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It has been a tricky week for the Tennessee Titans. Heck, trying again, it has been a tricky YEAR for the Titans.
This crew has been decimated by damage, and the Titans hit all-time low when reviews got here out this week that Ryan Tannehill was possible achieved for the season.
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Nevertheless, if you’d like a silver lining, it’s proper in entrance of you: Malik Willis.
Willis had some struggles together with some successes earlier within the season when he was pressured into obligation. He gained a recreation in opposition to the Texans that didn’t require a lot from him, after which made a couple of extra performs in opposition to Kansas Metropolis when he nearly knocked off the Chiefs.
Make no mistake, Willis didn’t look able to be a starter in these video games.
He acquired his first motion since these video games when Tannehill missed a couple of drives in opposition to the Chargers. Willis performed 10 snaps, however in these ten snaps we noticed some actual progress from his first two video games.
He went by his reads faster, threw to the right man, and we even noticed him lastly make a good play along with his legs, one thing that has been surprisingly lacking when Willis has performed.
Let’s check out how Willis carried out and what we’d get to see from Willis the remainder of the season…
Malik is within the gun right here, with 5 males unfold vast, and the Titans try to create a straightforward learn for him.
I really like how Malik is pondering right here: the protection jumps offsides, so take a shot down the sphere! The Chargers deep security is on the high of the display, so Malik has a one-on-one on the sideline on the backside of the display with Westbrook-Ihkine.
On this route, NWI has the choice to sit down it down or take it vertical based mostly on what the protection does. Now, I get why NWI sat this route down, however I additionally get why (free play, security away) Malik wished to go deep. I believe that is the suitable choice and an excellent throw, however there’s easy miscommunication on which path to run.
Regardless, absolute nonsense this was referred to as for intentional grounding; that’s by no means referred to as.
I really like this idea for Malik. It is a actual RPO; so many of us mistake read-option run performs for RPO.
Learn-option offers the RB or the QB an opportunity to run with no move possibility. A Run-Cross Possibility (RPO) offers the QB the choice handy it off or throw. Malik needs to be well-versed in each.
Right here, Malik can hand off to Henry, however the field is clogged. Whereas studying the field he is also staring down the person protecting the within receiver. If that man sits again, Malik can hand it off. If that man comes ahead, like we see him do right here, Malik can hit the surface in route.
Malik had points with processing pace and decision-making early this 12 months, so though it looks as if easy pitch and catch, that is good progress from Malik along with his timing.
This was very nice to see from Malik on somewhat zone-beater.
Haskins goes out into the flat and pulls the flat defender to him. The nook floats with Hooper on the in route and Conley sits down for a brief curl.
Malik makes the suitable choice after studying the protection. What acquired him there’s extra encouraging, although.
Watch how Malik shortly works by his progressions — Hooper first, checks exterior on Haskins, then comes again to fireplace it in to Conley. Willis Stands within the pocket and delivers with stress in his face, too.
These are big-small wins for Malik.
This play begins somewhat wonky. Malik fakes to Henry, however Henry isn’t operating a faux. I’d assume if the protection reveals a sure look it cancels the faux and Henry goes proper to blocking. Henry most likely knew that, perhaps Malik forgot. I don’t know, however that is one thing you possibly can’t get with Tannehill.
Nobody is open and Malik strikes within the pocket. I really like how he resets his throwing basis and continues searching downfield. Not solely is that this good, but it surely fakes out the linebacker and Malik makes use of it nearly as a juke. He will get upfield and features some good yardage.
This ability will probably be beneficial with the state of the offensive line and lack of separation from the move catchers. Principally, it’s honest to assume WRs will proceed to not be open and the road will proceed to not maintain up.
One other unusual one, however that is on Downing, not Malik. Effectively, perhaps it’s on nobody and the protection simply made a play. Both means, the purpose is that this isn’t a foul play from Malik.
Pretend swing move out to Chig Okonkwo right into a slip display to Derrick Henry. Henry isn’t open and perhaps sooner or later, Malik simply throws it at Henry’s toes, however he tries to make a play along with his legs.
He’s stopped for no acquire, however this wasn’t on him.
I really like this design. Chig is within the backfield to the boundary facet, with Racey McMath as the road of scrimmage man tight to the formation. McMath runs a nook route and Chig comes out into the flat.
Easy two-man learn right here for Malik. If the CB sits within the flat, take the one-on-one to Racey. If not, hit Chig within the flat shortly with area. Effectively-executed play and the suitable learn from Malik, which is most necessary.
Final play for Malik on this recreation. It’s an incompletion, however as I’ve talked about all through, the purpose is to see progress.
The Chargers’ protection drops again and it leaves Hooper open beneath. Malik goes by his reads shortly sufficient to get the ball to Hoop earlier than the protection can collapse too laborious.
Sadly, an ideal play was made by Khalil Mack on the line of scrimmage, however the suitable learn, choice and throw from Malik.
Right here is the fact: this crew nonetheless has a horrible offensive line and solid of pass-catchers. Malik was at all times meant to have a redshirt first season, so I don’t assume it might be honest to make use of these subsequent few video games to make any definitive assertion on his future.
HOWEVER, we do have to see some progress from his earlier two begins to have religion he can progress sufficient to be a starter quickly. Sunday in opposition to the Chargers we noticed some enchancment on earlier points, let’s hope that enchancment continues in opposition to Houston.
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