I don’t think this Tennessee Titans team is very good at 4-4. That probably won’t be a very popular take here in Nashville. But, I don’t know what you guys have been watching for the last two Sundays. First, it took a miracle goal-line fumble from Melvin Gordon for the Titans to beat the Los Angeles Chargers. Then, it took the refs blowing the whistle too early for some reason to keep a Bucs touchdown off the board last week (shout to Brett Kern for being alive after that fake field goal). This team could easily be 2-6 (I’ll acknowledge that a few plays going the other way could make this a 6-2 team, and that we really don’t know what the fuck this team is).
With all the talent on this roster, I think it’s fair to look at Mike Vrabel and Arthur Smith and question whether or not their decision-making has hamstrung this team a bit.
Exhibit A – The Fake Field Goal
Let’s talk about that fake field goal – I’m all for aggressiveness. For fuck’s sake, I was a Titans fan through all of those years of Jeff Fisher. I’m ELATED that there’s a coach in town who has the BDE to go for it. But, pick your spots, man! You hung your best player (that’s right, the punter) out to dry and he got damn near decapitated for it.
If the refs don’t inexplicably blow that play dead, it’s a Bucs touchdown and the Titans are trailing with only a few minutes left in the game. It’s probably a loss. But, it’s running the ball twice before that that also has me wondering what the hell is going on. If you’re going to be aggressive – why not try some crazy shit on FIRST down? Why are you just handing the ball off to Derrick Henry against the league’s best run defense?
Exhibit B – The Game Plan
Speaking of, you had a match-up against the BEST run defense in the NFL and the WORST pass defense in the NFL – and yet, you didn’t falter from your commitment to Henry. Maybe the Bucs defense softened up later in the game, but you SAW an immediate difference when throws started being made to wide receivers.
At one point in the game, Titans receivers combined for three catches, 14 yards, and a touchdown. I’m ecstatic that Jonnu Smith is blossoming into a weapon on this offense, but you HAVE to get Corey Davis, AJ Brown, Tajae Sharpe, and Adam Humphries more involved.
Plus, I don’t know what they were looking at that made them think they should stick with a run-heavy approach. If you took out 34-yard run in the first half, Henry was only averaging around two yards per carry.
The fact that the match-up called for more of a vertical passing game and we STAYED gettin’ handoffs to Henry is concerning. I question that game plan.
Exhibit C – The Final Drive
I don’t feel like that final drive is being talked about enough this week. Smith was calling plays like the Titans only had to burn 30 seconds. Handoff to Henry. Handoff to Henry. Ryan Tannehill escapes the pocket, tackled inbounds. Punt.
You’re telling me with the Bucs receivers torching the Titans the way they were, you’re content to leave them with time on the clock?
Where was all of this unnecessary aggression on this drive? I mean, you talk about finding a moment to cease and ensure victory – convert a first down on that drive and the game is over. So, why weren’t they calling plays to convert a first down?
Exhibit D – Mike Evans
Why in the rightful fuck was LeShaun Sims ever on Mike Evans one on one?
Conclusion
This is a talented roster. Wrong decisions in crucial moments in games could hamstring it. It’s important to remember that Vrabel and Smith are still fresh in these roles. But, we were talking about unnecessary aggression this time last year, too (Chargers 20, Titans 19). This is something the staff absolutely has to be better about.
I still love what Vrabel brings to the table from a ‘leader of men’ standpoint, but he has to start making better calls. I’m all for continuity as well, but Smith has to cook up something that isn’t so bland on offense.
If not, I don’t think this team’s winning many ball games.
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, Nashville, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley
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