Kristian Fulton is making excuses that nobody wants to hear
NASHVILLE — They say that the definition of insanity is doing the same things repetitively and expecting different results. If that's the case, the Tennessee Titans might be insane to keep playing Kristian Fulton on Sundays. To call Fulton's 2023 season a roller coaster would be underselling his struggles. To this point, it's looked more […]
NASHVILLE — They say that the definition of insanity is doing the same things repetitively and expecting different results. If that's the case, the Tennessee Titans might be insane to keep playing Kristian Fulton on Sundays.
To call Fulton's 2023 season a roller coaster would be underselling his struggles. To this point, it's looked more like a drop tower plummeting towards the ground. Fulton has continuously made mistakes down the field that have resulted in explosive pass plays for the opponent and untimely penalties.
But even worse than his play are Fulton's postgame interviews and the excuses that nobody wants to hear.
"It's hard when you gotta play against the refs and the receivers," Fulton said to Turron Davenport in the locker room at Lucas Oil Stadium after the Titans lost to the division rival Colts.
Fulton specifically took exception to the pass interference call against him in the fourth quarter when Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce ran into him after putting a double move on him.
"He pushed me over. I thought I was square. That's part of the game. For me personally…bad call. That's life as a db and that's what it is," said Fulton.
But Fulton's postgame comments didn't stop there. Not only was the former second-round draft pick pointing the finger at the officials after the game, he actually doubled down on the fact that he played well as an individual.
"I feel like I was very [technically] sound today," said Fulton when Davenport asked him about his recent struggles. "Besides one play, the one with 11 where he caught the out – that was on me, I guess – but for the most part I think today was technically sound."
So there you have it. By Fulton's account, only one bad play was actually on him on Sunday, and even then he could only muster up an "I guess" when admitting fault. I'm not sure who else this one would be on. Turf monster maybe? Jim Irsay for leaving the roof open with a light rain?
After the game, Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel said that the team considered pulling Fulton from the game at one point.
Vrabel told Titans media that Tennessee's coaching staff talked to Fulton about being ready for double moves at halftime. Fulton then fell for a double move and got called for a 16-yard pass interference on 3rd and 12 in the fourth quarter.
"We gotta make sure to keep our eyes on our man and not in the backfield," Vrabel said while reflecting on Fulton's performance. "We're not going to intercept the football in man coverage. Our job in man coverage is to let our guy catch the ball. We can't go looking for interceptions in man coverage."
It's Week 5 and the Titans are still saying and doing the same things as they were when they lost to the New Orleans Saints in Week 1. Can't have eyes in the backfield, need to be technically sound, etc.
Was Fulton the only problem the Titans defense had on Sunday? Absolutely not. It's not even fair to put the entire weight of the game on his shoulders. But it's undeniable at this point that Fulton has been detrimental to the Titans' defense this season.
Fulton has tackled well when given the opportunity, but his mistakes are way to common, way too big, and absolutely back-breaking for Tennessee.
Fulton has allowed at least a handful of explosive passing plays in just four games played and leads the NFL in defensive pass interference penalties. Fulton has racked up 118 penalty yards against him in four games, many of those yards coming in crucial situations and giving the opponent a first down.
But as I said earlier, Fulton's poor play is made even worse by his lack of self awareness or accountability. Blaming the officials and claiming to be technically sound after a day like Sunday is not a good look.
Jeffery Simmons is in the locker room with his hand up saying "I wasn't good enough." Arden Key is in the locker room saying "we just got our a** whooped." Kevin Byard is in the locker room pointing out how the Titans didn't do enough to prevent explosive plays or penalties that create explosive plays.
Kristian Fulton is in the locker room blaming the officials and patting himself on the back. That speaks volumes.
Nobody wants the excuses. Read the room. It's time for results. If those result don't come quick, the Titans may need to look at other options at cornerback. Maybe that's already overdue at this point.
Kristian Fulton makes an incredibly bold prediction about his health
He clearly does not lack confidence heading into 2023.
