Titans Run Game, Situational Offense Show Progress Against Seahawks

Cam Ward took what Seattle gave him, the run game consistently found room and Tennessee finished strongly in hurry-up and 2-minute work.

By PAUL KUHARSKY

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Titans offense looked much better in its joint practice session against the Seahawks than it did last week in California against the 49ers, particularly in situational work: red zone, hurry-up, and 2-minute.

Cam Ward made solid decisions, though he was often forced to settle for underneath plays in the passing game. The run game was frequently effective, with at least a half dozen plays where backs ran through big holes that looked to be blocked up about perfectly.

The short passing game surrounded that, with some intermediate success and a few pass interference calls.

“We have to have a run game,” Ward said. “We were very average in the run game last year. But I think that's going to take a whole other level this year just because of the mindset that those front five guys have. They bring it each and every day. We're all going to continue to rely on those five guys to get us where we want to go. When they need us, we're going to be able to protect them as well.

“They made some holes for us for sure. And they were the first ones to the ball. They sprinted when the ball started yards past them. They're showing that urgency that we preach. And that goes a long way because it's hard for those guys to consistently do that in and out, each and every day. It's a lot on their bodies, but they continuously push through it. So I'm happy to have those guys in front of me.”

Tony Pollard looked good, as did Tyjae Spears, but it extended to Julius Chestnut, Michael Carter and even D’Ernest Johnson, who just arrived.

Overall, I thought the Titans offense thrived early – in seven-on-seven, red zone and early team. Then the Seattle defense adjusted and leveled things out in team, when Ty Okada picked Ward as he tried to find Carnell Tate over the middle, sure-handed Xavier Restrepo had a drop, the run defense tightened (with Chestnut taking a big pop from Dante Fowler in the backfield as one example) and Tate and Spears had consecutive drops.

But the Titans went hurry up with no-huddle and came back to life, finishing strong in that and 2-minute.

“They really don't give up the big play, so you got to be able to beat them with underneath footballs,” Ward said. “You got to beat them with right after catch for the receivers. You got to make those guys tackle. We stuck to what we felt like we had to do and had a productive day. It ended up paying dividends for us all throughout practice and something that me and the receivers got to continuously harp on: not overdo anything unless the time comes to it, but just play good sound football.”

More and more, that’s becoming who the Titans are, or need to be. Robert Saleh is encouraging Ward to make those choices.

Colleagues who watched the defense said its practice followed a similar pattern: Hot start, a lull and a strong finish, highlighted by Alontae Taylor’s pick-6 of Sam Darnold.

“Their four-man rushes are really, really good,” Darnold said. “And when they bring five- or six-man rushes and even when they bring fire zones, they’re really, really good. The back end is really good at disguising right now. They are showing a lot of different things, defensively. Without getting too far into the weeds they are doing a lot of great things. That defense is going to be really good this year.”

Elic Ayomanor Has Emerged as the No. 4 Receiver

Ayomanor had a nice deep chance very early in seven-on-seven but got rightly called for offensive pass interference for shoving off the defensive back.

A bit later in 11-on-11 red zone, Ward rolled right and threw a TD back across his body to Ayomanor, who did stellar work to secure the back half of the ball.

In 2-minute, a well-thrown deep ball from Ward for Ayomanor in the end zone sparked a scoring drive. The receiver nearly made a terrific catch but couldn’t hold on. Josh Jobe was flagged for pass interference. Two plays later, as time expired, Ward played it patient and found Daniel Bellinger clear a defender and break open across the back of the end zone for a scoring catch.

I don’t know that this has clearly been spelled out anywhere, but Ayomanor is clearly receiver No. 4 now, having passed Chim Dike with a very strong camp. Dike has moments, but not as many and not as consistently as Ayomanor, whose strength on the ball and versatility have really gotten better.

More Red Zone

Mitch Trubisky made a great throw to find Dike in the back right corner of the end zone, facing him, and Dike reached up for it and got his toes in for the TD.

Pollard had one of those clear-path runs I mentioned inside for a TD and Carter and Johnson each got in with the third team QBed by Will Levis.

Carnell Tate Hits a Quiet Stretch

Ward wouldn’t acknowledge it as a cold stretch. But Tate didn’t have a catch in his preseason debut when he struggled to separate, and he’s done little since.

I think he was targeted three times Friday and didn’t have a catch, dropping a pass, drawing a PI and being part of the interception.

Ward said it was a great defensive call and he’s got to do better getting through the progression.

“Ideally, it is something that me and Carnell can talk over film, if he feels (the defender) coming down to a certain landmark, he might be able to take his angle higher just so we might be able to get that throw off,” Ward said. “But at the end of the day, I just got to continue to, see everything post snap like I've been doing. Bad plays are going to happen. I’m going to have an interception.”

Special Teams

Bryce Oliver’s candidacy to be the sixth receiver remains alive because of his special teams prowess, and he worked as a top gunner, as did Micah Robinson, who’s competing to be a backup cornerback. Other guys in the mix here on the punt cover team: KJ Osborn, Jerrick Reed, Lance McCutcheon and Keydrain Calligan.