BALTIMORE — The NFL World swooned over rookie quarterback Malik Willis on Thursday night. Despite the Tennessee Titans loss 23-10 to the Baltimore Ravens, Willis showcased his wide-ranging abilities in ways that gave the exhibition game life.

Keep your powder dry, as coach Dave McGinnis would say.

Willis started the game for Tennessee and had plenty of moments to keep an audience desperate for football of any kind engaged. The Titans third-round pick out of Liberty completed six of his eleven passing attempts for 107 yards. Willis was sacked twice for a loss of thirteen total, but made up for it with his legs on five carries for 38 yards and a rushing score.

Is that enough to officially declare Willis as quarterback Ryan Tannehill's back-up in Tennessee?

Willis was far from perfect against the Ravens

Look no further than coach Mike Vrabel for some necessary constructive criticism.

"He needs to try and throw the ball when guys are open," said Vrabel of the Titans rookie. "Be more decisive. So, we'll evaluate that and we'll see if there is a timing issue or what's going on. Wanted to get him out there and wanted to see how he responded."

Side arm throws and touchdown runs are one thing, but Tennessee's coaching staff needs more from Willis than that.

Willis wants the big play, sometimes to his detriment. What we saw on Thursday night in Baltimore was the same kind of issues the quarterback displayed in college. Chunk plays are critical. Pursuit of them, however, cannot come at the neglect of short gains or even throwing the ball away and surviving for another down.

The Ravens pass rush capitalized several times for exactly that reason. Willis is not the first, nor will be the last uber athletic quarterback to defer too quickly to make a spectacular play. Willis clearly has the confidence to try any number of throws off-platform, but discipline and practicality will also be required as he becomes more well-rounded at the position.

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It is precisely why Vrabel felt the need to take Willis out after a 17-yard rushing gain two plays into the third quarter.

"A young quarterback, to step back in there with a live rush and seeing coverage," Vrabel said. "That's why we have these preseason games. That's why I wanted to put him out there, that's why I wanted him to take the ball. To put him in those situations, that's the only way that you can grow."

Tennessee's coach acknowledged the play-making ability that Willis has with his legs while adding that they're simply looking to marry that with good decision-making in the passing game. Vrabel also made it clear that the reason they took Willis out when they did was because he was consistently not throwing to open receivers.

Everyone watching the Titans play the Ravens on Thursday saw Willis do things current second-stringer Logan Woodside could not even imagine executing. There is zero argument to be had around who is the more athletically gifted player. Woodside certainly did nothing to earn his future roster spot in Baltimore, either.

Willis' abilities remain super raw, and Tennessee needs an improved sample size before they can fully trust him.

Featured Image: USA TODAY Sports.