Tennessee Titans: Winners and losers preseason week 3

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - AUGUST 25: Marcus Mariota #8 of the Tennessee Titans drops back to throw a pass against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first half of a preseason game at Nissan Stadium on August 25, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - AUGUST 25: Marcus Mariota #8 of the Tennessee Titans drops back to throw a pass against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first half of a preseason game at Nissan Stadium on August 25, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
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Tennessee Titans.
(Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)

Loser: QB’s chances of staying healthy

Going into Cleveland, the offensive line will be like this barring any changes:

LT Dennis Kelly: Not playing well in any phase

LG Rodger Saffold: Good run blocker who has struggled in pass pro

C Ben Jones: Solid, but that is it.

RG Kevin Pamphile: Slow to punch and has bad balance

RT Jack Conklin: Very good

There are ways to protect the issues on the offensive line, primarily they need to run play action and get Derrick Henry going in the run game. Outside of that, TE chips for Kelly also seem like a must.

However, unless the Titans can just destroy the Browns on the ground or have a big game on defense, they are going to have to go with some drop back passes and leave some of those guys in one-on-one protection.

That doesn’t bode well for Marcus Mariota’s health, and it is devastating that after investing so much in Saffold this unit hasn’t been better. On paper this offensive line should be talented enough to win a lot of matchups but it just isn’t showing up on the field.

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