One of the main takeaways from last night’s preseason game was the fact that Treylon Burks didn’t play. Initially, I wasn’t even thinking about Treylon Burks. I was more focused on Malik Willis and the 2nd string offensive line. But then, I saw this tweet from Senior Writer/Columnist for The Athletic Nashville and co-host of 102.5’s Robby and Rexode Joe Rexode.
His tweet has been shared across all social media platforms and while I respect Joe’s work/opinions, I wholeheartedly disagree with it.
Let’s keep it real for a second, why is he singling out Treylon Burks and championing Nick Westbrook-Ikhine? I mean NWI won me completely over last night with that touchdown play he made, but let’s not sit up here and act like he’s anything more than WR4/5. Joe seems to think differently though.
It seems like a pretty biased take in my opinion. Let’s get down to business though because Titans fans seem to be running with this like it came from the football gods.
To keep it all the way real, a majority of the starters should’ve played last night. Don’t just go after Burks like he’s the only unproven player on the Titans’ roster. Call all of them out.
What has Will Levis accomplished in this league that Patrick Mahomes’ hasn’t? I know y’all saw that behind the back pass his made yesterday against the Lions. If not, here you go.
Nice pass huh? Now if the only elite quarterback in the NFL is out here doing that in a preseason game, what makes you think Will Levis doesn’t need to get as many reps in as possible? I know some of y’all are fans of his new mayo cologne, but he hasn’t accomplished anything significant in the NFL yet. I’m just keeping it real.
Now let’s talk about one of his new wide receivers, Calvin Ridley. I’m happy Ridley is a Titan my damn self, but the chemistry between him and Levis has been off. As a matter of fact, it’s been one of the most discussed topics coming out of Titans training camp.
I’m not too concerned about their chemistry at this point but if you going to single out Treylon Burks for not playing in that game last night, you should be on Ridley’s neck as well. What’s the excuse for him not playing last night? He struggled like hell in those joint practices against the Seahawks. A four-your $92 million dollar contract doesn’t make Ridley a sure product as a Titan.
Last, let’s talk about the offensive line. Let’s talk about how the offensive line struggled in those same joint practices Ridley struggled in. CBS Sports’ Jordan Dajani attended practice last week. He made it a point to watch the Titans offensive line vs. Seattle’s defensive line. He pointed out one on one drills aren’t everything, but the Seahawks won those drills.
“One-on-ones aren’t everything, but I did make it a point to watch the Titans offensive line starters go through some reps on Thursday. All-in-all, the Seahawks won the “drill.”Ā
Latham’s first rep was solid. His defender worked a swim move to the inside, which is a death sentence for some tackles. But Latham rebounded, didn’t give up on the play and moved the pass rusher away from the staffer playing quarterback. Right tackleĀ Nicholas Petit-FrereĀ got beat off the edge byĀ Boye Mafe. However, NPF adjusted his technique and swallowed rookie Sunny Anderson on his next rep, which drew praise from offensive line coach Bill Callahan.
Callahan has given Petit-Frere credit for attempting to quickly catch-up after his preseason was delayed due to a surprise stint on the PUP list. Still, I’m pretty worried about the offensive line as a whole.”
If Jordan DaJani is worried about the offensive line as a whole, why aren’t you worried? If you are worried, why aren’t you complaining about them not playing last night? I know some of y’all believe that Bill Callahan can turn water into wine, but the truth is he can’t.
I don’t have a problem with Treylon Burks not playing last night. I don’t have a problem with any of the starters not playing last night. I’m going to trust and respect the head coach’s decision when it comes to this. If you are one of the ones attacking Treylon Burks for not playing though, you are being a hypocrite. Call them all the players out that didn’t play last night because the last time I checked, the Titans finished 4th in the AFC South with a 6-11 record. The team as a whole isn’t proven. Last and certainly not least, call Brian Callahan out because he’s the one who decided not to play the starters!!!!
#TitanUp
I disagree burkes has been bad for 2 years.. nwi should be above him anyway. And the guy calling out why burkes is sitting with the ones is valid.. burkes needs to be out there when the field crew is out there too.. he needs to be on the field doing something.. instead we still pay him to not play and when he does it’s not good.. so yeah we all know he should not even be wr 4.. this seemed more of a don’t talk about my boy article.. when it’s obvious he was saying that burkes should be playing behind NWI because burkes has produced way less then him. I mean the call everyone out comment is kinda crazy, I mean if you think he has produced more than nwi has, then I don’t know what team you have been watching..
Donāt mind treylon sitting that game out, but man Iām so tired of the disrespect for NWI. Hasnāt mattered if itās tannehill on a bum ankle or will Levis taking a hit while throwing a deep ball in the corner of the end zone. When his number is called that dawg answers the phone.