Kevin,

First let me say any time anybody writes a 7 minute article about the Titans I am appreciative since my favorite team has been a doormat for a number of years.

You provide a healthy dose of criticism towards Mike Mularkey and the direction you believe he is taking this team. As a Titans fan, I will say I was very disappointed that the team resigned Mularkey without having a genuine pool of candidates to evaluate. Announcing to the football world that this will be a run first team was unconventional, but let me provide some insight to football fans that don’t follow the Titans. Half way through training camp , the team has two new starting wide receivers Rishard Mathews and rookie Tajae Sharpe who has blown the coaching staff away with their precise route running. Kendall Wright is back to his natural position in the slot. During open practices, they’ve still been working shotgun formation, and working to improve the catching of Murray and Henry. Also, open practice reports are showing that Mariota is throwing the ball deep and with better accuracy than last year. If you think the Titans will be sitting in the I formation 2/3s of the time this season you are wrong.

You argue that because the Panthers use a spread offense with Cam, that it disproves Mularkey’s skepticism towards the effectiveness of spread offenses. Newton is built like a linebacker and has probably 30 pounds on Mariota. It is much different running the spread offense when it is 3rd and short. The Titans were in 3rd and long most of the time last season, and defensive units were able to scheme to disrupt and hit Mariota a lot because of the down and distance.

Mularkey has a lot to prove, but he is not wrong by saying this team needs to become proficient in pounding the rock. Russell Wilson had the benefit of Marshawn Lynch to begin his career. Derrick Henry and Demarco Murray will look to provide the same benefit to Marcus.