The Titans preseason opener went down last night up in Green Bay. A trio of Packers quarterbacks performed well in a 31-17 rout of the Titans. With the starters only getting a handful of plays, our look at the first team was extremely limited, but there’s still plenty to talk about. Forgive me for getting this out the morning after – I left a day job happy hour to get home and catch the game on time, and was still tired from our escapades in Chattanooga last weekend. Your boy fell asleep before the game was over last night.
Big Natural’s Thoughts on the Titans Preseason Opener
*CONFIRMED: Mike Vrabel most handsome man on the field. Could still whip every other NFL coach’s ass.
*We got one good look at the Titans first team offense. But since Corey Davis, Rishard Matthews, and Delanie Walker all sat this one out, that unit still wasn’t complete. That said, fans and analysts alike were getting pretty nervous about how this offense was coming along. Turns out, maybe the sky isn’t falling after all. Specifically, quarterback Marcus Mariota looked sharp, going 2/3 for 42 yards and a touchdown pass.
Mariota ➡️ @DariusJennings_ Touchdown #TENvsGB
Scoring Drive: 9 plays, 71 yards, 4:38 pic.twitter.com/vWcMUmmWZ0
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) August 10, 2018
The execution on that play was phenomenal – Nick Williams laying a nice clean pick, Darius Jennings finding the right spot, Jonnu Smith pulling coverage upfield, the offensive line holding off the rush, and Mariota throwing a perfectly timed and placed ball. If the offense can execute like this, then there’s absolutely nothing to worry about. Hell of a play.
*Happy to report for the first time this season that Dennis Kelly is still producing touchdowns for this Titans offense.
*The defensive back depth on this team is absolutely insane. Yes, Malcolm Butler got beat on a deep pass, but that was a hell of a throw by Brett Hundley, tossing it a step away from Butler and guiding his man off the coverage. Otherwise, a nice showing by the unit as a whole. And, if you didn’t notice LeShaun Sims last night, then you’re crazy. Damon Webb was another depth standout, breaking up a pass and generating some pressure in the pass rush, too. The Titans could use some productive depth at safety.
*Jayon Brown took a bad angle on the Jamaal Williams touchdown, but otherwise, had a productive night. I expect he’s going to see the field more in 2018.
*Nick Williams was all over the field between offense and special teams last night. It’s obvious the coaching staff has an interest in the guy and wanted to get a good look at him.
*I was pretty impressed with the depth at pass rusher. Sure, it’s not like they were going up against the starting offensive line, but Harold Landry and Sharif Finch both made plays. And, Gimel President had a nice rush that led to a Hundley interception.
OK Rookie! #TitanUp@HaroldLandry III makes his presence known with a sack/forced fumble. pic.twitter.com/BrwXlXntnF
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) August 10, 2018
*Not a good night for Rico Gafford. He’s been one of the best stories of camp so far, but he didn’t do the most with the opportunity he was given. He got beat badly on a couple of plays and was called for a pretty egregious pass interference foul, and if I’m not mistaken, he was called for holding at one point, too.
*We got a good long look at RB Akrum Wadley last night. I noted the other day that his surpassing David Fluellen on the depth chart was pretty surprising, but after last night, you definitely see the long-term vision. The kid’s explosive. Aside from a lost fumble, he looked pretty good. His nine carries and three receptions was the largest workload on offense last night.
With the game essentially out of reach, @akrum_wadley rips off a big return on the kickoff to set up Luke Falk and the #Titans with great field position. The undrafted former #Hawkeye has moves pic.twitter.com/fKqi99oOuR
— Titans Film Room (@titansfilmroom) August 10, 2018
The next game is Saturday August 18th against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Nashville. Your boy will be out at practice tomorrow, so if you’re there, come say hey.
Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD and #BeBetter. “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Alabama Crimson Tide football, the WWE, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley
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