Tennessee Titans general manager Jon Robinson acknowledged that center Ben Jones could play right guard for the team when the season begins.
The Tennessee Titans have a problem along the offensive line, and more specifically, at right guard. Those issues were very apparent during the team’s third preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
After the O-line proved it couldn’t protect Marcus Mariota well enough in that game, head coach Mike Vrabel was forced to pull his starting quarterback early to protect his well-being.
While Rodger Saffold allowed a sack and Dennis Kelly also struggled, right guard Kevin Pamphile looked to be one of the bigger concerns upfront.
Pamphile not only allowed a sack, he was also called for a penalty that negated a 12-yard reception. In all, it has been a forgettable preseason for the presumed starter at right guard.
Had he been healthy, Nate Davis would have won the starting gig rather easily. Even though Davis seems to be on the right track in his recovery and did warm up with the team before the Preseason Week 4 game, he has missed significant practice time, which usually delays the process of a rookie starting in the NFL.
With no help coming at the position unless the Titans can make a last-minute move or Davis surprisingly gets the nod, Jon Robinson is hinting that the Titans could turn to Ben Jones at the position.
He said so during an interview on the WKRN broadcast of the Titans’ fourth preseason game against the Chicago Bears on Thursday.
Jon Robinson acknowledged the possibility of Ben Jones playing RG. "He's played live snaps there before. We'll see, trying to get the best five out there."
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) August 30, 2019
During his first four years in the league with the Houston Texas, Jones spent three of those seasons at both left and right guard, so as Robinson points out, the Georgia product does have experience there.
Should the Titans decide to move Jones to right guard, the team would insert 2017 sixth-round pick Corey Levin at center. Levin has played well for the most part this offseason and played at left guard in 2018. His natural position is at center, though.
We’ve thought all along that Pamphile was a lock to be the starter once Davis went down to injury, however it appears that is not the case. We’d assume Davis will eventually take this role, but for now the Titans have to figure out a solution if Pamphile isn’t it.