The Tennessee Titans added some competition at the backup guard spot after agreeing to terms with former Houston Roughnecks (XFL) guard, Avery Gennesy.
Gennesy is a big man (6-foot-3, 318 pounds) who was the Roughnecks’ starting right guard in 2020 before the XFL season was cancelled due to the coronavirus outbreak.
The Texas A&M product excelled in pass protection with Houston, as he allowed just one QB pressure on 222 pass-blocking snaps, according to Pro Football Focus.
Avery Gennesy allowed just 1 QB pressure on 222 pass-blocking snaps played for the Houston Roughnecks 💪 #Titans https://t.co/gE4WAFet93
— PFF TEN Titans (@PFF_Titans) April 17, 2020
Of course, that’s against a lower standard of competition in the XFL, but it also gives hope that Gennesy could be a step up over current backup guard/center, Jamil Douglas.
Douglas infamously posted a PFF pass-blocking grade of 12.4 during the Week 3 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars last season and was not good overall in relief of Nate Davis to start the season.
Any chance we get to see less of Douglas on the field in a backup role is a win for the Titans; although it must be said that Douglas could stick around again for 2020 no matter what because of his ability to play center, also.
Hopefully Gennesy is capable of doing the same, but I digress.
While Gennesy projects to play strictly guard in the Titans’ system because of his size, he does have the versatility to play at the tackle spot in a pinch. He played left tackle in college and right tackle during his days in the AAF.
On the extreme side of things, Gennesy could also be a candidate to push the Titans’ current starter at right guard, Davis, who was OK but certainly not great during his rookie campaign.
It’s doubtful Gennesy will beat out the Titans’ third-round pick out of training camp, but some extra competition definitely won’t hurt.
If we’re talking about Gennesy being a reserve player for 2020, this move is a winner.