Three Tennessee Titans player who need to bounce back in Minnesota
This Saturday, the Tennessee Titans will have another chance to see how they stack up against an opponent when they can take on the Minnesota Vikings in a preseason bout. For some players on the Titans' roster, Saturday is a chance to continue the positive momentum they gained in Chicago. For others, it's an opportunity […]
This Saturday, the Tennessee Titans will have another chance to see how they stack up against an opponent when they can take on the Minnesota Vikings in a preseason bout.
For some players on the Titans' roster, Saturday is a chance to continue the positive momentum they gained in Chicago. For others, it's an opportunity to turn things around and put a rough game against he Bears in the rearview mirror.
Here are three Titans players that need to bounce back for Saturday's preseason game against the Minnesota Vikings.
1. TE Josh Whyle
It’s not exactly a hot take to say that Titans rookie tight end Josh Whyle needs to bounce back from his performance in Chicago.
Tennessee’s fifth-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft had two major mistakes in the preseason opener against the Bears that cost his team greatly. Whyle had a pass from quarterback Malik Willis hit off his hands, resulting in an interception for the Bears. Had Whyle caught the pass, the Titans would have picked up a first down with the ball in the red zone.
Later in the first half, Will Levis connected with Whyle on a short pass to convert on 3rd-and-one, but Whyle fumbled the ball at the end of the play, once again turning the ball over to Chicago.
That’s two mistakes and two turnovers, both canceling potential first downs and turning the ball over in opponent territory.
Mike Vrabel and the Titans' brand of football is all about winning the turnover battle and limiting major mistakes. Whyle is at no risk of getting cut and he definitely has what it takes to be a playmaker in the NFL, but sloppy mistakes like this can’t happen. He would be (and was) the first to tell you that.
"There's a lot to improve on. Having two turnovers today…that's tough. It's unacceptable," said Whyle after the game.
2. K Trey Wolff
Titans kicker Trey Wolff did not get his professional career off to the best start in Chicago. Wolff attempted just one field goal against the Bears, a 48-yard kick which he missed wide right.
Titans special teams coordinator, Craig Aukerman said that Wolff overestimated the wind and aimed too far right on his attempt.
I don’t think this miss is the last straw for Wolff. I’m not even convinced Caleb Shudak, who had a blunder on kickoff, is even ahead in the battle right now. That said, Wolff cannot afford to miss any more kicks this preseason.
The former Texas Tech Red Raider has a strong leg that gives Tennessee a lot of range in end of game scenarios. That’s extremely valuable. But if you miss the kicks inside 50, none of it matters.
Wolff is somebody who needs to go out and put a few footballs through the uprights in Minnesota – especially with the game being played indoors.
3. OT Andrew Rupcich
Quite honestly, this one could apply to all of the second-team offensive linemen on the Titans' roster. After a really solid drive from Malik Willis behind Tennessee’s starting offensive line, the protection for Willis and rookie Will Levis down the stretch was lackluster at best.
Andrew Rupcich in particular was somebody I felt had a huge opportunity in front of him, but had really tough day in Chicago.
Rupcich lead all Titans offensive lineman with 44 offenses snaps played on Saturday, but allowed five pressures and got called for a holding penalty. Five pressures on 32 pass block snaps is…not good enough.
Chris Hubbard is currently taking reps as Tennessee’s starting right tackle, but beyond him, there are roster spots up for grabs. I single Rupcich out more than I do Zack Johnson (who struggled just as much, if not more in Chicago) because training camp rotations lead me to believe that Rupcich has a legitimate chance to make the 53-man roster.
That being said, it won't happen if his performance doesn't improve significantly over the next few weeks.
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