Nicholas Petit-Frere primed to crack Tennessee Titans Week 1 line-up
NASHVILLE — Rookie Nicholas Petit-Frere is gaining ground in his first season with the Tennessee Titans. Training camp competition will continue, but the open job at right tackle seemed less available on Monday. Certainly, where practice reps were concerned. Petit-Frere got the start on the right side and played at left in Saturday's preseason win against […]
NASHVILLE — Rookie Nicholas Petit-Frere is gaining ground in his first season with the Tennessee Titans. Training camp competition will continue, but the open job at right tackle seemed less available on Monday.
Certainly, where practice reps were concerned.
Petit-Frere got the start on the right side and played at left in Saturday's preseason win against the Tampa Bay Bucs. 10 days ago in Baltimore, the third-round pick did just the opposite. How Petit-Frere officially locks down a starting spot in entirely within his grasp.
There has not been much evidence of a better option on the roster for Tennessee.
Petit-Frere in the driver's seat at right tackle
Two days removed from starting against Tampa, Petit-Frere took all of the first-team reps on the right side.
Dillon Radunz, who opened camp at the favorite to fill the Titans tackle need, did not even work at tackle in Monday's session. The second-year offensive lineman worked with the second group at guard. Petit-Frere getting work at both ends has made his versatility a plus to Tennessee's coaching staff.
Three weeks from the regular season opener with the New York Giants, though, means the best player at right tackle needs to be getting a majority of available snaps.
"Just trying to shuffle guys around and see," coach Mike Vrabel said of the two linemen. "Had some guys out, and just trying to figure out where guys are going to be best served for themselves and for us."
Starting right guard Nate Davis warmed up with the team, but went inside the facility early not to return.
Jamarco Jones and Christian DiLauro also did not practice on Monday. Take Vrabel at his word that they were looking to give guys different looks across mixed and matched front five. Radunz' work today, however, was the most he's done on the interior than at any other point in Titans camp. There is a strong feeling within the organization that Petit-Frere is the better alternative.
Whether Tennessee has a Week 1-ready option at right tackle is still up for debate.
Featured Image: USA TODAY Sports.
