[FREE] The Titans OL Dilemma
The Titans find themselves in a unfamiliar situation having too many options for their starting offensive line.
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When the Titans signed Andre Dillard to a 3 year $29M deal in the off-season, they had reasonable expectations for the former Washington State product.
The most important expectation though, was that he’d provide at least average play at the left tackle spot. Considering how little he played in Philadelphia, and how trying his times were as an Eagle, those expectations seemed a bit…..much, if that’s the right word.
Not because he’s a bad football player or anything — what I thought at the time — but because of how little Dillard showed to prove he was simply capable of meeting those expectations.
But it wasn’t my money, I’m not the general manager that made the decision, nor am I the head coach that agreed with the move, so who cares.
That’s what I thought initially.
However, now I’m thinking maybe I should’ve had more worry regarding the move, because it’s looking to be a total dud at this moment.
To say Andre Dillard has played poorly would be an understatement.
He’s been one of the worst tackles in the NFL, this according to PFF. He’s graded as the 40th best tackle in football, at least according to ones that have played at least 240 snaps. He’s given up the 6th most pressures among all eligible tackles, has given up the most sacks among eligible tackles, and has given up the 6th most pressures among eligible tackles.
As a consequence of his poor play, the Titans have struggled to consistently protect the quarterback. And that in turn, has limited the progression of this new look Titans offense. But probably the most detrimental consequence of Dillard’s poor play, has been the Titans’ short term plans for their offensive line.
The Titans expected Dillard to provide somewhat reasonable cover at left tackle, thus allowing the likes of Peter Skoronski to stay at left guard. But with how poorly Dillard has played, some have thrown out the idea of moving Skoronski over to left tackle and keeping his current fill in — Dillon Radunz — at left guard.
Now there’s no chance the Titans move Skoronski ot left tackle, especially considering just how good Skorosnki has looked at left guard in limited action this year. However, there is a chance of the Titans finding other options for left tackle, ultimately moving Dillard to the bench.
Thus begins a new potential offensive dilemma for the Titans.
What can the Titans do?
What we know, is that the Titans currently have two logical options — talent wise — to replace Dillard at left tackle.
*IF* the Titans choose to go down this route.
These two options include:
Slide Skoronski to left tackle, keep Radunz at left guard
Keep Skoronski at left guard, move Radunz to left tackle
The positives for the first option are easy to recognize.
You can move Skoronski to left tackle and you’d potentially still be getting a good football player at a position that isn’t necessarily the best for him. With Radunz, you’re keeping a good performer at an important interior spot, all while making sure he stays on the field.
The negatives though, are apparent. For starters, we don’t even know if Skoronski is a good left tackle. He played at the spot in college, but his short arms were the reason why he was projected to be more of a guard at the NFL level.
Not a tackle.
The other negative is that you might be selling yourself short by not putting Radunz at left tackle. He’s a natural one with physical attributes to match, plus he showed he can be serviceable at the spot, albeit in limited action (not even a full game against the LOS Angeles Chargers in 2022).
Now onto the positives for the second option.
Obviously the biggest positive here is that you’ll be keeping Skoronski at left guard, where he looked very comfortable playing during the Titans’ Week One game against the New Orleans Saints.
The other one though, is that Radunz at left tackle — mentioned above — could be one of the answers the Titans might be looking for.
The negatives here? Well, it boils down to Radunz and his limited action as a left tackle.
That’s all there is to it.
What should the Titans do?
Honestly? They should roll with option 2.
Not only do you keep Skoronski at a spot he thrives at, but you’ll get a better look at Radunz, one of the more forgotten names on this roster, at least before he was thrusted into action due to Skoronski’s medical emergency.
If Radunz isn’t good at tackle, then you could fumble around with the first option. If that doesn’t work, then you’re quite frankly shit out of luck at that point.
Either way, the Titans have nothing to lose. They need better play from the left tackle spot and they’re only going to get that by working with some other options.
Or they could simply keep Dillard there and pray he gets better.
What will the Titans do?
I don’t even know to be quite honest.
But let’s just say we’ll have to keep on guessing, because Mike Vrabel will never give us answers before he’s ready to give them.
It’s clear Dillard is the weak link on this Titans offensive line right now.
There are solutions to the problems he presents, it’s now up to the Titans to follow through on one — or more — of those in hopes of finding a permanent path.
Will they act on them? Who knows, but they need to do so, or they’ll be shooting themselves in the foot as a result.
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