Why one former Titan isn't concerned about Treylon Burks' conditioning
Titans Twitter has been an unruly and unhinged bunch through the 2022 NFL offseason. After chewing up and spitting out QB Ryan Tannehill and OC Todd Downing, Treylon Burks has been on the receiving end of scrutiny due to the rookie wide receiver appearing to be out of shape in rookie minicamp and OTAs. For […]
Titans Twitter has been an unruly and unhinged bunch through the 2022 NFL offseason. After chewing up and spitting out QB Ryan Tannehill and OC Todd Downing, Treylon Burks has been on the receiving end of scrutiny due to the rookie wide receiver appearing to be out of shape in rookie minicamp and OTAs.
For most first-round picks draft night is all about the player selected. However in Burks' case, the conversation was centered around WR A.J. Brown, who the Titans traded to the Philadelphia Eagles in order to move up to No. 18 and select the Arkansas product.
While it might not be fair, Burks will always be compared to Brown and his production during the three years he spent in Tennessee. That’s how trades work in professional sports. There has to be a winner and there has to be a loser.
The standard fans have set for Burks is certainly a high bar. It’s not unattainable, but he is likely to be under the most pressure of any rookie in Titans history.
Former Titan and current free agent Daren Bates joined the Titan Up Podcast to give his thoughts on the situation.
Bates had a theory on why Burks might have looked out of shape in rookie minicamp and when the media was allowed to spectate on Day 2 of team OTAs:
“Burks has been on 12 visits since the draft. When does he have time to train when he’s going to meetings, going out to dinner because this person wants to take him out here?”
All of Burks’ training leading up to the combine does not compare to what the Titans will ask of him now that offseason activities are underway. But it’s important to remember that he barely has a week of NFL practice experience under his belt.
Titans fans could be suffering from Isaiah Wilson P.T.S.D, but just because the Panda was lazy and out of shape does not mean that it’s time to write Burks off. Like the trade on draft night, Burks has nothing to do with some of the team’s first round failures and should not have to pay for Jon Robinson’s past sins.
As it pertains to the start of training camp in late July, Bates does not believe conditioning will be an issue.
“I guarantee come training camp that man is going to be right," said Bates who hosts the Raw Room podcast.
It’s a tense time to be a Titans fan. There are more than a few questions relating to the team’s future plans at quarterback and the fanbase is wondering if the Titans missed its Super Bowl window.
The fact of the matter is that the Titans will look much different on offense this season. Just because Burks doesn’t look the part through one measly week of OTAs does not mean he won’t be ready to roll by Week 1.
Though they share many of the same physical attributes, Burks wasn’t drafted to be Brown. They are two completely different players.
Burks will have the offseason to learn Downing’s system and build a rapport with Tannehill. Growing pains are inevitable, but now is not the time to panic.
Full interview with Daren Bates on the Titan Up Podcast:
Featured image via George Walker IV / Tennessean.com / USA TODAY NETWORK
