[FREE] Titans Need to Change Their View on WRs

It is was pass time for the Titans to put an emphasis on wide receivers.

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Ever since the Derrick Mason and Drew Bennett era came to an end, the Titans have had very bad luck at consistently finding difference makers at receiver. 

Well, just saying that is putting it kindly. 

Multiple early round picks used, only for said picks to flame out before becoming any worthwhile. 

Signing fringe depth players in hopes of finding unexpected sparks, but instead watching those sparks die out instead of combusting into a warm and heavy flame. 

Hell, even signing big name legends well past their best days — you know who I’m talking about — only to disappointingly face the reality that said big name legends have nothing but hopes and dreams in the tank. 

I mean the Titans have been through it all. 

However, all of these misfortunes and so called duds didn’t stop the Titans from trying. They kept at it, kept trying, kept pushing themselves until the last possible moment….until at last. 

They found the star receiver they’d been desperately searching for. Everyone knows the story by now, and if you don’t, where have you been living? 

AJ Brown swooped in like the hero of fairy tales, rescued the Titans from the cold, dark, and wet pit of receiver doom, spends a few years living his life with the woman of his dreams, before whisking away into the dead of the night without so much as a goodbye or a see you later.

And thus begins the Titans’ repetitive story of finding another Romeo to complete their love story.

So far, the Titans haven’t been able to find their next Romeo. They were hoping that Treylon Burks could be more than just a rebound, but unfortunately for the Titans, they’re learning that he’s closer to being a depression induced fling instead of an emotionally stable rock of support. 

As for everyone else on the roster, there isn’t much optimism there either. 

But for as much pain the Titans’ receiving corp has induced over the last year and some change, a recent decision has some wondering if it’s the Titans’ own flaws that are preventing them from finding full fledged happiness. 

Let’s talk about it. 

It’s time for a WR intervention, Tennessee

When the Titans’ inactive list came out before Sunday’s game against the Colts, one name instantly popped. 

Kyle Philips

Phillips had been receiving valuable snaps in weeks prior, somewhat creating a safety valve connection with rookie QB Will Levis. 

His production had dipped in previous weeks before the surprise inactive, but even still, reps are important nonetheless. 

Which is why seeing him on the inactive list felt so surprising. 

The reason for Phillips missing action? There was no official word from Vrabel, but rookie Colton McDowell getting the nod over Phillips gave us a bit of an answer. 

Which was special teams value. 

A decision that seemed crazy initially, but it felt crazier after the game considering Burks only played a small amount of offensive snaps. 

See, there’s no problem with valuing special teams play, especially from players that earn those roles throughout the hard grind of training camp + preseason action. 

It’s how many simply earn money, by surviving as a member of a facet of the game that’s starting to lose its identity as more rule changes are implemented each year. 

But in the Titans’ case, it’s a scenario that’s been leaned upon far too often. If you’ve paid any attention to the Titans’ method of evaluating receivers on their roster over the last few years, you’ll notice that back end of the depth chart bodies usually make the team solely as special teams contributors. 

However, that reliance has been turned into overdrive, especially considering the Phillips situation on Sunday

As a matter of fact, it’s this same reliance that has plagued the Titans’ vision when it comes to ID’ing guys — that aren’t necessarily stars — that can contribute. 

Let’s call it an institutional problem.

When you have a pure receiver that can usually go out and give you valuable snaps, you should instantly lean towards that option instead of pivoting towards…whatever the Titans pivoted to. 

It shouldn’t take much to figure out why, as the reasons are as basic as can be.

But they’re potentially crucial towards the effort of making sure your quarterback is as comfortable as possible. 

Rookie or not, although way more important when you have a rookie on the helm.

There’s a reason why the Titans didn’t trade DeAndrs Hopkins or Derrick Henry right? So why go away from the nucleus of the concept of keeping both players, by taking away something that can help your cause? 

Doesn’t make any sense does it?

The Titans need to be more situationally aware of these scenarios, maybe even their thoughts surrounding the receiver position as a whole. 

This isn’t to say the Titans should go out bring in 6 able bodied receivers that can start for any other team. 

This isn’t Madden. 

But what they should do, is put more of an effort towards finding correctly fitted bodies that can contribute, or at least keeping one of your best receiving options active so you won’t run into problems like the Titans did on Sunday. 

 Calls have been made for the Titans to rethink their stance on the receiving position for years now. 

The team hasn’t really listened, but the calls remain to thi

This isn’t an easy fix of course, but you certainly can’t make the problems worse by opting for special teams coverage from a position the Titans sorely need difference makers at right now.

Maybe Sunday’s occurrence was a one time thing and if it is, then maybe the overreactions are simply overreactions.

But if it’s a consistent thing, then the Titans have more problems on their hands. 

And for a team that has problems stacking to the ceiling right now, that should be the last thing being put on their plate. 

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