Throughout the offseason, the Tennessee Titans’ offensive line has been widely scrutinized by people outside the building.
Several national media outlets ranging from Pro Football Focus, The 33rd Team, Sharp Analysis, and Pro Football Network have all ranked the Titans dead last in their offensive line rankings heading into the 2023 season.
However, those inside the building are certainly singing a different tune as we head into the preseason finale. According to several players and coaches, the offensive line has consistently made glaring improvements over the last few weeks.
The starting five has had its hands full at practice on a daily basis thanks to facing what should be one of the best defensive fronts in all of football. The fact that the O-line has started holding its own is a fantastic sign for its overall development.
After practice on Wednesday, Titans left tackle Andre Dillard discussed the type of growth and improvement in chemistry he’s seen from the starting unit.
“I think it’s come a long way,” said Dillard, per Mickey Ryan of 104.5 The Zone. “[Ever] since we all first got together in the spring and everybody is just really close now and we’ve really built something good and I’m really excited for it.”
While Dillard doesn’t seem like the type of personality to boast about his own development, head coach Mike Vrabel did that for him.
“Everybody goes through a different transition,” Vrabel said, per Anderson. “Everybody’s got a different personality, and I think there’s a lot more comfort level and it’s been good to see [Dillard] and Peter [Skoronski] build a relationship in the meeting rooms and on the field.”
All-Pro defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons had some high praise for how the group has improved since training camp began.
Simmons especially gave a rave review when talking about the growth he’s seen in Peter Skoronski, stating that he can see why he was taken in the first round and how he thinks he will be a valuable asset to the offensive line.
Simmons says he can tell how much better Skoronski has become since arriving with the Titans.
— Cory Curtis (@CoryCurtis2) August 23, 2023
Only time will tell whether or not this hype is warranted, but things are at least trending in the right direction for a group that was deemed a failure before it even stepped foot on the field together.
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