It is hard to build an offensive line in the NFL, and the process to get there is rarely quick. Despite some teams being able to catch lightning in a bottle, the truth is that a good offensive line usually takes commitment and patience, and neither of those things has been a strong suit for the Tennessee Titans over the last few years.
Astonishingly, it seems like the Titans have managed to get the offensive line solved, but don't be fooled into thinking it happened overnight. That should be a lesson that the front office and ownership remember about every aspect of the team.
The first and forgotten piece of all of this is Peter Skoronski. He has gotten better every season since being drafted, and he is being paid for what he has become: one of the best guards in the NFL. This season, he is still showing that same ability to position himself between the defender and the ball carrier, but he looks stronger this year, which makes him pop off the screen more in the run game.
The Titans finally have an offensive line fans can be proud of
On the other end of the spectrum is right tackle JC Latham, whose position with the Titans was up in the air heading into this season. Fans were out on him, and there were questions about whether he was a "Mike Borgonzi guy" or not, since he wasn't drafted by the current regime.
To their credit, Borgonzi, Robert Saleh, and OL coach Carmen Bricillo were steadfast in their belief that Latham would take a step forward. They believed that not only could he be a starting-caliber right tackle, but that he could be a true foundational piece for the team, and he is proving them right. Everything from his play on tape to his attitude is much better, and he and Skoronski look like everything that fans could have wanted from first-round picks.
Left tackle Dan Moore has been fine. When you are an NFL left tackle, being "fine" puts you above most of your peers because it is the most unforgiving job in football, and when you make a mistake, it gets played on repeat after every loss.
Titans offensive line looks like a strength heading into Week 5
Center Austin Schlottmann has had his ups and downs, but he has been solid, and he is responsible for calling out the protections and getting everyone on the same page. For a center, being able to do your job at an average level is all that you need if you can also get everyone else to understand their assignment on every play. So far, he is doing that, and players and coaches have raved about his experience in this system.
Rounding out the group is the right guard position. Fernando Carmona was a standout rookie for the team, but Jackson Slater and Antonio Mafi stepped in and replaced him effectively following his injury. They (specifically Mafi) are doing a good job holding down the fort until Carmona comes back, but it is also clear that the rookie is well above either of them, and that should excite Titans fans.
This group is strong and well coached, and they are giving Cam Ward time to throw. The better they do, the more trust they get from the coaching staff, and that will lead to more production on offense across the board. Titans fans might not enjoy the results of the games right now, but they can at least put away their fear of an inept offensive line.
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