-
Turron Davenport
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — In his first yr with the Tennessee Titans, operating again Tony Pollard reached profession highs — 1,079 dashing yards and 260 carries.
Usually, that is thought of a win for a franchise, particularly when that participant joined the workforce on a reasonably priced free agent contract (three years, $24 million). However Pollard carried the ball greater than twice as a lot as Tyjae Spears (84), who was presupposed to be a part of a twin assault after the Titans misplaced All-Professional Derrick Henry to the Baltimore Ravens through free company.
Titans coach Brian Callahan is hoping for a extra balanced strategy in Yr 2.
“In an ideal world, it is a more healthy division of labor [between Pollard and Spears],” Callahan mentioned. “I like actually each of these gamers lots. I believe we are able to do a greater job of managing that load so that they each play just a little extra evenly and permits us to perhaps have a spot for a 3rd again between [Julius Chestnut] and [Kalel Mullings], a heavier fashion again and runner.”
Managing the workload for every again is important in preserving them wholesome and performing at peak efficiency. The distribution of carries final season grew to become imbalanced due to accidents.
As a rookie, Spears appeared in all 17 video games in 2023 whereas enjoying alongside Henry. Spears rushed for 453 yards and two touchdowns, and he caught 52 passes for 385 yards and a landing.
Spears missed 5 video games final season due to two concussions, an ankle sprain and a hamstring harm. He was anticipated to contribute within the passing and operating video games, however he was restricted to 114 touches.
“I’ve completed a whole lot of reflecting within the final yr and realized that I can combat adversity very well,” Spears mentioned. “My confidence is constructing. I am simply taking it sooner or later at a time and being one of the best I will be proper now.”
Final season’s finale gave a glimpse of what Spears will be in Callahan’s offense. Spears carried the ball 20 instances for a career-high 95 yards in opposition to the Jacksonville Jaguars. When wholesome, Spears, who scored 4 touchdowns within the ultimate three video games final yr, presents an electrical backfield possibility.
Callahan acknowledged that final yr was a problem for Spears professionally and personally. However Callahan praised Spears for his offseason work.
“I have been actually happy with the place Tyjae is at,” Callahan mentioned. “His private development has been excellent. I am actually excited to see what he can carry to us this yr as a result of he is been in an incredible place and has had a very nice offseason.”
Spears wasn’t the one one who was injured. Pollard handled an ankle sprain towards the tip of the yr, however he missed just one recreation. Pollard, 28, mentioned he took a extra aggressive strategy to coaching this offseason. He mentioned he took a while off initially within the offseason to permit his ankle to heal, however he’s good to go.
“I really feel nice,” Pollard mentioned. “Simply figuring out that being older, being just a little little bit of a veteran on this league, you bought to maintain your physique in form so when it is time to get again on, you are prepared.”
Pollard is not any stranger to enjoying in a joint backfield. He has shared carries courting to his faculty days at Memphis with present free agent Darrell Henderson Jr. The shared touches continued within the NFL with the Dallas Cowboys, who deployed Pollard as a change-of-pace again to Professional Bowler Ezekiel Elliott within the first three years of Pollard’s profession. He led the workforce with 1,007 dashing yards in 2022, their ultimate season collectively.
Satirically, Pollard’s two highest yards-per-carry seasons got here whereas sharing touches with Elliott. Pollard had 193 carries in 2022 however averaged 5.2 yards per try, and he had a career-high 5.5 yards per keep on 130 makes an attempt in 2021.
If Callahan can cut back Pollard’s carries to round 200, that might imply an extra 60 carries for Spears.
There’s the steadiness.
And as Callahan mentioned, a number of the distribution will embrace a 3rd again — both Chestnut or seventh-round decide Mullings.
OTAs and minicamp supplied a glimpse of what it might seem like. Callahan had Pollard and Spears alternating collection. Chestnut was sprinkled in as properly, whereas Mullings spent more often than not recovering from core surgical procedure earlier than getting some snaps in minicamp.
There’s solely a lot that may be gathered within the run recreation with out pads. However the operating backs appeared fast and confirmed some burst as they obtained to the second degree of the protection. Spears and Pollard made positive they ran to the tip zone virtually each time they touched the ball.
With coaching camp lower than a month away, the dashing assault is one thing to think about when projecting the Titans’ offense. And it might take some stress off the quarterback, particularly if it is No. 1 decide Cameron Ward seeing his first NFL motion.
