When going through the All-22 tape of the Tennessee Titans’ Week 1 loss, it was blatantly obvious that quarterback Ryan Tannehill had one of the worst performances of his career on Sunday.
For some reason, a lot of people’s natural reaction was to blame the offensive line. I’m assuming it’s because it’s a lot easier for them to digest that rather than accepting that the guy making the most money and playing the most important position was the worst player on the field.
Buy Titans TicketsThe offensive line wasn’t perfect by any means, but it was more than good enough to win on Sunday. The harsh reality is, Tannehill made the group appear much worse than it really was.
When looking at the film, I found the perfect play that summed up his day. We all know about the interceptions and inaccurate passes, but in my opinion, this was one of the most concerning parts of his afternoon.
Early in the first quarter, the Titans ran a play that was meant to take advantage of a New Orleans Saints linebacker by putting him in a bind with two players attacking his zone.
Tennessee is in an empty set and is likely aiming to attack the curl/hook area of the field on this first-and-10 play.
Running back Tyjae Spears is going to run a pivot route into the flat while wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins is going to run an eighth-yard in/dig route.
Before we get started, watch the play in its entirety posted below, with eyes on the left side of the field.
This play is perfectly executed. Spears attacks the linebacker’s leverage and sells his route flawlessly before pivoting toward the flat.
The linebacker commits to him the entire time and is caught flat-footed, with his eyes and shoulders facing the Titans running back almost immediately. At that point, Tannehill should know that Hopkins is going to be open the second he safely passes that linebacker.
Even if the defender somehow recognized it in time, it would’ve been damn-near impossible to flip his hips, turn, run, and cover Hopkins, who is already operating at full speed.
The second Hopkins gets even or behind the linebacker that is facing Spears, the Titans quarterback should’ve been starting his throwing motion.
On top of that, look at the flawless pocket Tannehill has in front of him.
There’s absolutely no way a veteran quarterback like him should miss this. He had enough room to step into his throw and rip it with anticipation right to a striding Hopkins, who likely picks up a nice gain.
That ball should’ve been well on its way at the point shown in the picture below. You can even see Hopkins brace for the pass that’s never going to come.
Instead, Tannehill waits until it’s too late, which then allowed the safety to crash down to take away what was once open. Tannehill subsequently panics and somehow turns a play that should’ve been pitch-and-catch into a sack.
This play was open for so long that he could’ve waited until Hopkins started his break to begin his throwing motion and he still would’ve ripped it cleanly to the open zone.
Yet, he waits until Hopkins is covered and the pocket collapses, ultimately forcing fans to blame the offensive line on a play that is 1,000 percent on Tannehill.
Nobody is pretending any of this is easy in live action, but it comes with the job description and it’s why quarterbacks are paid the way they are. Playing the position is a chess match in which you need to win with your mind just as much as your arm.
The second Tannehill saw the linebacker commit to Spears should’ve been the perfect indicator that the middle of the field would be open. But he didn’t pick that up and a positive play suddenly became a negative one.
Let’s just hope this gets cleaned up soon because Tennessee will not survive if its quarterback continues to hold the offense back.
