One obvious solution to the Titans' biggest problem
The answer to the Tennessee Titans’ most glaring deficiency happens to be right in front of its face. Chigonometry Though the Titans fell to the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, tight end Chig Okonkwo once again proved that he deserves a larger role in the offense. Okonkwo finished the day with team highs in receptions (4) […]
The answer to the Tennessee Titans’ most glaring deficiency happens to be right in front of its face.
Chigonometry
Though the Titans fell to the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday, tight end Chig Okonkwo once again proved that he deserves a larger role in the offense.
Okonkwo finished the day with team highs in receptions (4) and receiving yards (68). His 41-yard catch and run was Tennessee’s biggest play of the day. It was his third reception of at least 41 yards on the year and fourth catch of at least 30 yards, all of which have come within the last five weeks.
Okonkwo now has 15 catches on the season for 275 yards, averaging a whopping 18.3 yards per catch. He ranks third in the NFL in yards per reception, trailing the Gabe Davis and the injured Rashon Bateman (19.0), along with DeVante Parker (18.96) for players with at least 10 catches.
For a team that struggles to hit explosive plays in the passing game, it’s a shame as to why Tennessee continues to ignore one of its most dynamic playmakers.
Offensive coordinator Todd Downing was the tight end’s coach when Jonnu Smith was exploiting mismatches with his athleticism. If anybody knows how valuable an ultra-athletic tight end is to the Titans’ offense, it should be him.
With Treylon Burks leaving the game with a concussion, the Titans offense, which was already short on talent at the receiver position, should lean on Okonkwo if Burks is to miss any time.
It’s no secret that the Titans’ offense goes as Derrick Henry goes. Henry has averaged just 2.77 yards per carry over his last four games and the Titans haven’t been to get anything going through the air.
Okonkwo opens up the opportunity for Downing to get creative through the air, avoiding the one dimensionality that has been plaguing his unit.
Nobody makes the easy things look difficult quite like the Titans. To modify a famous phrase once said by Titans legend Delanie Walker:
Use An Effing Tight End!
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