NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The offense had to be better, and like with every team in the NFL, the Titans sold hope through the offseason.
What we heard about Tim Kelly’s offense and then what we saw at training camp looked and sounded good, and the weaponry seemed upgraded with DeAndre Hopkins taking over at the head of the line with the receivers, Treylon Burks and Chig Okonkwo maturing heading into Year Two and Tyjae Spears bringing a new element to the backfield.
Now, three games in, a team that averaged 17.5 points in 2022 is averaging 15 points and has failed to score a touchdown in each of its losses.
So yeah, it’s been terrible so far.
Tim Kelly on self-evaluating. #Titans pic.twitter.com/cndGllo13q
— Paul Kuharsky (@PaulKuharskyNFL) September 28, 2023
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And there is plenty to talk about. Massive pass protection issues mean tight ends and backs have to stay into help even against four-man rushes, and three receivers against seven defenders in coverage are not capable of separating to allow things to happen.
But for those calling Kelly an outright failure, a terrible hire, a guy who should be fired, I take you back to 2019, the first of Arthur Smith’s two years as offensive coordinator.
The #Titans should be looking for a new offensive coordinator now- even if they don’t fire Arthur Smith today (which they should) https://t.co/kSWbbsE7TG
— Music City Miracles (@TitansMCM) November 4, 2019
what is it going to take for the Titans to fire Arthur Smith
— Daveed (@supasvm) October 14, 2019
FIRE ARTHUR SMITH
— Chase Alford ?? (@ItzCrazzo) October 27, 2019
This fire Vrabel outrage is unreal. These delusional impatient fans. Crying they would kill for Mike Mularkey back.Same fans who wanted MM8 to keep playing. Same fans that are Adoree lovers. Lets see how the season ends. Theres a lot of football to play still. Fire Arthur Smith
— Black Dougy (@BlackDougyFIFA) October 28, 2019
@Titans if you don't fire arthur smith after this week just cancel the rest of the season.
— jackmerkle (@jackmerkle) November 3, 2019
Why would they wait until the end of the season to fire Arthur Smith? Why would they even wait until the end of the game? Just let Dean Pees call plays on both side. #Titans
— Jason A. Williams (@J_Williams79) November 3, 2019
Arthur Smith is a joke as OC. Ducking clueless and game planning is horrible. Question how the hell he wa even considered for this position. Please fire him ASAP. Get an OC that can create explosive plays. You guys killed Mariota. He’s a scramble roll out up tempo guy
— Biga034 (@biga034) November 1, 2019
And the Titans react to being down 9 on the 4th quarter by running it up the fucking gut with Henry, I am so done with this fucking offense. Fire Arthur Smith.
— shylax (@shyloelliott) November 10, 2019
I think the @Titans could (should) fire Arthur Smith if (when) our offense looks archaic against the Chiefs by comparison. With the bye week following, look for a promotion from on staff. Hopefully Rob Moore. So the receivers can be in the game-plan
— Titans Outsider (@titans_0utsider) November 4, 2019
Now some of those were from before the Titans flipped from a struggling Marcus Mariota to Ryan Tannehill on Oct. 26. But a good share were also after that.
Tennessee finished 12th in yards and 10th in points in 2019, and in Smith's second year, the Titans were fourth in yards and second in points -- numbers that had not been better since the 1990 Houston Oilers.
Smith was hired by the Atlanta Falcons as their head coach following that season.
I'm not saying Kelly is going to follow a similar path.
I am saying a three-game judgment and decrees about him right now are probably not wise.