Chimere Dike breakout game proves former Titans HC Brian Callahan was clueless

Tennessee Titans interim head coach Mike McCoy made his debut in Sunday's 31-13 Week 7 loss to Mike Vrabel and the New England Patriots. McCoy spent the week discussing potential changes to the offense. Some of them were evident in an encouraging first half before turnovers and familiar mistakes derailed the second half.

One of the major changes was the usage of rookie wide receiver Chimere Dike. The former Florida standout recorded career highs in targets (four) and receiving yards (70). Dike also scored his first career touchdown.

McCoy utilized Dike in different ways than former head coach Brian Callahan did. Prior to this week, Dike was often utilized as a gadget weapon on offense near the line of scrimmage. McCoy let him run real routes, proving that Callahan was clueless on how to maximize the athletic rookie playmaker.

Titans rookie WR Chimere Dike has breakout performance that proves Brian Callahan was using him wrong

Dike thrived at running deep posts and crossing routes at Florida. In the first quarter, the fourth-round rookie caught a 38-yard play-action touchdown pass from Cam Ward. Dike brought an element of explosion to the Titans' offense that had been sorely missing under Callahan.

It wasn't Dike's lone eye-popping contribution versus the Patriots. Tennessee's scoring drive began with a kickoff return to the 41-yard line. On 2nd-and-7, one play before his 38-yard TD, Dike hauled in an 18-yard reception on a crisp route that saw Ward thread the needle in traffic around multiple Patriots defenders. Including yards gained via special teams, he totaled 169 yards.

Dike has essentially replaced Tyler Lockett as a receiver in base formation. Lockett has added little-to-nothing on offense, whereas Dike proved he's capable of making explosive plays when used appropriately. The Titans were ultimately embarrassed on Sunday, but there were hints that Callahan got it all wrong offensively.