Overweight White creates problem for Titans backfield

Filed in archive NFL on May 27, 2007

Courtesy Scout.com

LenDale White is fat. There's just no sugarcoating it (White's lips are probably smacking at the mere mention of the word sugar).

This is the self-proclaimed starting running back for the Tennessee Titans, since the departure of Travis Henry for Denver.

White starred alongside Reggie Bush at USC, where White, a bulldozing punisher, was the perfect Yin to the speedy Bush's Yang.

Unlike Bush, who flourished in his rookie season in new orleans, White languished on the bench and at the fast-food line, behind the hard-working Henry. While Henry was pounding out yardage, White was just adding pounds.

This season, though, was to be a different story. Nothing was in White's path to a spot in Tennessee's starting backfield. Nothing, that is, except chocolate, cheeseburgers and just about any kind of deep-fried potato.

White reported to Titans mini-camp at a monstrous 253 pounds -- 18 more than what the Tennessee coaches believe White's playing weight to be.

Now, with Henry gone, the Titans have to rely on a rookie, Chris Henry, who has 900 yards in three college seasons, to compete with the portly White for the responsibility of carrying the load at running back.

Maybe Tennessee should sign up Duncan Donuts as a sponsor and hang a baker's dozen on the uprights. When White sees a few eclairs, he might just be unstoppable.

If this unorthodox tactic doesn't work, though, Tennessee may have a serious problem at running back.