Why one coach believes Kyle Philips could impact the Titans' return game
If Titans fans are worried about certain rookie camp performances, the Kyle Philips hype machine is already locked and loaded. Phillips‘ perceived immediate impact is helping Tennessee fans get past the unsettling first looks at Treylon Burks, and take their minds off the recent shortcomings at quarterback. After being drafted in the fifth round of […]
If Titans fans are worried about certain rookie camp performances, the Kyle Philips hype machine is already locked and loaded. Phillips‘ perceived immediate impact is helping Tennessee fans get past the unsettling first looks at Treylon Burks, and take their minds off the recent shortcomings at quarterback.
After being drafted in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, Philips has garnered plenty of positive buzz as the team officially begins mandatory minicamp.
The Titans underwent an overhaul at the wide receiver position this offseason, parting ways with A.J. Brown, Julio Jones, and Chester Rogers. While QB Ryan Tannehill will spend the next three months and beyond building a rapport and earning the trust of his new pass catchers, the early returns on Philips are shaping up well.
Versatility is what can separate Philips from the rest of the pack. He will undoubtedly contribute on offense this season, but Titans special teams coach Craig Aukerman believes that Philips can help the team out in the return game as well.
“Kyle brings a lot of good things for us,” said Aukerman. “One thing that we liked watching him at UCLA is, when he caught the ball, he would run and get vertical. There wasn’t a lot of dancing around, trying to make too many moves – he was just going to catch it and go upfield.”
Philips returned 26 punts at UCLA, averaging an extremely efficient 19.3 yards per return. Two of those punts he returned went for touchdowns, including this 82-yard house call against Colorado last season.
Aukerman mentioned that Philips will be competing with Mason Kinsey and Amani Hooker for the job as punt returner. He’s also expected to battle for the kick returning duties with Trenton Cannon, Racey McMath, and Reggie Roberson Jr.
The Titans weren’t particularly awful with Rogers filling in as the punt returner last year. He finished fifth in the NFL in punt return yards with an average of 9.77 yards per return – tied with the Raiders’ Hunter Renfrow.
Instead of retaining Rogers to primarily contribute in the return game, the Titans would surely prefer a player to field punts on top of contributing in the passing game.
Rogers caught 30 balls for 301 yards and a touchdown in 16 games last season. Philips will have the opportunities necessary to exceed those numbers while playing a role on special teams — if that is the direction Aukerman and the Titans choose to take.
Usually the NFL’s preseason is terribly boring for fans of teams loaded with veterans and expectations to contend for a division title. However, Philips’ development should provide Titans fans with at least one reason to watch the exhibitions. All aboard the Kyle Philips hype train.
Featured image via Stan Szeto – USA TODAY Sports
