Harry Douglas vs Tre McBride: Who Should Stick?

Tennessee Titans Harry Douglas vs Tre McBride: Final Roster Spot Competition.

For many NFL players, roster spot battles boil down to experience versus youth. This is the exact situation Harry Douglas and Tre McBride find themselves in. While a case could also be made for Eric Weems, Adoree’ Jackson seems to have the special teams jobs locked down. Although we all know the likely outcome, let’s look closer and see who the better keep would be.

Tre McBride

McBride caught nine passes for 130 yards during the preseason. He had the opportunity for more, but he had the occasional drop. On the other hand, McBride also made some difficult catches in clutch situations.

Throughout the 2016 season, McBride showed he can be a competent special teamer, which gives him the edge over Weems. While Weems could be the better special teamer, both will play backup to Jackson. For being only a second-year pro, McBride still has time to improve and his best days should be ahead of him.

Harry Douglas

Douglas is 32 years old and has been in the league for nine years. Although his best years are behind him, he has experience and knows this playbook inside and out. With nine years of experience, Douglas should be able to read certain defenses and find soft spots in zone coverages. Douglas’ experience doesn’t only come in handy on game days, but in practice as well.

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Being around for almost a decade, Douglas can help coach younger guys like McBride. Knowing the playbook inside and out also helps make the case for Douglas; not only does he know all the calls, but also how to maximize every play. This also gives Douglas the versatility edge, being able to line up on either side or in the slot for any given play.

We all know that the coaching staff loves Douglas, and listening to the way they talk about him, it would be a shock if Douglas got cut. While Eric Decker brings experience and knowledge on reading defenses to the Titans, he doesn’t know the playbook quite like Douglas does.

With roster cuts coming the day after posting this article, it’s likely one of these guys will be gone by the time you’re reading this. The good news, however, is if McBride doesn’t make the final 53 man roster, he is still practice squad eligible. The question then becomes if another team tries to sign him, do the Titans think enough of him to promote him to the roster? In 2015, the Titans elevated Antonio Andrews up to the 53-man roster when the Buffalo Bills tried signing him, so it’s possible.

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