It's Up To Kelly To Scheme Unproven Titans Receivers Into Winning Situations

NASHVILLE - It's no secret that the experts, media, and fans of the Tennessee Titans have little to no confidence regarding the receiving corps of this football team. It's become a forgone conclusion that this unit will be the team's downfall this season.

Enter new offensive coordinator Tim Kelly, who has been tasked with turning this group of unproven pass catchers into a functioning group of NFL-caliber receivers.

On Tuesday, when Kelly spoke with the Nashville media, he was asked about this group and their lack of production at the professional level.

"Again, some of it comes in our ability to execute and play to their speed, whether that's a 4.4, or a 4.6, whatever. Our job as coaches is to make sure that those guys are playing as fast as they can," said Kelly. "And making sure they're playing as efficiently as possible, and we're in the process of doing that, but I think we're off to a good start.

His answer was as expected, given the fact that he did not select this group, he doesn't pay them, but he must coach them and figure out ways for his scheme to work to the strengths of his players to hopefully make them as successful as possible in their respective roles in his offense.

There's no disputing that Treylon Burks is the best of this group, and Kelly took a particular interest in him as a rookie last season. Now it's up to the second-year man to jump to the next level. Kelly talked about that as well.

"Yeah, ultimately, we want to see Treylon out there playing fast. Again, I know the theme has been the tempo, but being able to go out there and play fast, eliminate the thinking, and let him go and do what he does best. Be big, be strong, be physical. Play strong with the football in his hands."

"Everything he's displayed so far throughout the coaching sessions yesterday, he's done a good job of doing that," Kelly said.

The return of Kyle Phillips should also add another weapon for Kelly to plan around. At the same time, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine is a hit, or miss-type player, capable of producing big games while being regularly shut out of the stat sheet.

Adding veteran Chris Moore gives Kelly another player to build around this season.

"Chris Moore's doing a great job," Kelly said. "Obviously, I have some experience with him from our time back in Houston. He's a pro. He comes in every day, he prepares, he works, he runs, and he's been a good addition to the room.

Racey McMath has enticing physical traits but has done nothing to earn any level of confidence that he can contribute this season.

"I think he (McMath) stands with everybody in that room," said Kelly. "He's been here every day, and he's been running. They've all been running and doing a great job trying to build chemistry with Ryan (Tannehill) and Malik (Willis) and over the past week or so with Will (Levis)."

"So, he's been out here every single day, and he looks great running," added Kelly.

Finally, rookie Colton Dowell has been better than expected, at least early on in his first practices, but there is still much to learn before he can be counted on to improve this unit.

The oddsmakers aren't high on the Titans this year. The gambling website Fanduel updated its odds after the draft, and the Titans have the 28th-longest odds — out of 32 NFL teams — to win the Super Bowl at 75-to-1. Tampa Bay has the same odds, and only three teams — Indianapolis (85-to-1), Houston (110-to-1) and Arizona (180-to-1) are bigger longshots.

They are 55-to-1 longshots just to win the AFC and 5.5-to-1 to win the AFC South, with Jacksonville the favorite. The Colts are Texans are behind, and everyone thinks this division, as a whole, is the worst in football.

This might not be the group he would have chosen for Kelly, given different options, but it's the one he has. His ability, along with that of his offensive staff, to find ways to help this group succeed will ultimately impact how this offense will succeed or fail this season.

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