During and after the 2019 season, Tennessee Titans offensive line coach Keith Carter was public enemy No. 1 thanks to a campaign in which the team’s group upfront was a sieve en route to allowing 56 sacks, the third-most in the NFL.
However, things changed drastically in 2020, as the Titans’ offensive line was much improved. Tennessee allowed less than half the sacks (25) from the previous year and sported a 2,000-yard rusher in running back Derrick Henry, all the while missing their star left tackle.
Another feather in the cap of Carter is the development of 2019 third-round pick and right guard, Nate Davis.
Davis made huge strides in 2020 after seeing a strong finish to the 2019 campaign. Not only did he bring up his overall Pro Football Focus grade from a 40.9 to 69.7, he also garnered one First-Team All-Pro vote.
During a Zoom presser with the media on Monday, Carter praised Davis, noting how the Charlotte product has made improvements in not only his play on the field, but his preparation off it.
#Titans Keith Carter on Nate Davis: He's taken really big strides. Every yr in the NFL he's become a better pro. I'm talking preparation, off-season routine. He's figuring this thing out. Next step comes down to consistency. The best pros are able to be good on a consistent basis
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) June 14, 2021
Davis has plenty of great influences around him in Tennessee, with one being left guard Rodger Saffold. The veteran posted a picture of he and Davis working out together earlier this offseason.
In 2021, Carter will be tasked with bringing along another young lineman in second-round pick and tackle, Dillon Radunz, who is set to compete for the starting right tackle job that was left vacant after the Titans unexpectedly released Dennis Kelly.
Carter revealed that Radunz has been given looks both inside and out thus far and was particularly complimentary about how hard the North Dakota State product works.
#Titans OL coach Keith Carter on Dillon Radunz: He is doing a great job. Already he's played inside and outside. He'll go all day. He has the cool ability to power through to the next play and keep grinding.
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) June 14, 2021
Radunz has a great shot to win the job if he can keep this up, but his starting spot is not guaranteed at all with veterans Ty Sambrailo and Kendall Lamm both vying for the same spot.
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