Two Weeks' Worth of Preseason Analysis Pt. 2

More Preseason Analysis

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We are trucking along with my preseason thoughts. I had so many I had to split them up into three articles. Yesterday, I talked about my overall feelings on Preseason, QB, and RB Battle. Today, I am going to get to the rest of the offense.

Mason Kinsey =/= Kyle Philips

I am unsure if this is just because they’re both short white guys, but this idea that Mason Kinsey is the heir apparent to Kyle Philip’s role on this team is not based in reality. I get that it is an easy, albeit lazy, connection to make, but it is not the correct line of thinking.

Does anyone remember the 2021 preseason? Maybe you wouldn’t, but that is when Mason Kinsey truly flashed. He was targeted 12 times over two weeks. He made ten catches and led the team in receiving yards with 107 yards. He even had a touchdown.

So, why is everyone treating 2023 differently? He is 8 for 9 and 77 yards in two contests. Like, what are we even doing here, people? Let’s take a step back and use some logic here.

Last year, the Titans, including Kyle Philips, were decimated by injuries, per the norm. The Titans only called Mason Kinsey up for two games. Just two. He wasn’t even heavily featured, either.

He is not the next man up regarding the potential of a Philips injury. 

That role likely goes to Chris Moore. Moore does everything and anything asked of him, like Kinsey, but does it at a higher level. He provides way more experience.

According to Vrabel’s most recent Sunday presser, Kinsey does many things right when targeted. However, that qualifier alludes that he still has work to do on stuff we aren’t seeing if you’re not focused on Kinsey.

This isn’t meant to sound like a hit piece on Kinsey. He does everything that is asked of him, and I am sure he is a nice guy, but you have to be realistic. Kinsey is heading into year four.

The Titans, the last two seasons, have been decimated by injury at a historic rate:

• He’s been active for three games over those two years.

• In those three games, he’s played 16 snaps on offense

• In those three games, he’s played nine snaps on special teams.

That is 25 snaps in three games in total, again, throughout two seasons where the Titans saw massive injuries at the wide receiver position and saw rules that could help them call players up.

They also went out of their way to sign guys like Chris Conley, Josh Gordon, and C.J. Board last year to avoid calling Kinsey up. This preseason player continues to trick people into thinking he’s something he’s not.

With neon flashing letters, the team is telling you something you need to notice.

Depth is Good: Tight Ends