With frequent use of a three-wide set, Titans wide receiver Kendall Wright received substantial playing time in his first career NFL game. (Getty Images) |
In an effort to create more transparency, the NFL has for the first time released play-time percentages for every player in the league.
The numbers provide an accurate representation of a player’s impact on a team’s performance. The statistics can also measure a player’s endurance and a team’s depth at a number of positions.
For instance, four of the Tennessee Titans’ starting offensive linemen -- left tackle Michael Roos, left guard Steve Hutchinson, center Fernando Velasco and right tackle David Stewart -- appeared in all 65 of the teams’ offensive snaps in Sunday’s 34-13 loss to the Patriots. Right guard Leroy Harris is battling a knee injury and appeared in only 50 of the Titans’ 65 snaps. Harris was replaced by backup guard Kevin Matthews in the fourth quarter after suffering from leg fatigue.
“We were worried about that going in, the fatigue of his leg,” coach Mike Munchak said.
In Kendall Wright’s first professional game, the rookie wide receiver appeared in 80 percent of the Titans’ snaps. The Titans plan to use a two-tight-end set often in 2012. Against the Patriots, tight end Jared Cook appeared in 60 of 65 (or 90 percent) of the Titans’ offensive plays. Wide receiver Nate Washington appeared in 45 plays (69 percent) before leaving the game with a leg contusion in the fourth quarter.
On defense, cornerback Jason McCourty played in all 67 of Tennessee’s snaps against Tom Brady's offense. Safeties Robert Johnson and Michael Griffin, as well as cornerback Alterraun Verner, each received more than 90 percent of the team’s total snaps on defense. Johnson has supplanted Jordan Babineaux at strong safety. Babineaux received just 15 snaps (22 percent).
“Throughout camp we thought Griff was making a lot of plays by the line of scrimmage and we liked what Johnson was doing playing centerfield,” Munchak said. “That’s something that can be tweaked weekly if we need to with Babineaux.”
Starting defensive ends Kamerion Wimbley and Derrick Morgan each received 58 snaps (87 percent). Of the defensive linemen, second-year defensive tackles Jurrell Casey (72 percent) and Karl Klug (63 percent) earned the most playing time. In rookie Mike Martin’s first career start, the defensive tackle appeared in 35 snaps (52 percent).
Formation analysis: In the offseason, offensive coordinator Chris Palmer promised to open up the offense by incorporating elements of the run-and-shoot into his scheme.
Palmer used a three-wide receiver set on 40 of 65 offensive plays (61.5 percent) vs. New England. In 2011, the Titans had three wideouts in the game on 58 percent of their total plays on offense.
Despite Sunday's loss, Jake Locker had six completions of 16 yards or more. The Titans used at least three wide receivers on all six. Locker spread the ball to seven receivers on his first seven completions in the first quarter. On the seventh, Locker connected with Cook on a 19-yard reception up the middle in between Patriots’ safeties Patrick Chung and Steve Gregory and linebacker Jerod Mayo.
The Titans used an empty backfield on just 6 percent of their offensive plays last season, according to footballoutsiders.com. Palmer ran a set with four wideouts or more on only four percent of all plays, footballoutsiders.com found.
Two Titans’ players waived: The Titans waived offensive tackle Troy Kropog and defensive end Pannel Egboh on Tuesday.
The moves were required to make room for WR Kenny Britt, who returns to the roster from suspension and G Deuce Lutui, who agreed to terms on a contract Monday. Egboh received a large number of snaps with the first-team defense throughout training camp, but was on the inactive list for Sunday’s loss. Kropog, a three-year veteran, spent the majority of his Titan career on the practice squad.
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