The Tennessee Titans have two new starters on the offensive line in the form of center Austin Schlottmann and rookie right guard Fernando Carmona. Despite changing nearly half of the line, there has been little-to-no concern expressed, and training camp is officially over.
Between Lloyd Cushenberry and Kevin Zeitler, the Titans entered last year with proven starters at center and right guard. While Zeitler was good, Cushenberry's time with the Titans was inconsistent at best. Still, you knew that he had been there before based on his previous experience as a starter, so at least you had a baseline of what to expect from him.
Despite Carmona and Schlottmann not having the resumes of the two lineman they're replacing, you wouldn't know it by looking at how they play and lead. Peter Skoronski has commented that Schlottmann's expertise in this offensive system has been a huge factor in the line's surprising start, and everyone from JC Latham to Jeffery Simmons has bragged about how well Carmona is doing.
The Tennessee Titans' rebuilt offensive line could be way better than the general public realizes
The easiest way to judge offensive linemen is whether or not you know their name. For the most part, the only time an offensive lineman gets his name called on a broadcast is when he is flagged or gives up a sack. The fact that Titans fans haven't heard Carmona or Schlottmann being mentioned a lot on broadcasts or in training camp notes is because they haven't been messing up.
If you do hear about Carmona, it is because he and Latham are usually hitting a double-team and opening up holes for the running backs. Similarly, if you hear Schlottmann's name mentioned, it is because he is sticking up for a teammate when they get a cheap shot or when things get fiery.
The best way to describe their play so far is two guys who do their job with physicality and toughness, and that is a huge improvement based on what fans thought would happen at those positions.
If Carmona and Schlottmann play well, it could mean the Titans have an average offensive line for the first time in years. Considering the weapons they have and the growth we can expect from Cam Ward under Brian Daboll's tutelage, that could be the key to turning this thing around quickly and putting the Titans right back in the mix in the AFC South.
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