The Titans are once again a forgettable Caste squad with the exception of rookie WR Kyle Philips and QB Ryan Tannehill.
Philips was a fifth round steal out of UCLA who immediately excelled in training camp and was the team’s leading receiver in Week One, though he injured his shoulder in Week Two and is likely to miss Week Three. However his future is very bright as long as Ryan Tannehill is Tennessee’s starting quarterback as Tannehill trusts Philips as already the most reliable of the team’s receivers, as the others are a mediocre bunch to be kind about it after the departure of A. J. Brown.
How long Tannehill may continue starting is in doubt as the Titans may be on the way to a non-playoff season after being the AFC’s number one seed last year. But the AFC South is weak so they could win the division with a less than sterling won-loss record. If the team looks to be a non-contender, Tannehill will of course be scapegoated just as he was in Miami, and rookie Malik Willis, the darling of DWFs, is on deck to replace Tannehill.
The offensive line, usually three-fifths or four-fifths White for many years, is down to a single overachiever after stalwart tackle Taylor Lewan incurred a knee injury in Week Two and may be done for the year. So the Titans currently have just four White starters, and as with other teams that’s being generous as the “starting” fullback, Tory Carter, played 11% of the snaps in Week Two, indicating he’s nothing but a WSTD.
Cody Hollister is a back-up WR who was up to 34% of the snaps in Week Two, a career best for him as he may pick up some of Philips’ playing time while he’s injured.
Veteran Austin Hooper, who’s serviceable but isn’t among the elite at his position, is the starting tight end, backed up by Geoff Swaim and Kevin Rader.
Back-up linebacker Derrek Tuszka, picked up after being cut by the Steelers, is the only White defensive player on the 53.
Even though this team somehow has 15 Whites on the roster, it doesn’t seem like it. Mike Vrabel, who had to serve a lengthy racial apprenticeship that only ended when he signed with New England as a free agent after spending four years with Pittsburgh, has been a big disappointment as the Titans’ head coach to put it mildly.
LT: Taylor Lewan (long-time starter and Pro Bowler appears done for the season)
C: Ben Jones, Corey Levin
RG: Dillon Radunz
QB: Ryan Tannehill
WR: Kyle Philips (listed as second string by Our Lads but should be the official starting slot receiver at some point this season), Cody Hollister
TE: Austin Hooper, Geoff Swaim, Kevin Rader
FB: Tory Carter
LB: Derrek Tuszka
Number of White Starters: 4 (Philips could push this to five but the starting FB is purely a WSTD)
Number of White players on 53 man roster: 15
Grade: F+
P: Ryan Stonehouse
PK: Randy Bullock
LS: Morgan Cox
Practice squad: QB Logan Woodside, OT Christian DiLauro, LB Jack Gibbens, OT Andrew Lupcich, WR Mason Kinsey, G Jordan Roos
Currently on IR: TE Tommy Hudson, LB Chance Campbell
Philips was a fifth round steal out of UCLA who immediately excelled in training camp and was the team’s leading receiver in Week One, though he injured his shoulder in Week Two and is likely to miss Week Three. However his future is very bright as long as Ryan Tannehill is Tennessee’s starting quarterback as Tannehill trusts Philips as already the most reliable of the team’s receivers, as the others are a mediocre bunch to be kind about it after the departure of A. J. Brown.
How long Tannehill may continue starting is in doubt as the Titans may be on the way to a non-playoff season after being the AFC’s number one seed last year. But the AFC South is weak so they could win the division with a less than sterling won-loss record. If the team looks to be a non-contender, Tannehill will of course be scapegoated just as he was in Miami, and rookie Malik Willis, the darling of DWFs, is on deck to replace Tannehill.
The offensive line, usually three-fifths or four-fifths White for many years, is down to a single overachiever after stalwart tackle Taylor Lewan incurred a knee injury in Week Two and may be done for the year. So the Titans currently have just four White starters, and as with other teams that’s being generous as the “starting” fullback, Tory Carter, played 11% of the snaps in Week Two, indicating he’s nothing but a WSTD.
Cody Hollister is a back-up WR who was up to 34% of the snaps in Week Two, a career best for him as he may pick up some of Philips’ playing time while he’s injured.
Veteran Austin Hooper, who’s serviceable but isn’t among the elite at his position, is the starting tight end, backed up by Geoff Swaim and Kevin Rader.
Back-up linebacker Derrek Tuszka, picked up after being cut by the Steelers, is the only White defensive player on the 53.
Even though this team somehow has 15 Whites on the roster, it doesn’t seem like it. Mike Vrabel, who had to serve a lengthy racial apprenticeship that only ended when he signed with New England as a free agent after spending four years with Pittsburgh, has been a big disappointment as the Titans’ head coach to put it mildly.
LT: Taylor Lewan (long-time starter and Pro Bowler appears done for the season)
C: Ben Jones, Corey Levin
RG: Dillon Radunz
QB: Ryan Tannehill
WR: Kyle Philips (listed as second string by Our Lads but should be the official starting slot receiver at some point this season), Cody Hollister
TE: Austin Hooper, Geoff Swaim, Kevin Rader
FB: Tory Carter
LB: Derrek Tuszka
Number of White Starters: 4 (Philips could push this to five but the starting FB is purely a WSTD)
Number of White players on 53 man roster: 15
Grade: F+
P: Ryan Stonehouse
PK: Randy Bullock
LS: Morgan Cox
Practice squad: QB Logan Woodside, OT Christian DiLauro, LB Jack Gibbens, OT Andrew Lupcich, WR Mason Kinsey, G Jordan Roos
Currently on IR: TE Tommy Hudson, LB Chance Campbell
