Tennessee Titans cornerback Kristian Fulton is in the midst of a contract year and could net himself a nice payday if he performs at a high level. However, after three weeks, Fulton has certainly not been at his best.
Fulton’s injury issues creeped up in Week 1, forcing him to miss much of the game with a hamstring injury. He was able to return to the game but also allowed a key reception that helped lift the New Orleans Saints to a win.
After sitting out Week 2, Fulton returned for last week’s contest against the Cleveland Browns, where he was promptly roasted for four receptions on four targets for 95 yards and a touchdown. He would have given up more yards and quite possibly another touchdown if not for a bad call by refs.
Making matters worse, Fulton committed a pair of penalties, one of which bailed the Browns out of a second-and-26 situation. Cleveland went on to capitalize, scoring a touchdown later in the drive.
In all, Fulton has surrendered receptions on 7-of-8 passes thrown his way for 165 yards and a touchdown, which amounts to a perfect passer rating of 158.3, according to Pro Football Focus.
“I just didn’t play my best game,” Fulton said of Week 3, per John Glennon of Nashville Post. “That’s what it is. It’s got to be better from my end.”
When asked to elaborate on his showing last Sunday, Fulton said it came down to technique.
“Everything I gave up I knew was on me not playing my technique,” he said. “I’d say [I just need to be] more patient at the line. I feel like I wasn’t really as patient. That could be from coming back from that week off, just not being as confident or whatever in my actions. But I felt great as the game went on.”
Defensive coordinator Shane Bowen also pointed to his week off, saying that might have impacted Fulton’s play.
“I think just being out here — he’s just got to practice,” Bowen said. “He was dealing with some stuff early on. The speed of practice, lining up and going [against teammates will help].”
Focus is something else Bowen talked about for the entire defense, something that applies to Fulton.
One example of Fulton’s lack of focus came on Browns wide receiver Amari Cooper’s 43-yard touchdown grab in which Fulton looked to be asleep at the wheel, allowing Cooper to run right by him.
“Every single guy on the field has to assume they’re going to get the ball thrown at them on every single play,” Bowen said. “That’s how we’ve got to play. We can’t take plays off. We’ve got to be locked in because the moment you don’t, they find you.”
Things aren’t going to get any easier for Fulton in Week 4, as he draws a matchup with Bengals star wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase. The LSU product can redeem himself with a strong showing there, but nothing we’ve seen so far this season suggests he’ll be able to do that.
[lawrence-auto-related count=5]