Tennessee Titans need to find a way to keep Jacoby Ford
By Les Bailey
The two team aspects that are of utmost importance for the Tennessee Titans if they are to survive the 2015 season are “get faster and get younger”. I remember former Dallas Cowboy head coach, Jimmy Johnson tell a room full of reporters in the early 90’s that “you can’t coach speed, either they have it or they don’t”.
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Speed is the one thing Jacoby Ford has. Problems with his feet that caused him to sit out the entirety of the 2014 season have slowed the 28 year-old Clemson grad since logging a 4.28 40 yard dash, but he still has that speed that you just can’t coach.
The Titans signed the former Oakland Raider back in January with hopes that they could find a way to use that speed in Nashville, but after signing Harry Douglas, Hakeem Nicks and drafting Dorial Green-Beckham and Tre McBride, Ford finds himself in a very crowded room.
At 5′ 9″ and 190 pounds, Ford is not the proto-typical receiver that comes in the DGB type package, but with three solid seasons in the NFL, he does bring experience.
A fourth-round draft pick in 2010, Ford’s best season was his rookie campaign when he was targeted 25 times for 470 yards, and two touchdowns. He rushed the ball 10 times for 155 yards and two more touchdowns.
Fords real contribution in his rookie season was kick returns. He amassed 1280 yards and three more touchdowns.
Injuries limited him to only eight games in 2011 and the numbers continued to slide in 2012 when he was released. He was signed by the Jets for the 2014 season, but was cut coming out of training camp and spent 2014 watching football on television.
With a year to rest his foot injuries, and with the Titans needing someone to tote the rock on kickoffs after the departure of Leon Washington, Jacoby Ford could be a key piece to the 2015 puzzle.
The Titans are the deepest at wide receiver, but Jacoby Ford brings a myriad of talent to a team with a lot of holes to fill this year. He can run the end-around, run kickoff returns, and if you look at his highlight video above, is a legitimate red-zone threat.
I am convinced that Dorial Green-Beckham is a year away from being a real contributor on this football team, and feel like they can’t afford the have speed like this leave the organization.
Ford told Titansonline senior editor, Jim Wyatt:
"“It is definitely one of the most talented groups I have been around,’’ Ford said. “We have a lot of veterans and a lot of guys who have great talent, and to come in here and be a part of this group is a blessing. We all work hard, and it is a friendly competition here.”“I’m just going to keep working hard and try and be consistent,’’ Ford said. “I’m going to give it everything I’ve got.”"
Next: Realistic expectations for Dorial Green-Beckham