The Tennessee Titans are off to a good start this season, but the team is still looking for its first win. One of the reasons for their struggles has been an inability to establish any sort of offensive rhythm.
The ryan tannehill age is a blog post by the Tennessee Titans. They talk about how Ryan Tannehill and coordinator Todd Downing are making progress toward synergy.
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NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – The connection between quarterback Ryan Tannehill and new offensive coordinator Todd Downing is the foundation of the Tennessee Titans’ success.
With Tannehill at the helm, Downing inherits a 2020 offense that averaged 30.7 points per game (fourth highest) and 396.4 yards per game (tied for second most).
With Arthur Smith, Downing’s predecessor, calling the plays, Tannehill’s career took a turn for the better. With Smith calling plays, Tannehill’s QBR increased by more than 24 points from 2018 to 2019, and his touchdown-to-interception ratio increased from 1.6 to 4.2. Tannehill’s yards per attempt also improved from 7.0 to 8.6 yards.
Tannehill praised Smith for being flexible with the plays on the call sheet week to week. Despite the fact that Downing hasn’t had to create any game-day call sheets for Tannehill yet, the two are off to a strong start.
Tannehill remarked, “[Downing] has a tremendous intellect.” “I believe we have similar perspectives on the game and get along well. He has a solid system for coming up with plays and drives, as well as what we want to achieve throughout the day.”
“This isn’t simply a new beginning,” Downing said. “We’re still getting to know one other on a personal level. We’ve been in each other’s company. That part of my work is one of my favorites. I’m going through the strategy with the quarterbacks to make sure we’re all on the same page and he sees things the same way I do. That is, in the end, the most essential factor. We have a chance if we view it the same way. That process has been fantastic, and I’m having a wonderful time with Ryan. We’re on the right track, in my opinion.”
Ryan Tannehill discusses some of his favorite aspects of working with the new #Titans OC thus far. Todd Downing is a writer. pic.twitter.com/bSOPkTTyqd
August 6, 2021 — TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport NFL)
Downing had been the tight ends coach, giving him a front-row seat while Smith and Tannehill put their game plans week after week. Downing and Smith have distinct personality characteristics, but Downing can use what he’s seen Smith and Tannehill do together to help push the offense forward.
“Arthur and I worked on a number of things together,” Downing remarked. “He was kind enough to involve me in many aspects of the process. I was able to see how his mind functioned and how he maintained patience, among other things.”
Matthew Stafford, E.J. Manuel, Kyle Orton, and Derek Carr are among the quarterbacks Downing has worked with. Downing spent one season as the offensive coordinator in Oakland before being fired when Jon Gruden took over as coach in 2018.
Carr had a particular connection with Downing, despite the Raiders’ offense averaging just 18.8 points per game that season.
In 2017, Carr stated of Downing, “We’ve had conversations where we complete one other’s sentences.” “‘Hey, if you see this, I’m going to this,’ and so on. ‘Exactly,’ he says.”
Downing understands that each quarterback has a unique personality, therefore he strives to be as consistent as possible in order to connect to them and have a “servant’s heart.” He wants to find out the best method to assist each of the men with whom he works to achieve success.
Downing claimed he learned how to build connections with his quarterbacks from observing Scott Linehan when they were teammates with the Minnesota Vikings and Detroit Lions. Daunte Culpepper’s ascent to become an All-Pro quarterback with the Vikings was aided by Linehan. He also aided Stafford in his development from a first-round selection to a 5,000-yard quarterback.
“Just seeing Matthew [Stafford] develop and how Scott [Linehan] handled it and accepted feedback from the quarterback was extremely helpful for me,” Downing said.
Downing’s second tenure with the Vikings allowed him to work with former offensive coordinators John DeFilippo and Kevin Stefanski while defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer concentrated on the defense.
OC #Titans Todd Downing is working with Ryan Tannehill to create a synergy. As a play caller, it’s something he takes very seriously. pic.twitter.com/vLQWfdbMkj
July 31, 2021 — TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport NFL)
The Vikings failed to run the ball effectively under DeFilippo, who was replaced by Stefanski, who was hired by the Cleveland Browns after rushing success. Downing knows how important a strong rushing attack is, particularly for a defensive-minded coach.
Last season, the Titans averaged 168.1 running yards per game, with Derrick Henry leading the way with 2,025 yards to win back-to-back rushing titles. Downing has said that he would not stray from the Titans’ prior emphasis on running the ball.
“Having Derrick Henry back there makes it a lot simpler,” Downing added. “It’s no secret that it plays a significant role in this attack.”
If defenders concentrate on stopping Henry, the passing game will open up, particularly with play-action, where Tannehill has made huge plays in the past. When Tannehill used play-action last season, his yards per attempt increased from 7.1 to 9.6.
The Titans needed offensive consistency, which they’ll achieve by promoting from within. Downing, on the other hand, will be able to bring his own twists to the attack.
Coach Mike Vrabel stated, “I’ve liked the way he thinks about our offense, our ideas, and generating matchups we like.” “In the quarterback room, he has spent a lot of time with quarterbacks. He’s worked as a coordinator previously and has some fresh ideas that we haven’t tried before, so we’re attempting to include them. I like a few of them, so it’s exciting, and it’ll be great as we go ahead.”
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