New England Patriots rookie TreVeyon Henderson has yet to take a regular-season snap in the NFL, but that hasn't stopped some Boston media members from comparing him to members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Boston Globe columnist Chad Finn writes that Henderson has inspired memories of another former Patriots running back, Curtis Martin, who was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2012. Martin finished his career with 14,101 rushing yards and 90 touchdowns.
"Sometimes you can just tell that a running back has it," Finn writes. "We could tell with Martin 30 years ago. And you’d better believe we can tell with Henderson now.
"With apologies to beach football victim Robert Edwards, Henderson is the Patriots’ most exciting rookie back since Martin, and I expect him to have a debut that spurs a similar level of optimism and belief."
Finn recounts memories of former Patriots coach Bill Parcells squashing similar enthusiasm from local media members back when Martin was a rookie in 1995. After a torrid start to his career, Parcells famously told New England media members: "Don't put him in Canton just yet, fellas."
Of course, Martin was inducted in Canton, Ohio, 17 years later.
"I’m not suggesting his career will even come close to approaching Martin’s, whose excellence while establishing longevity was especially remarkable considering the Patriots claimed to be worried about his health when Parcells stole him," Finn writes.
"All running backs are an injury risk, of course, and if they do stay healthy, wear and tear catches up to them in the open field around their 30th birthday. If you don’t believe that, let me remind you that Ezekiel Elliott was in his age-28 season during his stint with the 2023 Patriots.
"Now, I’m not going to put Henderson in Canton just yet, fellas. Of course not. That would be silly. Absurdly premature. Let’s let him get an official NFL carry first, maybe even two, and then see how this promising career builds from there.
"But perhaps he would enjoy a tour of the Patriots Hall of Fame?"
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