The offensive line of the Tennessee Titans has been under scrutiny all offseason long after the team fully revamped the group with relative unknowns following a disastrous 2022 campaign.
Multiple 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.
Buy Titans TicketsHowever, those inside the building are certainly singing a different tune as we head into the season opener against the Saints. According to several players and coaches, the offensive line has steadily made noticeable improvements over the last few months.
“I think it’s come a long way,” left tackle Andre Dillard said of the group’s chemistry last month, 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.”
#Titans' Brewer: I feel like we've been making big gains (as an O-line) since OTAs, understanding where we want each other to be in combos or how we prefer to do blocks.
— John Glennon (@glennonsports) September 4, 2023
Center Aaron Brewer certainly doesn’t lack confidence in the offensive line as it gets ready for Sunday.
During his press conference on Monday, the Texas State product stated that he’s “100 percent confident” that the O-line will be ready come game day.
Aaron Brewer 100% confident about the OL on Sunday vs. #Saints. #Titans pic.twitter.com/fOcmCBrZ8r
— Paul Kuharsky (@PaulKuharskyNFL) September 4, 2023
“This is the real game week right here,” said Brewer, per Paul Kuharsky. “So how we prepare this week and get ready for Sunday is what we’re going to put out there on Sunday.”
The Titans’ starting center also made it clear that he’s not paying attention to the outside noise that has largely declared this group a failure before it even steps foot on the field for a real game.
“I don’t feel like the spotlight is on us much,” he said, per Kuharsky. “I’m not really thinking about what other people think, I’m just trying to be the best offensive line in the league, and that’s the only thing I’m focused on.”
While I don’t think this unit will be anywhere close to being the best offensive line in the NFL, it’s nice to see lofty goals being set.
Brewer went on to say that because most of the offensive line is made up of guys who have been backups previously, the group as a whole has a chip on its shoulder.
Aaron Brewer said that with so many guys coming from backup situations, the group has a chip on its shoulder to prove itself.
— Terry McCormick (@terrymc13) September 4, 2023
Andre Dillard (LT), Daniel Brunskill (RG), and Chris Hubbard (RT) were all limited to rotational roles, at best, for the last few years, while Brewer is playing center for the first time after a shaky tenure at guard.
Peter Skoronski (LG) is the only lineman on the team who seemingly gets the benefit of the doubt nationally, but he’s a rookie who hasn’t played a single snap in the NFL.
Only time will tell how Tennessee’s new offensive line will ultimately gel, but it’s clear this unit has put in the work and now it’s time to either prove everybody wrong or right.
