Patience is key with the Tennessee Titans' young offensive line

After nightmare seasons from Dennis Daley and Andre Dillard, Tennessee Titans fans have been conditioned to expect the worst from the team's offensive line when they don't perform well in training camp.

While there have been some early hiccups, things are much different for the Titans this year; fans must maintain patience while trusting the process.

Jim Wyatt said that "defenders were regularly in the backfield" on Day 1 of practic. Players like Kenneth Murray, Jeffery Simmons, Arden Key, and Jamal Adams have all been singled out by Wyatt as players who had tackles for losses or "sacks" over the first two days (non-contact, no pads).

It is important to remember that this offensive line is in a unique situation. They are all working together for the first time, are in a new offensive system, and they have a new offensive line coach.

Those struggles aren't even the most dificult challenge for this offensive line.

In the two Jim Wyatt articles linked above, he references that the Titans are only using passing plays with short to mid-range concepts. That wouldn't be a big deal by itself, but they are calling these plays against a Dennard Wilson defense.

If you don't have to worry about giving up a deep pass, then you can blitz early and often because the reward is going to outweigh the risk.

Blocking those blitzes up correctly would be a tough task for an experienced offensive line, so you can imagine how hard it must be for these young guys through the first few camp practices.

We aren't seeing an underperforming offensive line. What we are seeing is the starting point for this group, and we won't know the whole picture until we get to the end of camp and see the finish line. Look at any team in the league right now and you'll find similar reports of defenses dominating the day.

Whether the Titans have a great practice or a terrible day on offense, the progress made through Week 3 of the preseason will be the true measuring stick. Brian Callahan said as much when admitting the starting right guard and right tackle positions won't be decided until the team prepares for the regular-season opener (clip below).

Titans fans have to take all training camp reports, especially ones concerning the offensive line, with a grain of salt. Place your trust that the talented young trio of J.C. Latham, Peter Skoronski, and Lloyd Cushenberry, and their ability to develop under Bill Callahan while helping bolster an offensive line that remains in flux on the other side.