Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Willie Henry admits that last year was "frustrating." After celebrating his name being called as a fourth-round pick by the Ravens, Henry came to Baltimore and did not play a snap all season. He was a game-day inactive in eight of the first nine games, and in the only game he suited up for, he didn't play. He ended up on injured reserve in November.
But with injuries hitting the Ravens' deep defensive line the past few weeks, Henry has been pressed into action and has responded. In his first career game, against Jacksonville in London during Week 3, Henry made five tackles, and he equaled that during the 30-17 win against the Oakland Raiders in Week 5.
With defensive tackle Brandon Williams still sidelined by a foot injury -- he's missed the past three games -- and with Carl Davis dealing with a hamstring injury, Henry's value in the middle of the Ravens' defensive front has jumped. At 6-foot-3 and 308 pounds, Henry's task is to plug the middle of the Ravens' defense alongside Michael Pierce, to disrupt the running game and help collapse the pocket.
