed the defensive scheme, which kind of left us some holes,'' Henry said. "This year we're going to disguise our defense a little bit and wait at the line and see what they bring us.''
Browns Coach Butch Davis thinks Henry has improved since December and is up to the challenge of covering Harrison. Part of Henry's progress has come from losing the eight to 10 pounds Davis said Henry gained in 2002.
"He shows signs of his speed and quickness returning,'' Davis said. "I think he got a little bit big last year. He got victimized by the stumble at Detroit. He'll get his share of getting picked on and he'll make some plays for us.''
Henry said he is a different player from a year ago.
"Mostly in film study, understanding what offenses are going to do to us as far as weaknesses in the defense and communication with your teammates,'' he said.
During a conference call Wednesday, Manning mentioned Henry's name twice and called him "a great talent.'' Henry realizes he needs to use that talent because he means so much to the Browns this season.
"I realize my role is very important,'' Henry said. "There's going to be passing situations like last year where we didn't finish. I didn't make a play that I felt I should have had.''
Henry isn't above picking the brain of Kevin Johnson for information on Harrison. Johnson and Harrison played together at Syracuse, where Johnson started out as a quarterback.
"To me, you've got to be physical with him,'' Johnson said of Harrison. "Make him earn everything. You can't give him anything. The minute you think you've got him, the next second you turn around he's running. You've got to be real patient and stick to it.
"You've got to have help. You can't possibly go out with a guy like that and try to play man-to-man. He's too good.''
Last edited by Mike James on 09-06-2003 at 06:13 AM |
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09-06-2003 06:07 AM
