Aug 13, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (2) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the first half against San Diego Chargers at Nissan Stadium. Photo Credit: Joshua Lindsey-USA TODAY Sports
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — It was only the first preseason game, so expectations and optimism must be kept in check.
However, after the Tennessee Titans hung up 288 rushing yards and three touchdowns on the ground against the San Diego Chargers on Saturday, it did send a notice that the team will have an identity on offense this season.
That identity is built around running backs DeMarco Murray and Derrick Henry and on a revamped offensive line that held its own the first time out in preseason.
The previous two seasons, the Titans had no ability to run the football, as their only 100-yard rusher during that time was quarterback Marcus Mariota, thanks mostly to his 87-yard scramble against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
So what is different for the Titans in 2016 after being one of the NFL’s worst running teams a year ago?
Coach Mike Mularkey had a number of different talking points to illustrate the changes.
“Coaching. Russ (Grimm) has come in here. Scheme is a little different, what we’re doing,” Mularkey said. “We’ve added some new additions up front. Obviously, the backs back there have a difference in it. We have to be able to call the runs, it’s called a run game. It’s a lot easier to call the game when the run game is working and functioning like it is as a play-caller.”
Murray began the scoring with a 71-yard touchdown run on his way to 93 yards on just six carries. Henry added 74 yards and a 6-yard TD on 10 carries, while Bishop Sankey found the end zone from 41 yards out in the second half to put the game away.
“That’s how we want it to look,” Henry said. “It starts with the O-line. They took pride and really did a good job for us to have the holes we had today.”
The Titans will try to build on that new-found identity to not only be able to balance the offense, but to better protect Mariota. Tennessee allowed 54 sacks a year ago, and Mariota missed four games with two separate knee injuries.
