The Titans are in a lose-lose situation
After a deficient start to the 2022 season by former first round pick Caleb Farley, the Tennessee Titans have found themselves backed into a lose-lose situation for the future. Farley, a cornerback drafted with the 22nd overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft by the Titans, has not gotten off to the start he hoped […]
After a deficient start to the 2022 season by former first round pick Caleb Farley, the Tennessee Titans have found themselves backed into a lose-lose situation for the future.
Farley, a cornerback drafted with the 22nd overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft by the Titans, has not gotten off to the start he hoped for in his first real taste of the NFL. After missing most of his rookie year with injuries (including a torn ACL), Farley’s 2022 campaign has been frustrating for all parties involved.
Farley has been prone to surrendering explosive plays in man coverage, as displayed on Dyami Brown’s 75-yard touchdown from Carson Wentz on Sunday.
In a Titans defense that has struggled with giving up the big play, Farley’s production has been detrimental at times, leading Titans coaches to take away his snaps and let someone else (Terrance Mitchell) have their shot at it.
That’s where the situation gets complicated.
Being a first round draft pick that hasn’t played much football, Farley desperately needs in-game repetitions if he is going to continue to grow as a player.
On one hand, you need to continue developing him, as he is too important to jeopardize his future just eight games into his career.
On the other, you need to do what’s best for your football team, and your defense can’t afford to give up any more explosive plays.
Both options hurt the other. So what do you do?
The Titans have made it clear that they’re more than willing to bench Farley for the sake of the defense, regardless of the affects it may have on his confidence. After Brown scored the long touchdown on Sunday, Farley was benched, and did not play many defensive snaps for the remainder of the game.
Titans secondary coach Anthony Midget spoke to the media on Monday, and discussed how he will balance the decision moving forward.
“The deal is, if you’re playing in this league, you better have some confidence if you’re playing outside,” Midget said.
Midget also emphasized that the standard for Farley is the same standard for every player on the defense.
“This is not just with Caleb, tis with anybody,” Midget said. “If we’re not doing the things we want to get accomplished on the field, we’re going to see if the next guy can get it done. We just got to continue to work and get better and limit these explosive plays we’re giving up because we can’t continue to do that.”
The Titans coaching staff has their opinion, and you may have yours, but here’s mine:
The Titans have mishandled this situation and moving froward, Caleb Farley needs to be afforded the chance to fail.
This whole thing is probably a Catch-22, but regardless, I’m not ready to write Farley off, and developing him should still be a priority. He’s played eight games in his NFL career.
Being a defensive back in the NFL is about being confident, and I’m not going to put words in Farley’s mouth, but watching him play, he looks like he is second guessing things out there. He isn’t moving as fast or as fluid as he does tape.
So much of playing defensive back is instinctive, trusting yourself, and letting your athleticism take over. To me, Farley is too worried about the consequences of making a mistake that he isn’t trusting his instincts or skills.
Giving him the opportunity to fail, learn, and grow could help with that.
Yes, that sucks and yes, the Titans defense needs to limit big plays down the field. But that’s the bed you made when you drafted Farley and opted to go into the season with a young and inexperienced secondary.
The Titans now have to lay in it. You drafted him and invested in him, and now it’s time to see that through.
If it doesn’t work, it doesn’t work, but until Elijah Molden returns from injury, I would at least go down swinging and give him every chance to prove himself.
Image via Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
