NASHVILLE — Offensive coordinator Todd Downing is an easy target to scapegoat for how the Tennessee Titans season ended. Just as Tennessee fans wanted to run defensive play-caller Shane Bowen out of town in 2020, Downing and his quarterback bore the brunt of that rage this offseason.

A failure like the Titans had in January was always going to evoke certain emotions.

This season poses a new challenge for Downing to further elevate Tennessee's offense. He will still have to find ways to escape the shadow of former Titans offensive coordinator (now Atlanta Falcons head coach) Arthur Smith. He will have to do it without star wide out A.J. Brown and with plenty of valid questions surrounding Derrick Henry.

Downing, to his credit, seems pretty self-aware.

Downing "not hiding from" Titans slow starts

Tennessee ranked 22nd in first-quarter scoring last season.

Their 3.4 point average in opening frames was better than only two other teams that made the 2021 playoffs (Packers 3.2, Steelers 2.1). Plenty of valid reasons can be provided for the Titans dip in offensive productivity year over year, but the drop-off was severe. Under Smith in 2020, Tennessee jumped on top of their opponents early and often averaging 6.2 points per first quarter.

It was among several things that the Titans OC self-scouted this offseason.

"We didn't do a good enough job early in games last year" said Downing. "I'm not hiding from that. I completely understand that as a piece of being able to start faster and put our defense in a better position. There's a lot that goes into that."

Less predictability would be the ideal place to start.

The entire NFL knows that Tennessee wants to run the football. There is nothing wrong with this concept at all based on the roster construction and the obvious desire to play to your personnel's strengths. That identity did not have the desired effect on early downs, however.

Downing's offense ran the football on first down 299 times in 2021, 25 more carries than the next closest team (Vikings), according to Sports Info Solutions. 130 (1st) of those times, the ball carrier was hit at the line. 61 (1s) of those plays saw the Titans stuffed behind the line of scrimmage.

The numbers are similar on second down as well.

Downing called runs a league-leading 79 times on 2nd-and-7+. Tennessee's offense averaged 4.7 yards per carry on those plays, but made life significantly harder on themselves than need be.

Reason for optimism on Tennessee's tendencies

Attrition was the root of the Titans issues last season, full stop.

Downing's offense can certainly stand to get more creative. Quarterback Ryan Tannehill could definitely help things by elevating his own game. As Tennessee shuffled its player personnel this season, they brought in former Houston Texans offensive coordinator Tim Kelly to help with the passing game.

"It's been great to add (Tim)," said Downing. "He's a great football mind. Obviously, a fantastic person, somebody who has relationships in this building. That helps integrate him a little bit quicker. For me, it's been spectacular just to have another sounding board. Somebody to talk through ideas with, be able to look at things a different way."

Downing served in a similar role with the Minnesota Vikings in 2018 after the Oakland Raiders staff he was a part of was fired for Jon Gruden and Co. Having familiarity and experience with what a passing game coordinator role might look like for the Titans can only benefit Downing, Kelly and the players as they look to adapt.

One of the biggest storylines heading into 2022 for Tennessee was how, if at all, they would adapt their offensive philosophy. Incorporating Kelly into this coaching staff is the first step in that process.

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Featured Image: USA TODAY Sports.