Titans: Reasons for optimism and concern in 2nd half of 2019

Concern: The offensive line

We’ve already spoken about the reasons to be optimistic with Tannehill at quarterback and Henry at running back, but neither one of those players will have much success if the offensive line doesn’t improve its play.

There’s no other way to say it: the Titans’ offensive line has been putrid in 2019.

Tennessee’s group upfront has allowed 34 sacks, tied for the most in the NFL with the New York Jets. If you compare both of these offensive lines on paper, it really makes you scratch your head how the Titans’ offensive line could be as bad at the Jets’, but here we are.

Adding to their poor pass protection, the Titans’ offensive line hasn’t been much better blocking for the run. Henry is averaging just 3.8 yards per carry and leads the NFL in negative runs. Some of that is Henry needing to hit the hole faster, however much of that has to do with the offensive line not opening any holes to initially hit.

If we’re looking on the bright side of things as far as the run is concerned, Henry has found more success with outside runs of late, so perhaps offensive coordinator Arthur Smith will learn from that and draw up run plays accordingly. Don’t hold your breath, though.

The biggest key to this offensive line in the second half will be the play of the guards, namely Nate Davis and Rodger Saffold. Both have struggled, as Saffold appears to have been a waste of money and Davis is still going through growing pains that the Titans can’t afford to keep waiting out.