Fantasy Football Preseason Preview: Tennessee Titans at Cincinnati Bengals

Aug 3, 2013; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Titans quarterback Jake Locker (10) passes as head coach Mike Munchak observes during training camp at LP Field. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports

1.    Offensive Playcalling

The front office spread the word that this year’s Titans would be a run-first team. Against Washington, they did not disappoint.

While Jake Locker sat at the helm, the Titans scored two rushing touchdowns, including a 58-yarder by Chris Johnson, while the running backs averaged 8.8 yards per carry.

Upon closer examination, however, it turns out that the Titans ran just 11 running plays compared to 14 designed pass plays (Locker was sacked on two and scrambled for four yards on one).

The Titans first-team offense ran out of two-tight end sets or lined up with a fullback on most of their possessions. There were no read-options, no pistol formations, and few shotgun plays. Locker’s only downfield attempt was his first pass of the game. It was nearly intercepted.

Was this conservative approach to avoid revealing any of the newly installed formations? I think so.

It looks like the run game will be a force to be reckoned with this season. Against the Bengals, I’ll be watching for any indication that the Titans passing game might hold fantasy value. Locker will need to take more shots downfield for that to be the case.