Making the Tennessee Titans champions: running back
By Will Lomas
How can the Tennessee Titans build a championship roster at running back.
It is almost officially the dead period, so it is time for speculation. How can the Tennessee Titans become a better football team.
With Jon Robinson at the helm, there really aren’t major holes in this team anymore.
However, it is the little things that take a team from good to great. These are the places where you will really see competition this offseason.
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One spot that has been an issue for the Tennessee Titans in the past but not so much recently, is running back.
Ever since Chris Johnson and Lendale White were at their peaks, the Titans haven’t had two running backs as capable as they have now. DeMarco Murray and Derrick Henry have a chance to not only be a solid tandem, but the best duo in the NFL.
The problem is that they are both very similar. That is great when you have a dominant game plan that you are forcing other teams to stop. It isn’t as good when you need a change of pace.
When the Tennessee Titans go head to head with the Cincinnati Bengals, they will be facing a defensive line stacked with size. Run-first guys like Vontaze Burfict and Kevin Minter should start at linebacker behind them.
The Titans have to know what they want to do against a team like that. There are really only two options: keep pounding or counter-punch.
Either way, they have to be prepared to go three running backs deep this season and they have to know what they want from that third guy.
Do they want a guy who can keep the pressure on defenses with physical play. Or, do they want a back with speed who can catch defenses on their heels.
These are candidates for third running back.
Keep: Khalfani Muhammad
There has been a lot of good publicity about Muhammad this offseason. In fact, Paul Kuharsky named him as his under the radar player for the Tennessee Titans saying:
“He’s just 5-foot-7 and 174 pounds, a stark contrast to DeMarco Murray and Derrick Henry. But he was darting and dashing around every chance he got in offseason practices, and it sure looks like his blazing speed can translate to the next level.”
There is an idea that he could be a great return man also where he and Adoree Jackson split the responsibility to neither gets too tired.
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Trade/Sign: Matt Jones
If you want another guy who can be a pounder inside, a trade for Jones makes a lot of sense.
The current Washington Redskins running back looks like he is on the outs with the front office. Matt Miller posted this in his latest scouting notebook:
“Once a promising running back, Matt Jones has requested his release from Washington, according to Stephen Whyno of the Associated Press. After his rookie season, it looked like Jones would become a star back, but fumbles and a lack of production have plagued him since. If released, he wouldn’t be on the market long, as teams would still be interested in the talent he showed previously.”
I can see a team like the Tennessee Titans who have a true identity as a ground and pound team, bringing in Jones to bolster their running back group.