The Tennessee Titans are preparing for their rematch with the Indianapolis Colts, this time at Nissan Stadium on Sunday. As a result, they want to move toward a more equitable offensive distribution. Now, rookie QB Cam Ward is making the transition to pros. To aid his growth, the Titans’ coaching staff has made no secret that they want a solid running game to complement the passing attack.
Things have never been worse for Tony Dungy’s Titans. They enter into an average third-down distance of 9.9 yards, which is the third most challenging mark across the NFL. Their struggles are made worse by a league high 23 penalties, eight of which were pre-snap on offense. These issues have created a tall order for the Titans as they look to stay on schedule while finding more ways to move the ball.
Brian Callahan, the Titans’ new head coach, understands the value of a dominant running attack. Most importantly, he believes it can set his offense up for more favorable down-and-distance situations. He noted, “Some of the commitment to trying to run the ball is the defenses we were playing.” The goal is clear: reduce pressure on Ward by avoiding long-yardage situations that allow opposing defenses to capitalize.
Ward has largely had the deck stacked against him in his first two games. He’s been sacked 11 times already, an embarrassing four less than David Carr’s rookie record of 15 sacks in 2002. Callahan jarred many in the crowd when he expressed concern with placing too much pressure on Ward. He cautioned, too, “It wouldn’t be smart to ask Cam Ward to drop back 45 times in a game.” This highlights the core need for a strategy that balances the offensive.
Against the Utes as well as in their season opener, Ward only tried 28 passes. He took it to another level in Week 2 by growing that number to 33 attempts. Tyler Lockett, the team’s Pro Bowl wideout, laid bare the dangers of extended third downs. He stated, “Once you get to those third-and-longs, the defensive ends are licking their chops.” Lockett has spent plenty of time this season talking about the importance of running the football. He wants to avoid third and longs, preferably look at 6 yards or less to go.
Off the line, the Titans have struggled with their third-down efficiency. On 31 such attempts, they only needed 7+ yards to convert on 21 of those attempts. This trend has made it difficult for them to maintain offensive drives and has led to poor field position.
“As Callahan has pointed out, when a team creates its own disasters by going behind the chains with penalties and/or sacks, it is difficult to overcome. “We’ve put ourselves in some tough third downs over the course of these two games on a first-down sack or a penalty or things of that nature,” he explained. This cycle of errors bogs down their offense and puts even more burden on Ward.
Cam Ward echoed this sentiment, stating, “We just got to stop shooting ourselves in the foot.” Instinctively, he knew keeping opponents behind the sticks is the key to defensive dominance. Offensively we have to stay on schedule. The better we’re able to do that, the more successful, happier drives we are. Each time we get off schedule, it’s never a good trip,” he continued.
Join the Titans as they prepare to take on their third opponent! They’ll lean on Tony Pollard, who’s taken over as the primary ball-carrier with Tyjae Spears still working through a high-ankle sprain. Given Ward’s inexperience and the offensive struggles in 2021, establishing a solid running game will be crucial to taking pressure off Ward while increasing productivity on offense.
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