When a team’s head coach has to defend his special teams coordinator, it likely means the day didn’t go well.
That’s what first-year Titans coach Brian Callahan had to do after Tennessee struggled with long returns from the Detroit Lions in Sunday’s 52-14 loss. The Titans gave up 262 yards and a touchdown on returns, ruining any chance they had to stay in the game.
Earlier this season, Tennessee also had punts blocked in two consecutive weeks. This has been tough for first-year special teams coordinator Colt Anderson, who was an assistant special teams coach with Cincinnati for the last four seasons.
After the game, Callahan was asked about Anderson’s job security.
“I think Colt’s a good football coach,” he said. “We haven’t played well enough, we haven’t coached well enough. There’s really nothing else to be said about that.”
The Titans’ offense and defense also played a big role in the heavy defeat.
The offense had four turnovers and didn’t force any, negated some big plays with penalties, and failed to score on four consecutive plays from the Lions’ 1-yard line. The defense didn’t force any turnovers and struggled to stop the Lions in the red zone.
It’s not surprising the Titans are 1-6.
“We’ve got to do a lot of things a lot better,” Callahan said. “Right now, it’s not a product people are excited to watch. That’s the way it is. We’ve got to do something about that.”
However, the special teams coverage units were especially noticeable.
After Mason Rudolph’s touchdown pass tied the game at 14-14 in the second quarter, the kickoff team allowed a 72-yard return by Khalil Dorsey. Detroit took the lead for good just three plays later.
The Lions’ fifth touchdown of the first half was set up by Kalif Raymond’s 64-yard punt return.
“We didn’t get down and cover, we missed tackles today,” Callahan said. “We’re putting resources into protection because that wasn’t good enough early, but then we don’t cover very well. Right now, none of it is good enough anywhere.”
The Titans started the second half by committing an illegal formation penalty on a kickoff that wasn’t even returned. After the Titans failed to get a first down, Raymond returned Ryan Stonehouse’s punt 90 yards for a touchdown.
When the Titans tried a trick play against a team known for creative plays, they ended up looking foolish. Running back Tony Pollard took a direct snap and lateraled to Rudolph, who threw what seemed like a 19-yard touchdown pass to Jha’Quan Jackson.
However, that was called back because the officials flagged two holding penalties on the offensive line. Another holding penalty also negated a 25-yard pass from Rudolph to Pollard.
Rudolph, filling in for injured Will Levis, threw for 266 yards but was intercepted twice. Calvin Ridley had a strong game with 10 receptions for 143 yards, but he also fumbled on a running play.
Tennessee has 16 turnovers this season.
The Titans’ front office didn’t show much support for the team last week by trading receiver De’Andre Hopkins to Kansas City and sending second-leading tackler Ernest Jones Sr. to Seattle.
Rudolph said that these trades didn’t affect the team’s performance.
“Not a lot,” he said. “It’s human nature (to think about it), but it’s a distraction for an hour or two.”
