Part of improvement on ball production could also come from getting around the quarterback — something he’s also done. Just look at the most recent practice where he grabbed a would-be sack in team drills.
And it’s not hard to see why that could be an area he improves on as well, as he has spent time working with Khalil Mack and Derwin James, Jr., on the side during down times of practice.
He’s looked for every avenue to improve, and who better to learn from than some of the best in the game at getting to the quarterback.
“I get a lot just being around [them]. I was talking to Tuli, I just need their aura,” Henley said of working with Mack and James. “Just being around those guys, building and trying to develop more areas in my game.
“As I’ve talked about being around the ball and ball production, a lot of that comes from being in the backfield and getting sacks, TFLs,” Henley added. “That’s what I’m chasing when I’m around those guys because they do it at a high level. Some of the most elite in this league. Just to be around them and get some of their tools, try to put some in my toolbox, it’s something I’m chasing.”
Even early on, Henley’s appetite for improvement has continued to pay dividends entering his third season.
“For me moving forward, last season is last season,” Henley said. “I’m pretty much done talking about it because I don’t feel like I’ve gotten the respect that I want from it and I feel like it doesn’t matter whether I get it or not because I have to get it within myself.
“I’m just driving, striving to get better every day and this season should be better than the next,” Henley added. “I got to stack it — stacking days, stacking weeks, stacking seasons.”