Thursday is always an entertaining day around the NFL. It’s the day that coordinators typically speak with the media. It was no different today as Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator Nick Holz spoke to the media.
With this being the first time Holz met with the media since the team traded away WR DeAndre Hopkins, the focus was destined to be on that and the wide receiver position as a whole. While that did happen, with Holz mentioning that the team is “pressing” to get the ball to Calvin Ridley as well as players such as Mason Kinsey and Bryce Oliver potentially seeing increased reps, it was what he said about the defenses they’ve been facing that are truly interesting.
Nick Holz said the #Titans got a lot of safety dropping down and run biitzing vs the Bills. The focus of defenses has been on stopping the run. Holz said they’ve gone to max protection play action passing to counter.
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) October 24, 2024
This is a comment that might not be backed up by fact. Earlier in the week, Next Gen Stats released the nugget that RB Tony Pollard was the only featured running back in the NFL that did not face a stacked box against the Bills. He followed that with this.
Nick Holz said #Titans are getting more man coverage and some single high safeties than they have expected. “We’re seeing some different looks, and we’ve got to be able to adjust.”
— Terry McCormick (@terrymc13) October 24, 2024
Again, this goes against the data about stacked boxes, although the two comments together could explain the reason. If the Titans are using max-protections and limiting the number of receivers in routes, they could be inadvertently torpedoing their rushing attack.
It is clear the coaching staff has struggled with making adjustments, especially after halftime, and this exchange with the media points to those deficiencies. Not only does this staff have to make better game plans, but they must also be better in-game, and the Titans will continue to have a dismal outlook until that happens.
Find out if any adjustments have been made on Sunday when likely starter Mason Rudolph leads the Titans against the Detroit Lions in Week 8 action.