[FREE] Practice vs Games for T'Vondre Sweat
Why Sweat's production in games need to be put in perspective.
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Leading up to 49ers-Titans, we were looking forward to seeing a few things play out.
One was the limited snaps the starters were going to have on offense, another was the inside linebacker group and the potential difference makers there — because there aren’t many, at least proven ones — and last but not least, the unofficial debuts of a few Titans rookies that have a high set of expectations.
One was JC Latham, the mammoth rookie left tackle that many fans are excited about.
The other was a more polarizing one.
If you paid attention to the uproar that occurred when the Titans made the pick, you’d know I’m talking about rookie defensive tackle T’Vondre Sweat.
Despite the initial uproar though, it seems like Sweat has found his way into the hearts of many Titans fans.
Not only because of his massive frame and rare quickness to go along with it, but also his continuous domination during the early portions of training camp.
Now training camp hype is a cautionary drug, because it usually flames out or doesn’t pop out as much as time goes out.
If you remember the dark Tre McBride days, then you fully understand. But this was a different case, with a different player, and a different position to boot.
It’s why many welcomed the early positive news from Sweat, since him finding his way early alongside Jeffery Simmons, spelt nothing but trouble for opposing offensive lines.
That same positivity was carried into 49ers-Titans, a game many were anxious to see the unveiling of the Titans’ newest defensive monster and the impact he could have this upcoming season.
However, they were left a bit disappointed when Sweat didn’t quite carry his training camp destruction into his first ever preseason game.
Some even took it a bit farther, expressing some over the top disappointment regarding Sweat, which personally I felt was nothing more than your regular fan overreaction.
That’s why I decided to lend a few words to some worried fans, or better yet, just one word.
Relax
This isn’t some Aaron Rodgers sound bite, although it kind of is?
Either way, you just have to relax.
It was Sweat’s first game, there were some variables that prevented him from getting the best opportunities to be the game wrecker he can potentially be — more on that later — and he only played a limited, and I mean an extremely limited amount of snaps.
If anything, you can make the excuse that there wasn’t much food left on the table for Sweat to eat.
More so scraps and little crumbs than anything.
I understand fans want to see the return on the Sweat investment as soon as possible.
But we’re so early into this process, so far away from any level headed conclusion on what player he’ll be, his impact, and his value that it’d be irresponsible to judge how good he is based off 2 handfuls and some change of snaps.
However, if that can’t convince you, then at least understand that the biggest variable wasn’t even present, and probably won’t be present until the Titans step on historic grass of Soldier Field.
Jeffery Simmons didn’t play
My brother in Christ, before you even try to mention the impact of Sweat, you have to realize that Jeffery Simmons didn’t play at all.
As a matter fact, it’s very, very unlikely that you’ll see him suit up for the preseason.
Why is that important?
Because Simmons is the individual game breaker that opens up a multitude of opportunities for everyone else.
And more importantly, it’ll mean less double teams for Sweat to work against, like the many he saw on Saturday night against the 49ers.
We know how much Simmons was doubled last season, hell even the season before. That’s why Simmons’ numbers have always hovered in the good-great range, but his unsung impact and presence on the field made his actual impact rise to the elite levels amongst his peers.
With Simmons on the field, Sweat will inevitably receive more 1v1’s, and in turn more chances to turn the tide of games.
And in turn, Sweat taking advantage of those 1v1’s will lead to more opportunities for Simmons, leaving offenses with headaches deciding who to double and who to keep 1 body on.
It’s that simple, at least in a perfect world.
Now in theory, Sweat or even Simmons could fail to take advantage of the precious 1v1’s that every defensive lineman loves to receive.
And if that happens, then starting a conversation about Sweat’s impact on the game would be acceptable.
But until then, it’s best to stay away from the knee jerk reactions and let the process play out until it possibly can’t anymore.
That sounds so simple, yet so difficult for some.
Overview
This isn’t some personal attack on fans for expressing their beliefs, in fact it’s far from it.
It’s just a refresher on the cautionary overreactions for rookies, ignoring the variables that help them reach their success, and jumping to conclusions before said player gets a fair chance to, I don’t know, do their job.
So let’s just give it all a rest, be patient, and wait for Sweat to get the situational advantages he needs to maximize impact before writing the guy off.
Cool? Cool.
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