In order to make Marcus Mariota successful in his rookie season, the Tennessee Titans loaded up on offensive talent to give the quarterback people to work with. With Mariota earning rave reviews for his performance so far in training camp, the weapons around him are also looking improved as several players fight for a roster spot. Could certain veterans end up being upset as rookie Dorial Green-Beckham gets his chance with the first-team offense?
College did not go as planned for Green-Beckham, but the wide receiver is back with a second chance at football and he is making the most of it with the Titans. According to the Tennessean, Green-Beckham has moved into a starting role after impressing the coaching staff in camp. The receiver sat out for a portion of offseason workouts following a hamstring injury, but now that he is healthy he is stepping up big time.
"I think it is a reward,'' Wide receivers coach Shawn Jefferson said, via the Tennessean. "DGB has shown the ability to pick up on the playbook very well. For a big guy he can run, and he sink his hips, and get out at the top of his routes. . . . Putting him in with the first group kind of elevates that sense of urgency for him. He has done well. There have been so growing pains, but that kid is going to be all right."
Green-Beckham could turn out to be a true start for the Titans just like he was expected to be in college. However, if he is going to earn a permanent spot on the field, he is going to have to battle others for the position. Hakeem Nicks is hoping to beat out the rookie and prove plenty of people wrong after two lackluster stints with the New York Giants and Indianapolis Colts. According to the veteran, the Titans offense is the perfect system for him and he is confident he will excel with the new team.
"I feel like I definitely have a chip on my shoulder," Nicks said, via ESPN.com. "But more than wanting to prove anything to the world, I just want to prove it to this team and my coaches, for giving me the opportunity to come here and prove myself. Coach (Ken Whisenhunt's) offense really fits my style - more one-on-ones, trips backside, vertical throws, a shallow cross game. That's more my style. If you look at my past history, that's where I excelled at."
Justin Hunter, Kendall Wright and Hakeem Nicks are all battling for position in the offense this season. It can be assumed that one player could get cut so the race is on to standout quickly as the Titans prepare to play the Atlanta Falcons in their first preseason game of the year.
