LenDale White has heard all of the comments and jokes throughout his career. Sure, he may not have a sculpted body like former Titan Eddie George. But the third-year running back is proving just how effective he can be in the National Football League. !
RB LenDale White is a key part of a Titans rushing attack that ranks among the NFL's best in 2008.
Heading into Sunday's contest against Pittsburgh, White ranks second on the team with 700 rushing yards (25th in the NFL). His career-high 14 rushing touchdowns are tied with Eddie George for the second-most in franchise history in a single season. He is currently tied with Carolina's DeAngelo Williams, trailing only Atlanta's Michael Turner (15) with two games remaining.
And don't think White's 6-1, 235-pound frame is only good for short yardage situations. He owns the NFL's longest run from scrimmage this season – an 80-yard touchdown run at Kansas City that ranks as the third-longest run in franchise history.
Not bad for a player who slipped all the way to the second round of the 2006 NFL Draft, despite rushing for 3,159 yards (8th in school history) and scoring a USC and Pac-10 record 57 touchdowns.
"The jokes can be said and people are going to say what they're going to say, but so far the only joke is that I have the longest run from scrimmage this year," said White, who ripped off a 54-yard run two weeks later against Green Bay. "As big as I am and as out of shape as they say I am, it's amazing that this big, out of shape guy ran 80 yards without anybody even grabbing him."
White admits he would like to drop a little more weight "to get the burst and speed I feel like I need to have at this level," but won't apologize for his effectiveness on the field.
"I've been working hard, trying to get in the best possible shape I can be in," he said. "I had a torn meniscus last year, so my legs were kind of dead all year. I was just compensating for one knee, but right now I feel really good."
After seeing limited action his rookie season, White was Tennessee's workhorse last season, rushing for 1,110 yards and seven touchdowns. White's carries have dipped this season after the Titans took speed back Chris Johnson with their top draft pick last April. However, the two players have combined to form one of the NFL's top rushing tandems in 2008.
Johnson, who adds a dimension of speed Tennessee's offense has never seen before, ranks second in the AFC and sixth in the NFL in rushing with 1,159 yards and eight touchdowns. Together, the pair has become known as "Smash and Dash," a nickname the duo formed from their style of play on the field.
"As we've all seen this year, Chris is special. He brings a lot to the table. He opens things up for me, Kerry, Vince or whoever it is. You have to welcome the challenge and at the same time respect it," White said.
White and Johnson have quickly bonded during their short time together.
"Chris J. is my guy. We're close. It's crazy how quickly you can bond with someone in such a short period of time. I've bonded with him really well. I look at him as a little brother," White said. "What you see on the field when we shake each other's hands and when you see us really excited for the other person, it's genuine. We compete against each other just because it makes the team better."
And as for taking on the role of "Smash," don't be fooled, White noted.
"I've been saying all along that the 'Smash' title is a great one to have because I can definitely pound the ball, but I'm not a 5.9 (40-yard dash) running back. I do have speed. If you watch the tapes, you'll see me break loose from time to time and that throws a little gift to our offense."
White seems to have matured since his rookie season, knowing now what it takes to succeed throughout a long NFL season.
"I definitely understand a lot more. I'm always in the playbook," he said. "I place a lot of importance on the studying aspect of the game because I want to be the best that I can be."
White is quick to credit his offensive line for the success he has enjoyed this season.
"We have the best offensive line in the world. They're the reason we have so much success running and throwing the ball the way we do," he said. "We believe in one another, and when they go out and handle their job, it makes my job 20 times easier.
"Everyone's been talking about the long runs I've been having this year, but they get me to the second level and all I've had to do is make a couple of guys miss or nobody at all and just run."
As for his remaining goals, winning the Super Bowl is at the top of his list. Losing a couple of games? No big deal, as long as his team is competing on Feb. 1.
"We saw New England go undefeated and when it really counted, they couldn't get it done," White said. "The undefeated regular season was a great thing, but I would rather lose three games and make it to the Super Bowl and win it than go undefeated and lose in the big game."
White said he'll do his part to help the Titans get there.
"I'm going to do everything in my power to help my team win football games. If that's getting 30 or more carries or not playing at all, that's what I'm going to do," he said. "My number one thing in my life and with this team is to win. I hate losing. I've never liked losing and I have a lot of wins over my career to prove it."
