Titans assistant frustrated with lack of focus
Tennessee Titans offensive line coach Keith Carter has been frustrated with the way his unit has performed over the last few weeks, citing a lack of focus and inconsistency as the current hurdles they will have to get over. Despite some improved execution in running schemes and 121 yards on the ground for running back […]
Tennessee Titans offensive line coach Keith Carter has been frustrated with the way his unit has performed over the last few weeks, citing a lack of focus and inconsistency as the current hurdles they will have to get over.
Despite some improved execution in running schemes and 121 yards on the ground for running back Derrick Henry last week, the Titans offensive line continued to struggle with pass protection and penalties. Carter explained it as "shooting themselves in the foot."
With a roster that lacks a talent advantage over opponents, Tennessee's offense is dependent on staying on schedule, wearing a defense down, and chewing clock to be productive. Those negative plays that put the offense behind the sticks effectively kill a drive when they occur. They also put Ryan Tannehill at risk of taking a hit.
While Carter was encouraged by the improvement in run blocking, the Titans fifth-year offensive line coach clearly shares the growing frustration of the fanbase with the penalties up front.
"Oh man, I'm with you. We've just got to lock in," said Carter when asked about penalties killing offensive drives. "It's one of those things where it's time to draw a line in the sand and focus up. It starts here in practice. I think we probably need to do a better job in practice."
Carter told me that the Titans have prioritized getting off the ball quickly in the running game, but acknowledged that everybody needs to be more disciplined at moving at the motion of the ball, and not the motion of a defender or the sound of the quarterback's cadence.
Lazy practice habits will produce lazy game tape. Point blank. Talent aside, fundamental mistakes that result in drive-killing penalties are unacceptable. Lack of discipline is also a reflection of coaching. The Titans won't win many games moving forward if they can't stay focused before the snap.
What the Titans have been doing just isn't cutting it. We'll see if working in 2021 third-round draft pick Dillon Radunz at left tackle this week makes a difference in Los Angeles.
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