Continuity on offense
Over the last couple of years, if you asked any Titans fan what had been holding the team back, you will likely get a variety of different answers.
However, if there is one aspect of the team that every Titans fan can agree was a legitimate problem, it was the revolving door at offensive coordinator. The only thing the Titans’ offense was consistent at, was being inconsistent.
Over a five year span, the Titans had five different offensive coordinators and/or play-callers. Rather than being allowed to grow and improve on details during the off-season, the team spent their time learning a new scheme and verbiage while the majority of teams were simply tuning up for another run.
Fortunately for Titans fans, that will change in 2020 as they will be returning their talented young offensive coordinator, Arthur Smith for the second consecutive season. In reality, Smith has been on the team in a variety of roles for nine years and knows these players as well as anyone. That familiarity became evident as he helped lead one of the most explosive offenses in Tennessee Titans history.
After some growing pains to start the season, Smith’s offense took off once he got his real starting quarterback into the lineup. His offense averaged over 30 points per game and displayed a creativity and aggressiveness in play calling that this fan base hasn’t seen since the old Mike Heimerdinger days.
HE'S ELIGIBLE! @DennisKelly67 | #TENvsKC pic.twitter.com/fUdWLpluh8
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) January 19, 2020
Rather than forcing players to fit his scheme, Smith has adapted his scheme to fit his players’ strengths. Knowing that defenses have to key in on Derrick Henry or face the chance of being pounded to the ground, Smith often took advantage and put the offense in situations to succeed by using play action in order to force defenses to figure out where the ball was.
Smith’s ability to manipulate a defense allowed Tannehill to thrive as he posted a 140.6 passer rating when using play action and a 117.5 passer rating in total — both career highs and league bests in 2019.
On top of returning their offensive coordinator, the team also returns 10/11 starters with the sole loss being at right tackle. A position which the team now has two viable options in Dennis Kelly and first-round pick Isaiah Wilson ready to step in so the team doesn’t skip a beat.
2020 has the potential to field the most explosive and potent offense in Titans history over a full season with Arthur Smith running the show, Tannehill under center, Lewan and company upfront, Henry in the backfield, and A.J. Brown out wide.
The sky truly is the limit for this offense now that the passing attack has finally come to life to complement a consistently strong rushing attack. Combine that with Arthur Smith’s creative play calling and this season has the potential to be a special year in Tennessee.