Despite Browns trash talk, Nick Saban supports Derrick Henry of the Ravens.

“The King’s Defense: Nick Saban Backs Derrick Henry Amid Browns’ Trash-Talk”

CLEVELAND — The whispers, the bold assertions, the psychological warfare—that is part of the NFL’s fabric, especially when two evenly proud teams from the same division prepare for battle. But rarely does trash talk draw in one of the greatest coaches in modern football history. Yet here we are: Nick Saban has thrown his full weight behind Derrick Henry, defending the Ravens’ bruising running back in the face of sharp comments from the Cleveland Browns—specifically from safety Grant Delpit.

Setting the Stage

Derrick Henry, “The King,” is no stranger to being disrespected underestimations. Since his college days at Alabama and now as a perennial force in the NFL, he has built a reputation: powerful runner, physically imposing, hard to slow once in motion. Recently, that reputation came into question when Grant Delpit, the Browns’ safety, declared in a media session that stopping Henry isn’t all that hard: regarding tackling him, Delpit reportedly said “not hard.” The remark raised eyebrows—because if there was ever someone for whom tackling is “hard,” it would seem to be Henry.

Delpit’s comments weren’t without risk. Henry has historically owned matchups against Cleveland: in two games last season, he combined for 211 rushing yards and three touchdowns. For context, Henry also began the 2025 season with an explosive performance—running for 169 yards and scoring two touchdowns in a narrow loss to the Buffalo Bills.

So when the Browns suggest tackling Henry is easy, it’s not just a statement—it’s a provocation.

Enter Nick Saban

Nick Saban, legendary head coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide (and beyond), coached Henry during his college years (2013-2015)—years that included a Heisman Trophy, national championships, and Henry’s development into a bulldozer of a back. Saban’s earned respect in football circles for not just coaching wins, but molding mammoth performers who combine physicality, discipline, and technique.

When Delpit’s “not hard” remark surfaced, Saban didn’t stay quiet. On The Pat McAfee Show, he defended his former star.

“Do you know how hard it is to tackle Derrick Henry… Do you understand how long his arms are?” Saban asked. “If they had to practice every day against this guy, I guarantee you they’d be the first one to say, ‘I ain’t tackling his ass every day.’”

When Saban learned that the comment came from Delpit—a former LSU player—he couldn’t resist some historical perspective:

“LSU guy… How many times did they beat us when [Henry] played?” he said. Alabama had beaten LSU all three seasons during Henry’s time.

Saban also went on to explain why tackling Henry is indeed “hard”:

His arms are long—helpful in stiff-arming defenders.

Once he gets “going” (i.e. builds momentum, hits his stride downhill), he’s faster than many expect.

Keeping him “boxed in” is critical, because letting Henry get to open space makes him a nightmare.

Henry’s Response

Henry himself was measured. He didn’t launch into trash talk in kind; he merely said after Delpit’s remark, “We’ll see on Sunday.”

That classic calm before the potential storm: let performance do the talking. And Henry has done just that often—his body of work already backs him up.

Why This Matters

A few elements make this more than just a side story in a pregame build-up.

Credibility and Legacy
Nick Saban has coached Henry and groomed him into what he is. For Saban to say that stopping Henry is hard carries weight—not just because of Saban’s status, but because he has seen Henry at close quarters. Coaches who practice against super-talent know how differently those moments feel.

Motivation and Psychological Edge
Delpit’s comment might have been intended to rattle Henry or the Ravens’ offense, or to show confidence in the Browns’ defense. But statements like this often backfire when the player responds on the field. And now Henry has an extra defender in Saban (and the court of public opinion) saying: be wary, this is no easy target.

Divisional Rivalry Amplified
Cleveland vs. Baltimore is already a heated divisional matchup in the AFC North. Boosting up your back to try to expose flaws in your opponent’s offense or offense personnel is common. And Henry is both central to Baltimore’s offense and a flagship name. So trashing him is going after more than just a running back—it’s poking at identity.

Performance vs. Perception
The issue at stake is whether the external narrative—“Henry’s declining with age” or “he’s easier to tackle because he’s thirty-one”—holds up in face of his play. Recent performance (169 yards and two touchdowns, dominant yards last season vs. Cleveland) suggests perception lags reality. Saban’s remarks help shift perception closer to what Henry has been doing.

The Browns’ Position & Delpit’s View

Grant Delpit’s remark—“not hard”—is bold. It’s almost provocative in its simplicity. It suggests confidence, maybe even underestimation. Delpit might be trying to frame the narrative: that Henry, while still good, is beatable; or that the Browns’ defense has the tools to stop him; or to put pressure on Henry and the Ravens.

From a competitive standpoint, that’s a valid move. If you believe your defense can contain Henry, saying so publicly can boost morale. From a media standpoint, it gets attention.

Certainly, Delpit will want to back up those words—not just before the game, but during it. And that’s the beauty of sport: the proof is in the yards, the tackles, the game film.

Context: Henry’s Recent Form

As mentioned, Henry didn’t simply fall off. In the opener of the 2025 season, he racked up 169 rushing yards and two touchdowns in a tight loss to the Bills. In matches versus the Browns last season, his numbers were similarly impressive (211 yards, three TDs across two games) against Cleveland’s defense.

So the question for the Browns and for Delpit isn’t “Can Henry run?” It’s whether they can limit him—not only physically, but by disrupting the flow.

Nick Saban’s Expertise & Perspective

To understand why Saban’s voice matters here, you have to track his relationship with Henry’s development:

Saban coached Henry at Alabama from 2013 through 2015. During this period Henry won the Heisman (2015), set multiple records, and became known for his physical dominance, work ethic, and ability to win between the tackles.

Saban’s insight comes from experience: seeing Henry’s physical traits (long arms, stride, durability) in practice, in conditioning, in man vs. man, in college defenses which often are as disciplined (if not more so in some respects) than pro defenses in terms of fundamentals.

Also, Saban has seen how Henry has maintained production: even into his 30s, when many backs decline. The ability to keep going downhill, maintain speed (or at least enough speed), to break tackles or avoid them, to make defenders miss—these are all things Saban highlighted.

What to Watch for on Game Day

Here are some key things to monitor when the Browns and the Ravens square off, given all this rhetoric.

How often does Delpit try to tackle Henry one-on-one? Will the Browns scheme specific holes to contain him, or double team, or gang-tackle?

Is Henry boxed in—or does he break out into open field? Saban emphasized “you want to keep him boxed in.” If Henry can get around the edge or into open space, that’s dangerous.

Impact of stiff arms, arm length: Henry’s long arms give him leverage and separation, especially in close quarters. Can Delpit or others neutralize that leverage?

Situational performance: Third downs, red zone runs, early downs, pass protection. It’s one thing to eyeball stats; it’s another to see how he responds under pressure.

Physical wear—does Henry show any signs of age? Browns might attempt to test his durability or hoping to force fatigue.

The Broader Implication: Respect in the NFL

What Saban’s defense of Henry illustrates is something broader: respect earned vs. respect assumed. Henry has earned his reputation over many seasons; blowouts, close games, prime time, rainy days, big playoff moments. When an opposing player or coach underplays that, it often becomes a motivational fuel.

Also, when a figure like Saban speaks up, it can influence not only media narrative, but the mindset of players—both on Henry’s team (reaffirmation) and on the opposition (awareness, doubt). It’s like being told “this guy has punched above your weight your whole life; are you sure you want to step up?”

Conclusion

In the end, Nick Saban’s defense of Derrick Henry isn’t just an old coach defending a former player—it’s a validation of what Henry has been demonstrating lately: explosiveness, tenacity, power, and the sort of reputation that is hard-earned and easy to disparage from the cheap seats.

Grant Delpit’s claim that tackling Henry “is not hard” may have been meant to intimidate or rally his side, but Saban’s response reframes that moment: Henry is very hard to tackle. Period. Not just because of his size and strength, but because of his technique, his stride, his competitive grit.

Come game day, the numbers will tell the story. If Henry gas bags a big run, or a long fourth-quarter drive, or backs up the Browns’ trash talk with performance—then Saban’s words will look prophetic. If the Browns do manage to slow him, or tackle him cleanly, or stifle him, then Delpit’s words might ring true for that stretch. Either way, respect has to be paid—or re-paid.

For fans, analysts, and players, this moment serves as a reminder: pregame talk can grab headlines, but football is settled on the turf. And Derrick Henry, with Nick Saban’s voice behind him, has every reason, as always, to expect that the turf will favor his power this Sunday.