COLUMN: Don't Expect Tim Kelly to Save the Titans' Problematic Offense
NASHVILLE, Tenn. ⏤ Throughout much of the 2021 season, the Tennessee Titans' offense was fundamentally broken. The unit scored on just three of its 18 opening drives and committed at least three turnovers in a whopping six games. At times, it was hard to watch. That's why throngs of Titans fans, many of whom had […]
NASHVILLE, Tenn. ⏤ Throughout much of the 2021 season, the Tennessee Titans' offense was fundamentally broken.
The unit scored on just three of its 18 opening drives and committed at least three turnovers in a whopping six games. At times, it was hard to watch.
That's why throngs of Titans fans, many of whom had been pining for offensive coordinator Todd Downing to lose his job, expressed delight at the team's decision to hire former Texans OC Tim Kelly as its passing game coordinator.
Adding Kelly is certainly a positive for the Titans; it was, perhaps, even a savvy move by head coach Mike Vrabel. It's not going to fix the offense, though.
COMPARING TO SCHWARTZ
Part of the reason Kelly's hiring brought some mild excitement with it is the natural comparison of his role to that of Titans senior defensive assistant Jim Schwartz⏤a comparison Vrabel hopped on board with.
"Tim Kelly will help the offense, very similar to how Jim Schwartz has on defense in his role," Vrabel told the Titans' team website.
"I really thought that was a positive thing for us, and I think that worked well for our defense. And I want to do the same thing on offense. Tim is a guy I know, and I have worked with and watched."
Schwartz was part of a massive defensive turnaround for the Titans in 2021, one year after the unit was consistently disheveled, disjointed and depressing to watch.
The keyword in that sentence, though, is "part." Schwartz wasn't the entire solution to a bad situation. He was part of the solution.
Shane Bowen was exceptional as the team's defensive coordinator in 2021, and the Titans' defensive personnel got a lot better thanks to an aggressive offseason push by general manager Jon Robinson.
Unless similar factors occur with the Titans' offense, don't expect Kelly's presence to alter the unit's results very much.
If Todd Downing continues to call uncreative plays, no amount of "mentoring" from Kelly⏤six years Downing's junior, by the way⏤will save the Titans.
If QB Ryan Tannehill is still being pass protected by David Quessenberry and throwing to Chester Rogers, the offense will not progress.
MORE DIFFERENCES
Plus, the issues with the Titans' offense⏤bad playcalling, underwhelming skill-position depth and a suddenly turnover-prone quarterback⏤are vastly different than what plagued Tennessee's defense in 2020⏤bad communication and a confusing scheme.
Those two things are what Schwartz helped to fix. Kelly isn't going to fix Tannehill, Downing, or the roster.
Kelly also doesn't have nearly the pedigree that Schwartz does. Schwartz has a Super Bowl ring, and his defenses have been some of the NFL's fiercest over the last two decades.
On the other hand, Kelly's best resume points in running an offense are…making QB Davis Mills look semi-serviceable in the NFL's 30th ranked offense in 2021 and finishing in the middle of the pack with Deshaun Watson in 2019.
Kelly will be helpful, no doubt. He can give the Titans valuable insight, and perhaps he can be a sounding board for Downing in the way Schwartz is for Bowen.
He's not the savior, though. Much work remains to be done.
- Kelly image: Troy Taormina/USA Today
- Downing image: Christopher Hanewinckel/USA Today
