Indoor Football League: Henri changes game for Roughnecks and foes

Every defense needs an unquestioned leader.

A star capable of disrupting an opponent’s offense on every play, forcing the quarterback to find his number on the field, spend most of his time wreaking havoc on all levels.

Roughnecks rover Eric Henri might be one of the league’s best.

Playing in a defense built for his skills, Henri, a returning All-IFL second team selection, has followed up that performance by racking up 81 tackles, five interceptions, three forced fumbles and half a sack.

“In our defense, the rover has a lot of flexibility,” Henri said. “You have to be involved in both the run and the pass. Wherever the play is happening, that’s where I end up.”

Henri might be the Roughnecks’ most gifted athlete.

Listed at 6-feet, 220-pounds, Henri has the upper-body strength to take on blocks at the point of attack and more than enough speed to cover almost any receiver in the league.

That versatility makes Henri a defensive coordinator’s favorite kind of toy, a weapon who can be deployed at almost any place on the field.

“I think he could play any position on our team, except for the offensive line,” Roughnecks head coach Chris Williams said. “He can play in the defensive line, at linebacker, defensive back, I think he could run a route on offense if he had to.”

Henri is the linchpin that holds the Roughnecks’ top-ranked defense together.

When first-year defensive coordinator Bryant Grove looked over the film of the West Texas defense in preparation for this season, he immediately realized what he had in Henri.

Grove’s defense is built to highlight Henri’s all-around versatility.

“Eric’s probably one of three players in the whole league who can do the things we ask him to do,” Grove said. “This defense was designed specifically for him, and he’s just getting to the point where he understands it.”

Playing exclusively as a linebacker in 2010, Henri dominated the line of scrimmage, but his responsibilities kept him from making a major impact in coverage.

Grove’s system changed all that.

Using Henri as a free-flowing rover, Grove has been trying to put Henri in position to make more interceptions this season. Henri’s five interceptions have been partly a product of that system, but he’s constantly getting better.

In the Roughnecks’ season finale, Henri got his hands on five balls out in the air.

“Even this week, the first week of the playoffs, we’re going to do some different things with him,” Grove said. “If we didn’t have Eric Henri, I’d have to redesign the whole defense.”

Henri appreciates the freedom to freelance.

At his position, the best athletes only thrive if they have top-notch instincts for the ball. Henri’s ability to diagnose and react to a play allows Grove to let his best player seek and destroy when the right opportunity arises.

“I try to do what I can,” Henri said. “Every play has its responsibilities, but if I see something, I have the freedom to go and make the play.” 

>> THE BASICS

Who: West Texas Roughnecks (10-4) at Tri-Cities Fever (10-4).

When: 9 p.m. Monday.

Where: Toyota Center, Kennewick, Wash.