Tag: Nicholas Petit-Frere

Titans’ Brian Callahan: ‘Right tackle is by far the weakest link’

Same game, same result for the Tennessee Titans at the right tackle position, they just aren’t good enough.

The Tennessee Titans lost to the Minnesota Vikings in Week 11, and once again, one of their biggest flaws was exposed. The Titans need a right tackle!

The right tackle position has plagued the team this entire season, dating back to training camp, and yet, no matter what changes are made, there is still a major issue. This week, they may have cost the Titans the ball game.  Even head coach Brian Callahan acknowledges this. 


He is absolutely correct: neither he nor offensive line coach Bill Callahan has been able to find a player that can step in and just be average. Nicholas Petit-Frere, Leroy Watson, Isaiah Prince, Jaelyn Duncan or John Ojukwu, none have been able to step in and hold down that spot due to performance issues or injury. 

This begs the question of whether the fundamental issue is the coaching, players, or system. While people on the outside can only speculate about the issues, it is clear that inside the organization, the players are to blame, and they will continue to cycle through body after body to find a solution. 

Maybe it is time for the staff to take a deep dive into their techniques or philosophies; it’s clear that something isn’t working. Unfortunately, the Titans sit in uncharted territory, with the son being the head coach and the father in charge of the worst unit on the team. If this were any other franchise, offensive line coach Bill Callahan would be on the hot seat, but instead here the players are solely on the chopping block. 

The Titans will take on the Houston Texans in Week 12, and maybe during their preparations, they can find a way to put an average right tackle on the field. 

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Titans-Vikings Week 11: Offense, defense and special teams snap counts

The Tennessee Titans lost their Week 11 game against the Minnesota Vikings. Here are the snap counts on offense, defense and special teams.

The Tennessee Titans lost their second straight game on Sunday afternoon at Nissan Stadium, falling to the Minnesota Vikings, 23-13.

The loss dropped the Titans to 2-8 on the season and that’s not even the worst frustration. Rather, that’s aimed at NFL officials who made one of their worst calls — perhaps even the worst call — of the entire regular season.

That will obviously be widely discussed this week but before we look ahead, we’ll quickly look back.

Now let’s take a closer look at the snap counts that contributed to the Titans’ Week 11 loss.

Offensive snaps: 59
Defensive snaps: 73
Special teams snaps: 26

The Titans saw a change at right tackle with Nicholas Petit-Frere being benched mid-series in favor of Isaiah Prince, who ended up taking 49 percent of the offensive snaps. It’s safe to assume that Petit-Frere’s starting days are over. He may have even played his last snap for the Titans period.

There was also a notable rotation on defense — something the Titans have largely avoided this season. While it was still a bit top-heavy, there weren’t six or seven players taking 100 percent of the snaps.

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Titans’ Brian Callahan states the obvious: Right tackle is an issue

The Tennessee Titans again struggled with protection on the right side of the offensive line and head coach Brian Callahan took notice.

One week after breaking a three-year streak by not allowing a sack against the Indianapolis Colts, the Tennessee Titans offensive line reverted back to their previous selves, and QB Mason Rudolph faced his share of pressure, 

Some of that blame can easily be attributed to Nicholas Petit-Frere, who again struggled after replacing starter Jaelyn Duncan, who was injured on the opening drive of the game. This has been a common topic with Petit-Frere, who lost his starting job in Week 6 to OT Leroy Watson. 

In the game, Petit-Frere gave up seven pressures and one sack to the Buffalo Bills after being pressed into duty. However, he wasn’t the only lineman that struggled. OT JC Latham went through his worst game since the season opener, giving up two sacks, one hit, and four pressures. 

While Latham and the left side of the offensive line are safe, the right side of the offensive line, specifically the right tackle position, is a work in progress. Head coach Brian Callahan also acknowledged the issue postgame. “We need to sort out the right tackle issue,” Callahan said after the game. 

One week after Watson started against the Colts, he was inactive in Week 7. This left Duncan and Petit-Frere to man the right side. Now with Duncan suffering a hamstring injury and already listed as ‘week-to-week’ things will shift again for Week 8. Callahan basically ruled out Duncan for this week and dispelled the idea of moving RG Dillon Radunz to the position. That leaves Watson, Petit-Frere, and John Ojukwu as in-house options to battle for the right tackle position heading into Week 8. 

Anyone who has watched the Titans through six games knows that the right tackle position has been a problem. Unfortunately, the answer to the problem does not appear on the roster. Tune in Sunday when the Titans face the Detroit Lions to see what changes, if any, are made. 

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Titans’ Callahan taking a ‘week-to-week’ approach with Petit-Frere

The Tennessee Titans offensive line played better in their last game, but head coach Brian Callahan is still taking it ‘week-by-week’.

The Tennessee Titans are back on the field preparing for their Week 6 battle with the Indianapolis Colts, but they still have concerns along the right side of their offensive line. 

Even after a solid performance against the Miami Dolphins in their Week 4 victory, head coach Brian Callahan alluded to the performance and stated that changes can still be made, and players will be evaluated on a week-to-week basis. 

Callahan is right to point out that Nicholas Petit-Frere performed better in that game, but he was not put in a situation that could exploit the deficiencies he had shown earlier in the season with such a run-heavy approach. 

Petit-Frere has struggled mightily with pass protection throughout 2024 and has shown to be a liability in the passing game. With Levis out and backup Mason Rudolph in the fold, the entire game plan was changed in that game.

With the Titans still having a glimmer of hope coming out of the bye, they need to figure out what type of identity they want to have on offense. If they want to develop into a smashmouth run-oriented team, then they may be able to get by as the unit is constructed. If they want to open things up, the right side, specifically Petit-Frere, must play better than he has in the first four weeks, and Callahan realizes that. 

Having almost two weeks to prepare for the Colts, this will be a big game for Petit-Frere and the rest of the offensive line. It will go a long way in determining what this week-to-week approach will look like moving forward. 

The Titans will hit the field Sunday at Nissan Stadium in an attempt to move up the AFC South standings in what is developing into an important early-season contest with the Colts. 

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Titans’ Nicholas Petit-Frere leads the NFL in a dubious category

Tennessee Titans RT Nicholas Petit-Frere leads the NFL in a category no offensive lineman wants to lead.

The Tennessee Titans’ rebuilt offensive line has come under a lot of justified scrutiny after a string of subpar performances to open the 2024 season.

The left side, anchored by first-rounders JC Latham and Peter Skoronski, has been consistent, with Latham looking like a potential stand-out to this point in his short career. Unfortunately, the right side has been sporadic at best.

Guard Dillon Radunz has been solid, but the play of right tackle Nicholas Petit-Frere has been way below the line. It’s been so bad that it led to his benching during the Week 3 defeat at the hands of the Green Bay Packers.

In fact, to this point in the season, Petit-Frere leads the NFL in a category that will doom the Titans’ struggling offense no matter who is at quarterback.

https://twitter.com/KaylaAndersonTV/status/1839647647918932472

Heading into their Week 4 match-up with the Miami Dolphins, Petit-Frere leads the NFL in pressures allowed among all offensive tackles with at least 50 pass-blocking attempts. He hasn’t been much better at run blocking either. With quarterback Will Levis struggling when pressured, the offensive line, specifically Petit-Frere, must step up.

Entering the weekend, head coach Brian Callahan said the right tackle was an open competition and changes could be made. Petit-Frere will be battling Jaelyn Duncan this week in practice to see who starts against the Miami Dolphins.

The truth is, no matter who starts, they must play better and take control of the gaping hole in the Titans’ offensive line. Until that happens, the offense will struggle, and the jury will remain out on Levis.

Everyone will find out what happens on Monday night when the Titans travel to Hard Rock Stadium to take on the Dolphins on Monday Night Football.

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Titans-Packers Week 3: Offense, defense and special teams snap counts

The Tennessee Titans lost their Week 3 game against the Green Bay Packers. Here are the snap counts on offense, defense and special teams.

The Tennessee Titans were dealt a major blow on Sunday afternoon, falling to 0-3 on the season following a 30-14 loss to the Green Bay Packers.

But that wasn’t the worst of it. The added insult came courtesy of the discarded Malik Willis, who led the Packers to a dominating revenge victory at Nissan Stadium in Nashville.

A new low?

Now let’s take a closer look at the snap counts that contributed to the Titans’ Week 3 defeat.

Offensive snaps: 54
Defensive snaps: 63
Special teams snaps: 27

Quarterback Will Levis once again took 100 percent of the snaps, which is to be expected. The concern is, should he? At some point, the Titans have to put a stop to the avoidable turnovers and sitting him down may be the wakeup call Levis needs.

Speaking of a benching, offensive lineman Nicholas Petit-Frere finally got his on Sunday.

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Titans RT Nicholas Petit-Frere discusses performance, benching

The Tennessee Titans fell 30-14 to the Green Bay Packers. After the game, tackle Nicholas Petit-Frere spoke about his performance.

The Tennessee Titans were embarrassed by the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, 30-14. Not only did their former quarterback, Malik Willis, put on a show, but their offense once again struggled. While Will Levis will take some heat after throwing another critical interception, the offensive line’s performance should be in the crosshairs of disapproval.

The Tennessee Titans’ offensive line has struggled since 2024. Not only have they been inconsistent in the run game, but quarterback Will Levis has been under pressure on a large portion of his throws, and Sunday, that pressure was even worse.

It didn’t matter what the combination was; the play fell short. It was so bad that starting right tackle Nicholas Petit-Frere was benched in the second half after a brutal performance that included allowing Kingsley Enagbare to record the fastest sack of the day for Week 3.

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After the game, Petit-Frere spoke about his performance and was at a loss about his play.

“This is probably the worst stretch of ball I’ve had, probably (like) in my career,” he said after the game.

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“I got to find out what I can do better. Whether that’s mental or physical,” he continued.

Heading into the season, the rebuilt line was a question mark, but there was optimism after the offseason additions. Not only did they add to the roster in both draft and free agency, but they also added one of the top offensive line coaches in the game.

After three weeks, it is clear that this unit is holding the offense back.  No matter the issue with Petit-Frere, it is apparent that he and the rest of the offensive line must play better. The Titans’ season depends on it.

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Brian Callahan to Nicholas Petit-Frere: ‘This is not what NFL tackles do’

Tennessee Titans offensive tackle Nicholas Petit-Frere received a harsh critique from line coach Bill Callahan.

It’s not a secret that the Tennessee Titans’ offensive line has struggled in 2024. Not only have they been inconsistent in the run game, but quarterback Will Levis has been under pressure on a large portion of his throws.

This was called out by head coach Brian Callahan in his weekly press conference, pointing out that the right side of the offensive line must be better.

While the unit as a whole is rather inexperienced, offensive line coach Bill Callahan does have some pedigree to work with. One player who has been under fire is right tackle Nicholas Petit-Frere, who reportedly got called out by his coach in meetings this week.

https://twitter.com/TDavenport_NFL/status/1836868698398666953

“I got critiqued,” Petit-Frere said, “This is not the standard, this is not the level we play at, this is not what NFL tackles do.”

This is not the first time this week that Petit-Frere has taken some heat. After being announced as a Fantasy Football Expert by Fantasy Life, fans’ reactions were all over the map. A move that came on a terrible performance against the Jets, where he gave up nine pressures on Levis.

While Petit-Frere is not the only culprit in the Titans’ offensive line woes, he has played a large part. If the Titans want to get into the win column this week, the line, especially Petit-Frere, must play better.

Everyone will find out Sunday if these harsh words from Callahan made an impact when the Titans take on the Green Bay Packers at Nissan Stadium.

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Titans’ most important remaining position battle might surprise you

Nicholas Petit-Frere appears to have a loose grip on the starting RT job.

On Sunday, the Tennessee Titans will wrap up their preseason schedule against the New Orleans Saints. The starters will get approximately three series before turning it over to the backups.

With roster cuts looming next week, Sunday’s game will provide one final opportunity for players to showcase themselves. Bubble players can solidify their roster spots, and backups can jump into a starting role.

The Titans’ offensive line has been a hot topic for most of the offseason, and Sunday’s narrative figures to be no different. As such, the battle for the starting right tackle job is the most important position battle remaining, as identified by Bleacher Report’s Maurice Moton,

Here was Moton’s analysis:

The Tennessee Titans bolstered their offensive line with the addition of center Lloyd Cushenberry III and rookie first-rounder JC Latham, but they still have a big question mark at right tackle.

Petit-Frere struggled through his 2022 rookie campaign. Last season, he only appeared in three outings because the league suspended him for violating the gambling policy and due to injury.

The Titans activated Petit-Frere off the physically unable to perform list in the first week of August. Perhaps he knocks off the rust to reclaim the starting right tackle spot, but his absence opens the door for Duncan to win the job.

In 2023, Duncan started in five out 10 games, but he mostly lined up on the left side. Barring a late offseason pickup or a trade, Petit-Frere may have one more year to show that he’s a long-term starter at tackle in Tennessee.

Head coach Brian Callahan hinted that Petit-Frere might have the inside track for the right tackle job. The former third-round pick has 19 games, including 18 starts of experience under his belt. However, the concerns are noted from his up-and-down rookie season to the suspension and injury-shortened sophomore year.

Petit-Frere will need to solidify his job in Sunday’s game, while Duncan, who, as Moton noted, saw over 90 percent of his playing time at left tackle last year, was praised by the coaching staff earlier this week for his ability to play at both tackle positions.

One thing is for certain: the Titans’ offensive line must give second-year quarterback Will Levis more time to throw this season. Whoever can do that will likely earn the lion’s share of the starts.

Titans offensive line starting to take shape

The Titans offensive line make-up for 2024 is starting to come into focus after the second preseason game.

The Tennessee Titans spent the majority of the 2024 offseason reworking their offensive line after a dismal performance in 2023. The Titans attacked free agency with the addition of center Lloyd Cushenberry and then followed that up by drafting Alabama tackle JC Latham with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2024 NFL draft. 

Midway through training camp, the new-look offensive line is starting to take shape. The projected left side of the offensive line appears to be set, featuring Latham and 2023 first-round pick Peter Skoronski flanking Cushenberry in the pivot. The right side has been more of a question mark. 

The team attempted to address right guard with the signing of veteran Saahdiq Charles in free agency. After opening camp as the starting right guard on the Titans’ first unofficial depth chart, the 25-year-old Charles abruptly retired and was subsequently placed on the reserve/retired list. Now, after two preseason games, the right side is starting to come into focus. During his press conference, head coach Brian Callahan offered this update: 

Nicholas Petit-Frere, who opened camp on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list,  looks to stabilize the right tackle position after suffering through a disappointing 2023 campaign. Next to him, the team has turned to Dillon Radunz, a former second-round pick with guard and tackle experience, to replace Charles. According to Callahan, Radunz and Petit-Frere have started to separate themselves from the competition and, at this point, look to be the starters heading into the preseason finale and potentially into the start of the season.