[FREE] 49ers at Titans Preview
What should you be watching for during the first preseason game.
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To be quite honest with you, I haven’t been the best in terms of following along with camp updates and such.
Usually, I’m actually out there a select amount of times, just trying to gather as much information as possible.
This year I’m not though.
Why? Well, let’s just say I have priorities that need more focus right now….okay I’m just busy with work and the battle between passion and fleeting dreams.
Actually, ignore that second thing.
Anyways, I still have been able to keep an eye on updates and news out of Titans camp. I just don’t hawk everything like I used to in the past.
And based on the info that’s been trickling out so far, it’s safe to say this has been an eventful camp full of optimism, plenty of talking points, and the usual developments that happen throughout camps during the summer.
So, with the Titans’ first preseason game of the year coming up, I thought it’d be cool to go over some of the things you could look forward to seeing this upcoming Saturday night when the Titans take on the San Francisco 49ers.
Let’s not waste any time.
Potential run from starters?
Right now, we don’t know how much run the Titans’ starters will get on Saturday night.
The best guess for right now, is not much. But it kind of feels like they’ll at least get some. I could be totally wrong, but I’m just throwing darts at this point since there isn’t a lot of information out there.
If the ones do get some run though, it won’t be against many 49ers starters, if any. They’re dealing with some injury issues amongst their regular guys, so it looks like they’re going to play it safe here.
But the mission remains the same if the Titans’ starters get some run regardless.
Knocking the rust off, avoiding injury, and being clean on both sides of the ball for the most part.
Right guard competition
Saahdiq Charles decided to suddenly retire this week, leaving the Titans’ already volatile right guard situation, even more volatile and more prone to explosion.
Charles was set to start at right guard, likely combining with returnee Nicholas Petit-Frere to create one of the right sided offensive line combinations in the league.
(You read that right btw).
But now with Charles out of the picture, that right guard spot just looks downright terrible.
Dillon Radunz has somehow, someway, by the grace of God found himself in another position battle in camp, with the quiet Andrew Rupcich also receiving some attention as well.
Now Radunz and Rupcich aren’t bad players per say, but they’re average ones at best, and based on what we’ve seen from them they aren’t close to hitting average levels very soon.
At this point though, it feels like the Titans don’t really have a choice in the matter. It’s either roll with Radunz/Rupcich/hell maybe even Daniel Brunskill or somehow find a veteran that can give you even a middling amount of stability at the position.
The latter isn’t happening anytime soon though, so Radunz/Rupcich it is.
Geez, this shouldn’t be the case.
T’Vondre Sweat unofficial debut?
A lot of the talk surrounding Sweat early in camp was his weight.
Some were concerned about his ability to get in shape and contribute consistently as a multiple down lineman.
Unserious concerns, yes, I know.
Luckily though, Sweat has turned those doubters into early believers so far.
He’s looked every bit the monster he could be on the field, overpowering Titans offensive linemen, even adding in some speed to the mix, another bonus for the freak Sweat is.
We’ll see if he gets some run-on Saturday night, I would bet he does. And if he does, you need to watch him closely, because he’s a player that can and will leave you speechless.
He’s that good and his potential is that high.
Is the Malik Willis hype real?
Throughout camp, there’s been an added sense of evolution from Malik Willis.
Granted, he’s been working with the 3’s and with that comes some hesitation. But talk around Willis has described his play so far as consistent.
Now can he keep that up against real life competition and somehow push for some snaps with the 2’s?
Remains to be seen.
But the talk has been there, and we know when there’s smoke, there’s fire.
Enter Treylon Burks
With DeAndre Hopkins out for 4-6 weeks, Treylon Burks is going to be relied on heavily.
Burks has had a disappointing start to his NFL career, but his physical potential still provides the Titans with the best short-term replacement for Hopkins and his role within the offense.
From what I’ve seen, he hasn’t been a world beater at camp, but he’s shown gradual improvement, which is one of the only things you could’ve hoped for entering camp.
He won’t and shouldn’t be asked to fully replicate Hopkins’ production and importance, but he can bring some things to the table Hopkins can’t and if it can be put together, could unite into something unexpected.
He could start that process on Saturday night, but we know the real test will come if Hopkins has to miss any regular season time.
Until that situation potentially comes to be, a little preseason taste — or failure — will have to be accepted.
EDGE depth gets their first crack
With Arden Key still set to sit an undisclosed number of games due to a suspension, the Titans’ depth at EDGE becomes even more important.
The problem is there isn’t a lot of depth there, well proven depth at least.
We know about Rashad Weaver and Caleb Murphy; Shane Ray is a veteran that isn’t what the Titans need right now — unless he has a miraculous turnaround — and Jaylen Harrell along with Thomas Rush are both rookies.
All of these guys will get chances to prove themselves throughout the preseason, so a real opportunity is up for grabs here.
Harrell has been having a good camp though, so he’s my sneaky bet.
New faces at ILB
One of the more underrated talking points for the Titans so far has been their inside linebacker group.
We knew it was one of the big questions coming into camp, because of the projected starters and the obvious flaws both projected starting inside backers have.
But based on the words from the lovely journalists on the ground, positivity should be the word for the likes of Kenneth Murray and Jack Gibbens.
If they get some run-on Saturday night, it should be interesting to watch their progress, considering the reputations that follow both of them.
More so on Murray because of his…previous play with the Chargers.
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