The 0-3 Tennessee Titans don’t have many bright spots following Week 3 and heading into Week 4. If there’s one encouraging thought, it’s that both first-round rookies played their best games versus the New York Giants. Wide receiver Carnell Tate and defensive end Keldric Faulk made standout impacts.
Tate registered a team-high six receptions for 58 receiving yards. Those were career-high marks for the fourth overall selection. Tate was peppered with nine targets, and is trending towards having his
first double-digit target game soon.
Cam Ward missed Tate in the end zone on a wide-open route on 3rd-and-goal. There were some other missed opportunities from Ward on tape, including on the game-losing interception. The former Ohio State standout was consistently creating separation and winning as a route runner.
Faulk also registered his first career sack. The 31st overall selection ran a stunt with Jacob Martin. He looped outside and utilized his length to get the better of Giants Pro Bowl tackle Andrew Thomas. It was a nice glimpse into Faulk’s skill set, one the Titans thought was worth trading up for.
Concerns had already been raised about both of Mike Borgonzi’s first-round selections. Tate has obviously been held back by one of the lowest-scoring offenses in the NFL. Sunday’s tape was a breakout game for Tate, even if the stats don’t yell breakout production.
It was awesome to witness Faulk record his first career sack. The Titans need more pass-rushing production from defensive lineman other than Jeffery Simmons. If Faulk can continue showing progress, he should start playing more snaps, replacing Martin and Jermaine Johnson.
Tate and Faulk are trending in the appropriate direction (even if the Titans are not). Let’s hope for follow-up strong performances from the first-round rookies versus the Ravens in Week 4.
