| Kenny Britt's 34-yard TD on Sunday was overshadowed by several dropped balls by Titans' receivers. (US Presswire) |
With an inability to capitalize on the vertical passing game downfield and produce yards after the catch this season, the Tennessee Titans ended Week 13 ranked 19th in the NFL in passing offense.
Despite the struggles overall, Titans receivers had little trouble holding onto the ball through their first 11 games. That changed in Sunday’s loss to the Texans, when Houston dropped at least six passes, including four in the first quarter.
“Their number one job is to concentrate, focus and make the tough catch,” Titans coach Mike Munchak said. “You drill on those things every single day. We do competition periods so they’re getting balls that are contested. You’re not going against a scout team, that’s why we have those periods where we’re competing against our best DBs. That’s about as game-like as you can get.”
On the Titans’ second offensive drive in the first quarter, WR Nate Washington received tight coverage from Texans CB Brandon Harris and dropped a pass that was nearly intercepted by Brice McCain. WR Kendall Wright opened the next drive with a drop on a drag route in the right flat with 5:39 left in the first quarter. It was the first of consecutive drops, as Kenny Britt was unable to haul in a Jake Locker pass on a slant on the following play. TE Taylor Thompson also dropped a short pass out of the backfield at the end of the quarter.
“It’s definitely a concern we have,” Thompson said. “It’s an area we can improve on.”
Midway through the fourth quarter, the Titans trailed 24-10 when a drive stalled after consecutive drops by Wright. Faced with press coverage from Texans CB Rashad Carmichael, Wright dropped a pass while running a slant on a 3rd and 5 from the Texans’ 38. On 4th and 5, Wright dropped a Locker pass that was deflected by Carmichael.
The Titans have 22 drops on the season (13th most in the NFL), according to STATS, LLC. The Lions lead the league with 33 drops.
Titans critical of late hit by Texans DE Smith: There has been some bad blood in the Titans-Texans rivalry over the past several seasons -- most notably in 2010 when Andre Johnson and Cortland Finnegan were both ejected after an on-field fight. An incident on the Titans’ final offensive play of Sunday’s loss has the potential to carry over into next season’s series.
Texans LB Darryl Sharpton intercepted Locker on a tipped pass with 2:05 left. As C Fernando Velasco sprinted toward the play, he was knocked to the ground on a forearm shiver by Houston DE Antonio Smith. Officials spotted the play, as the Texans’ eight-year veteran was whistled for a personal foul blindside block. Velasco limped off with an apparent lower leg injury.
“It was totally unnecessary,” Munchak said. “There’s no place in the game for it. I’m glad they saw it; I’m sure there will be some consequences to that. That’s totally out of line -- I think he was just taking a cheap shot at the end.”
Smith criticized Titans RT David Stewart for his dirty play following the Texans’ 38-14 win in Week 4.
“It was cheap, dirty,” Velasco said. “Hopefully next year he’ll be voted as one of the dirtiest players in the league.”
Injury updates: Stewart will be placed on IR after undergoing surgery on his fractured right leg on Sunday night. Stewart suffered the injury when Texans LB Barrett Ruud rolled up on the back of his leg on a 26-yard run by Chris Johnson in the first quarter. Munchak said at his Monday press conference that he had yet to receive an update from Titans’ team physician Dr. Burton Elrod on what took place during the procedure.
“I thought nothing happened, I thought he just had his wind knocked out with how tough Stew is,” RG Deuce Lutui said. “He had no facial expressions whatsoever of pain. I called him after the game and come to find out that he had plates and screws (inserted into his leg). It’s a pretty scary feeling.”
FS Robert Johnson tore some ligaments in his foot and will likely be placed on IR, Munchak said. WR Damian Williams also suffered a hamstring injury when he collided with an LP Field security guard just before the half.
“He was trying to avoid running him over and when he pulled up it popped on him,” Munchak said.
Munchak did not provide a timetable on when Williams could return. DE Kamerion Wimbley left Sunday’s game with a toe injury. Munchak doesn’t anticipate it being a long-term injury. Munchak expects LT Michael Roos (knee) to be available for Sunday’s game at Indianapolis. LB Colin McCarthy (concussion) is expected to return to practice on Wednesday, Munchak said.
LG Steve Hutchinson (knee) also underwent an MRI on Monday. Munchak said Monday he didn’t have the test results yet, but he doesn’t anticipate Hutchinson being out for the remainder of the season, and that he was optimistic Hutchinson didn’t tear a ligament.
For more up-to-the-minute news on the Tennessee Titans, follow Matt Rybaltowski @CBSTitans.