Tennessee Titans Offensive Line Steps Up at Friday's Training Camp Practice
NASHVILLE — The Tennessee Titans' defensive front is expected to be one of the best in the NFL, so it is no shock that the brand-new offensive line struggled early, but on Friday, the Titans' blockers finally had some success against their counterparts.
Titans' left tackle Andre Dillard has been one of the most-talked about players so far in camp and not necessarily for the best reasons. Dillard has taken his fair share of losses against players like Arden Key, Denico Autry and Harold Landry, but Dillard got some revenge on Friday.
Dillard won on two separate occasions in two different ways against two different players. First, Dillard was able to match and cover a speed rush from Key, then Dillard followed it up by winning on a rep against Autry where Autry tried to bull rush with power.
A very positive sign for Dillard who, again, had struggled early.
It wasn't just Dillard getting some wins though, we also saw rookie offensive lineman Peter Skoronski have some success. Skoronski had a nice rep against Autry. Skoronski was able to get some good push on Autry on the play. Autry is one of the strongest veterans on the team making it a nice win for the rook.
Skoronski talked about going up against guys like Autry, Teair Tart and Jeffery Simmons.
"I mean it is tremendously challenging," Skoronski admitted. "Those guys are some of the best in the league in terms of a whole defensive front. They kind of show you a little bit of everything of what you might see. I'm really fortunate to have guys to challenge me everyday and force me to get better."
Skoronski sees how talented interior rushers are boosting the value for interior offensive linemen.
"It's extremely important. Guys like Jeff(Simmons) are some of the best in the league at pressuring the quarterback and stopping the pass game," Skoronski explained. "That makes your job important because if they are paying the guy across from you, you better be pretty good at it too."
Along with the Dillard and Skoronski, center Aaron Brewer also had some good moments including one rep where he got a win in a circumstance where Brewer has typically struggled. Brewer is a smaller player for his position, at least by NFL standards, which means he can struggle with power rush moves like a bull rush.
Brewer was able to hold off not only one of the strongest players on the Titans, but a guy with a mean bull rush in Tart. Tart tried to bull Brewer, but Brewer was able to sink his hips, establish a firm base and hold Tart off from the proverbial passer.
These are just practice drills, so it is fair to take the success with a grain of salt, but based on what we were hearing about the offensive line to this point in camp, any positivity is welcomed for the offensive line.
Titans Training Camp Stories
- Kristian Fulton Impressing: The Tennessee Titans' cornerback is going into his fourth season and despite injury issues in the past, Fulton looks to be in the best shape of his career and is making plays at training camp. CLICK HERE
- Jamarco Jones Cut: The Tennessee Titans have released offensive tackle Jamarco Jones after multiple incidents in practice this week that led to Jones being ejected. CLICK HERE
- Levis Catches Fire: The Tennessee Titans' rookie pass Will Levis comes out on fire at training camp and throws five touchdown passes including three straight scoring throws in 7-on-7 drill. CLICK HERE
