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Tennessee Titans rookie quarterback Malik Willis made his third-career begin on Saturday afternoon in opposition to a Houston Texans crew that had misplaced 9 straight coming into the sport.
Sadly, the Liberty product wasn’t in a position to will his crew to a much-needed victory on a day by which he regarded like a uncooked signal-caller for almost all of the competition.
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This isn’t some stunning improvement, both. It was at all times wishful considering to imagine that Willis was going to step on the soccer subject and be an unquestioned franchise quarterback by the top of his rookie season.
Willis’ talent set and potential are clearly there. With that stated, it’s additionally very clear that he nonetheless wants much more time to develop, and he wants considerably extra assist round him.
Willis shouldn’t be on the level the place he can elevate a whole offense round him, nor ought to he be anticipated to, however the actuality is that’s the state of affairs he at the moment finds himself in, as unfair as it might be to him.
The uncooked signal-caller is enjoying behind a banged-up, makeshift offensive line that was already subpar to start with, whereas additionally throwing to one of many worst vast receiver rooms in all the league.
That’s a tough state of affairs for any quarterback, not to mention a younger one which was universally thought of a serious mission coming into the draft.
Willis began the sport doing an general first rate job. On the second drive of the day, he offered his faux nicely sufficient to get a couple of defenders to hesitate simply sufficient to permit Henry to interrupt free for a protracted landing run.
The King is cooking early! 👨🏾🍳
📺: Watch #HOUvsTEN on @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/uMaJot4OYf
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) December 24, 2022
On the very subsequent drive, Tennessee’s 2022 third-round decide related with Treylon Burks for a 22-yard achieve, however a holding penalty wiped that optimistic play away and pushed the crew again.
Shortly after, Willis skilled the ineptitude of Dennis Daley firsthand within the type of a drive-ending sack.
Dennis Daley lol #Titans pic.twitter.com/RCzy1nkf2t
— Justin M (@JustinM_NFL) December 24, 2022
In whole, Willis ended up ending the primary half by finishing six-of-eight passes for 38 yards, together with two carries for 12 yards.
The second half acquired off to a implausible begin for him, as Willis accounted for 2 big-time runs on the primary offensive drive of the half.
On a vital third down, Tennessee’s quarterback evaded a five-man rush, selecting up 12 yards within the course of and preserving the drive alive.
Willis’ finest play of the day occurred shortly after on an unimaginable landing run by the rookie by which he broke a number of tackles with a purpose to get contained in the end-zone.
HE WILL NOT BE DENIED! @malikwillis
📺: Watch #HOUvsTEN on @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/xi6MiaoiO9
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) December 24, 2022
On the very subsequent drive, a mixture of inconsistent assist and sloppy mechanics led to a disastrous turnover on downs.
After a couple of optimistic performs acquired the crew in plus territory, the Liberty legend threw a pleasant ball on third right down to Austin Hooper that was finally dropped.
This pressured the Titans to make the tough option to go for the primary down since they have been in what’s referred to as “no man’s land,” across the opposing 40-yard line.
The choice ended up backfiring, as Willis missed his goal after sloppy footwork and inconsistent mechanics pressured an inaccurate go that in all probability would have been quick even when it had been accomplished.
In the long run, the Titans had two separate probabilities to steal a last-second win, however as a substitute, it led to 2 backbreaking interceptions that put the dagger within the Titans’ hopes of ending this horrid dropping streak.
Willis ended his third profession begin by finishing 14-of-23 passes for 99 yards and two interceptions, whereas additionally including 43 yards and one landing on the bottom as nicely.
It wasn’t the ending or efficiency anybody hoped for, but when there’s any optimistic to remove from this, it’s that this shall be a useful studying expertise for the rookie’s improvement going ahead.
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