The talk about the Titans offense this offseason has been about getting tougher and stronger so that they can implement what head coach Mike Mularkey refers to as an “exotic smashmouth” offense.
That’s meant significant additions at running back and along the offensive line, but Mularkey also wants to see better output from the team’s receivers. No wideout had more than 36 catches last season and the team needs more support for quarterback Marcus Mariota when he puts the ball in the air.
Offensive coordinator Terry Robiskie has coached wide receivers in the NFL for a long time and Mularkey also has wide receivers coach Bob Bratkowski and assistant wide receivers coach Jason Tucker on the staff to work on a better effort.
“They all know they’re going to be coached harder than any position there is,” Mularkey said, via the Tennessean. “First of all, because it needs to improve. There’s no question about that. If there’s a position on this team that could be better, it’s that one. We’re going to be in their ear. We’re not going to accept anything that’s not the best from them. If they don’t show that, we’re going to find someone that understands that.”
The Titans signed Rishard Matthews as a free agent and drafted Tajae Sharpe in the fifth round to go with Kendall Wright, Harry Douglas, Justin Hunter and Dorial Green-Beckham from last year’s roster. Wright, Hunter and Green-Beckham were all drafted in the first two rounds since 2012, but Mularkey’s clear that the team needs more return on those investments.