Titans rookie running back Bishop Sankey has a shot to move ahead of veteran Shonn Greene into the top spot on the depth chart this summer as Greene dealt with knee problems, but he is at risk of fumbling it away.
Sankey has fumbled in each of the first two preseason games and displayed problems holding onto the ball in practice as well. Coach Ken Whisenhunt said Sankey needs to show more attention to details like footwork and exchanges with the quarterback because they are the root cause of the fumbles. Sankey appears to have taken the coach’s words to heart.
“You definitely can’t put the ball on the ground. I want to do everything right assignment-wise, execution-wise. That’s really my main focus each and every game, to help the team win,” Sankey said, via 247Sports.com. “It seems like a small detail, but it’s something you’ve got to do right each and every time. It wasn’t an issue for me in college, and I don’t plan on it being an issue for me now.”
It’s hard to think of a running back who made a fumbling problem part of their plan for an upcoming season, but, as Sankey pointed out, holding onto the ball wasn’t an issue for him at Washington. That doesn’t mean the demands of the professional game won’t be and Sankey’s expected rise to a prominent offensive role will take some time if the little things continue to trip him up.