Fisher, Smith like upside of RB HenryHEAD COACH JEFF FISHER(opening statement)Head coach Jeff Fisher and assistant head coach/running backs coach Sherman Smith discuss the selection of RB Chris Henry in front of reporters at Baptist Sports Park.One of the areas of need for this club was at the running back position. I think that was well noted based upon our attempts to work-out a deal with Michael Turner in San Diego. While all of that was going on we did a lot research and did a lot of work as far as the backs were concerned. We’re very excited about being in a position to draft Chris Henry. We had actually considered and discussed the possibility of taking him in the first round. Only because of what we saw on tape and what Sherman (Smith) saw at his private workout in Tucson and of course the (NFL) combine workout and the interviews.We feel like Chris is an every down back. He can play first-down, second-down and he can also do the things for us on third-down. He’s got excellent hands. He’s a very high character player. He has exceptional speed and good change of direction. He doesn’t have the stats, doesn’t have the numbers at the University of Arizona. We did the research and we’re satisfied why that happened, but we’re confident that he will have the stats and numbers at this level.(on why Henry didn’t have great stats in college)They were rotating backs, they were in and out of offenses. Their offense had gone through a number of changes. There were several other things – Chris missed a class and then was demoted and sat down for a game. There were all kind of things, but not relating to Chris. Chris missed a class and as far as we’re concerned that happens sometimes. They were strict out there based on our research and he worked himself back in the lineup. We had no concerns whatsoever about Chris’ character. (on when he realized that the Michael Turner deal wouldn’t workout)It became obvious to us that they didn’t want to move him because they upped the ante. At one point early in the round they actually wanted more. It became obvious that they weren’t willing to move him. They wanted the insurance knowing that they had a backup to LaDainian Tomlinson this year. I think that was the bottom line.(on if the Chargers wanted more than a first-rounder in 2008)Yes.(on if this pick will put RB LenDale White on notice)No, it’s all about having a two back system. We’re pleased with what Quinton (Ganther) is doing right now. We need the depth. We need to have the opportunity and ability to draw on more than just one running back. LenDale is working the off-season program and with the addition of Chris we feel very good about the position. (on how close the trade came to landing Mike Williams from Detroit)We’ve had discussions that go back several days. We just felt that Mike was a player because of our familiarity with him, from Norm (Chow)’s standpoint, from Fred (Graves), that he would have a chance to come in and help us. But we also felt like we had to draw the line somewhere. There’s a value there. I’m not abreast of what the deal was but we were talking to them throughout, but it seemed like Detroit wanted a little too much. More than we were willing to offer.(on the start of the draft so far)We’re very excited about our first two picks. (Michael) Turner and (Mike) Williams would have been bonuses for us. We will still have more opportunities down the line. Every year these types of scenarios exist. They go on. They take place and there’s behind the scene talks about different type of players. The difference is this year things got out. There were points of interest and they were discussed as possibilities. But we’re very realistic. I mean we go into this process not relying on those things. If they happen then you can do something else. We drafted Chris specifically in the second round for two reasons – one actually, it turns out he was the best player on our board.(on if WR Steve Smith was close)Yes he was very close.(on Henry’s medical redshirt situation at Arizona)It was early in his career if the question comes from a durability standpoint. He is a durable back. He is very strong and explosive. I have no concerns about that.(on balancing the need for a defensive end and wide receiver in the draft)We have got multiply picks. If we identify a guy and the group is thinning out we are certainly prepared to do what we need to do to get the guy we need. (on how draft day has gone)It’s gone well. We said this. We felt like the toughest part of today was going to be from the top of the second round, down to our pick because there are a number of good players that could have helped us. We’re competing with all the other teams so a lot of those players went off the board. We were a little nervous there. I was a little surprised that Cincinnati ended up taking a running back right before us. We didn’t anticipate that. They took a very good running back incidentally in Kenny Irons. Things have gone well for us. Are we disappointed that we couldn’t get the (Michael) Turner and the Mike Williams deal done? We’re not disappointed. There’s a value and a place for that. It didn’t happen so we move on. ASST. HEAD COACH/RUNNING BACKS SHERMAN SMITH(on the significance of Chris Henry not doing anything special to prepare for the combine to boost his attributes)When I went to work the guy out I knew that his personal workout was not equal to what you saw on film, so there has to be a reason why. As Jeff said, we did our homework, talking to the coaching staff there, talking to other people. As I related to the coaches, quite clearly, the kid had the ability; it was the system that kept him from being productive. As we worked him out you could see the power, the explosion, the quickness, and the hands. Man how come you’re not playing? So I talked to the strength coach and the strength coach laid it out real clear. He said this kid put up with a lot the past three years. He kept it together. He worked hard in practice. When he got an opportunity, he did the best he could, but it was a system in which he really had to endure some hardships.(on how he feels about him in blitz pick-up in pass coverage, responding to Chris Henry saying that he feels like he could improve in that area)Well you know it’s interesting that he feels like that’s something that he needs to work on. Maybe he is talking about a technique or a blitz pick-up responsibility. I talked to Chris and he was very knowledgeable about their pass protection scheme and who they had. Watching him in protection, he was physical, so he shows that he is a willing blocker. I think what he is talking about is that he just wants to be a perfectionist at everything he does. He is willing, tough, smart, knows who he has, so, I don’t think that is going to be a problem at all for him in pass protection.(on how Chris Henry differs from LenDale White)I think Chris is definitely faster. I think LenDale definitely has some speed and some quickness, but this guy is explosive also. It’s his physical attributes. I think we are just scratching the surface of what he can be. I know the one thing that really encouraged me about him is his attitude. He reminds me of Eddie George in his approach to the game, in his approach to how he does his work, his desire to be great and also the work ethic behind wanting to be great. He does it; he doesn’t just talk about it. So this is a kid that I just think has a great career ahead of him because he is going to do what it takes and putting the work in is important to him. So I think him and LenDale run styles are different in one sense, but in a lot of areas they are very similar. I think we’ll have a good one, two punch. Like Jeff said, with Quinton, we have some backs and with the guys up front we are going to get it done in the run game and we will protect our quarterback and we will be contributing in the passing game also.(on how LenDale will react to drafting Chris Henry)Like I said, he has to work at it. LenDale knows that, and this is a guy is not going to wait for him. Chris is coming in here as we talked about when I was down in Arizona, he is coming here to start. He is not coming to be a back up. So his mindset is that I’m coming to win the job, and that’s what he’s going to do. And it’s LenDale’s opportunity to win the job also and Quinton’s opportunity.back