Titans Have Two Identities
Nfl Network Analyst Bucky Brooks described the Titans style as “Smashmouth” on NFL HQ Wedneday, and he is not wrong.
The reality that GM Jon Robinson is aiming to build a team that will be physically imposing has never been clearer.
The Titans clarified it with three of their top picks in the Draft.
Jack Conklin, who the Titans traded up for at No.8 is absolutely a truck load. At 6’6″, 326 pounds, Conklin moves defensive lineman backwards while playing with a mid-west, rugged style of play.
Defensive lineman Austin Johnson was the choice by the Titans at pick No.43. Johnson is an explosive wrecking ball in the backfield, who showed off his ability the most through his senior year. One of Johnson’s criticisms is that he needs to get stronger, although his explosive first step and leverage result in him moving or getting around offensive lineman.
The third pick of the Titans was power back and Heisman winner Derrick Henry. The Alabama star has the looks of a linebacker if you didn’t know who he is.
The Titans have added three players to increase their toughness and mimic the playing style Mike Mularkey brings with him from Pittsburgh.
Conklin will be responsible for controlling the right side of the line and moving defensive lineman backwards. Johnson will pair up with veteran Jerrell Casey to clog up the middle and wreck havoc in the backfield. Thirdly, there is Henry.
Henry has a special ability at his size to burst through holes quickly, while big enough to command two defensive players to pull him down.
While being able to control the line of scrimmage is still a necessity in the NFL, having a second dimension in a pass happy league will speed up the process of being a perennial contender.
Fortunately, Tennessee holds the other key that many physical teams lack, athleticism. Quarterback Marcus Mariota may be the most pure athletic quarterback in the National Football League. Mariota makes eluding defenders look easy. Receivers Kendall Wright and Justin Hunter have shown elite talent but have not even reached their full potential consistently. The addition of talented speedster Rishard Matthews will only help as well.
For a young physical team, the Titans carry a rare amount of athletic talent that are fast, elusive, and dynamic.
As a whole the Titans have a roster that is a two headed monster. All coaches and teams love a balanced attack as it allows for many different plays, coverage and schemes to be utilized. That being said, the Titans possess two very different styles of grind and go that when mixed can be dangerous for other teams in the league.