Titan Sized
FanSided

Ryan Succop, Mike Vrabel talk blocked FG in Titans Week 15 loss

By Michael Moraitis

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - DECEMBER 15: Ryan Succop #4 of the Tennessee Titans makes a field goal attempt that was blocked by the Houston Texans during the first half at Nissan Stadium on December 15, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - DECEMBER 15: Ryan Succop #4 of the Tennessee Titans makes a field goal attempt that was blocked by the Houston Texans during the first half at Nissan Stadium on December 15, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Tennessee Titans kicker Ryan Succop reacted to his lone field goal attempt getting blocked in Week 15.

Tennessee Titans kicker Ryan Succop missed yet another field goal in Week 15, his fifth miss in six tries in 2019. He spoke about it after Tennessee’s 24-21 loss to the Houston Texans.

While the 45-yard attempt in the first quarter was blocked, it was clear he didn’t get enough air on it to clear the raised hand of a Texans defender. Succop not getting enough power or air on his kicks has been a continuous problem for the Titans since he returned from IR in Week 9.

In fact, it was such an issue that the Titans needed to sign Ryan Santoso to handle kickoff duties, and even that has failed with Santoso failing to record touchbacks on multiple kickoffs on Sunday.

We’ve been waiting for Succop’s issues to cost the team a game, and it finally did in Week 15.

Not only was the block important, but the Titans were forced to go for it on a 4th-and-10 from the Texans’ 37-yard line because they have no confidence in their kicker. Head coach Mike Vrabel ended up botching that decision, opting to run a fake punt that failed miserably.

Of course, Succop’s blocked kick wasn’t the only wasted opportunity at points on Sunday, but it still certainly loomed large with Tennessee losing by three points to the Texans.

After the game, Succop said he’ll have to go “back to the drawing board” to fix his issues, per Paul Kuharsky.

"“I don’t know, I think it’s just kind of been one of those things where it just obviously hasn’t gone on field goals how I want it to. And so I’ll go back to the drawing board and try to get better for the team.”"

Head coach Mike Vrabel had this to say about the play.

"“Well he had one blocked. I don’t know, we’ll have to go look at the protection. I thought when we got him past the line of scrimmage, they went in on the extra points. I don’t know what happened on the block; was it low? Did we get penetration? Push-back? I’ve told you that process is about the snap, the hold and the protection.”"

The only problem with Ryan Succop going “back to the drawing board” is that he’s been there a handful of times already and nothing has worked out. At some point, the Titans have to realize that Succop isn’t going to fix his ineptitude in the kicking game and a change must be made.

Prior to Sunday, the Titans had reportedly worked out kickers, including former Dallas Cowboys kicker Brett Maher, but decided against signing one. Maher hasn’t been any better, as he’s missed 10 field goal attempts this season and is nothing more than a big leg.

If the Titans really want to make a change that might actually be effective, re-signing Cody Parkey would be the best idea. Parkey made all three of his field goal attempts for Tennessee this season and has had the most success of the three Titans kickers in 2019.

Home/Titans News