Tennessee found in Derrick Henry, a heavyweight of the runners capable of overwhelming defenders with his arm and the strength of his legs, his attack engine. With four consecutive games of at least 100 yards in the regular season, and two games of a minimum of 200 units combined in the first two games of the playoffs, the running back had a season finale in which the Titans supported his scheme. game to get to the American Conference Championship Game.
However, the team’s identity changed after Henry’s arrival in the 2016 NFL Draft. What allowed the team to rank among the contenders was a move that dates back to 2019 free agency. After seven seasons in Miami, and negative results, except for a campaign with a mark above .500%, a shoulder injury and the arrival of new administrators and leaders to the Dolphins made that Ryan Tannehill search for a new site in which to search for ownership.
The quarterback signed for one year and only $ 7 million guaranteed in Tennessee. Marcus Mariota entering his final year of a rookie contract received the benefit of the doubt from the strategist Mike Vrabel. By the seventh date, the opportunity came for Tannehill to open the game. Taking the team with a 2-4 record, Tannehill distributed the ball differently and the results were positive. The Titans finished 9-7 with a spot on the wild card card.
“Ryan has worked very hard. He came in as a replacement and the trade was made. He has become a very efficient quarterback for us. A very good leader. This team means a lot to him. He’s a captain, obviously.”said Vrabel, according to NBC Sports. “Under his control and what we try to do each week keeps us on the right plays. He gets rid of the ball. He can keep plays alive. He can slip away.”
“I think he can have fun. He’s enjoying it. That’s something he would say, that have fun and that he took advantage of last year’s opportunity when it came to him, and he certainly hasn’t looked back. “, said the strategist.
In seven years in Miami, Tannehill went 42-46. Once in Nashville, Tannehill maintains a record as a starter of 11-3, and 2-1 in the postseason. At 32 years old, four games from starting the calendar for his team, this is the first season in which he has participated in each and every one of the plays for his team.
The quarterback has also remained healthy, something he was unable to do during his last three years under contract in Miami, and which cost him the entire campaign of 2017.
Balance en Tennessee
One of the main reasons Vrabel’s team is at the forefront of the AFC South and as one of four undefeated teams (Steelers, Packers, Seahawks) is the balance between defense and attack. Starting with the turnovers, one lost for nine recovered, the Titans rank among the top spots on both sides of the ball.
They are sixth in points scored (30.5) and ninth in points received (22.5). They are tenth in running scores (5) and seventh allowing six-point carries (3).
