Young Titans TE Smith learning the ropes

Nov 23, 2017 - 6:01 AM NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Tennessee Titans' running game has had lots of reasons it has not been as effective this season as it was a year ago.

The Titans still rank 11th in the NFL in rushing, but last season they were third overall and running back DeMarco Murray led the AFC with 1,287 yards for the season.

Part of the Titans' downturn has been a mystery, because Tennessee returns the same running backs in Murray and Derrick Henry and the same five offensive linemen from a year ago.

The one place they have made a change is at the blocking tight end position. Anthony Fasano was rated as one of the best blocking tight ends in the league a year ago, but he spurned the Titans in free agency to return to the Miami Dolphins.

That left the Titans turning over the blocking tight end role primarily to rookie Jonnu Smith, a third-round pick from Florida International. Smith did have the advantage of playing in a pro-style offense at Florida International, but that was still a far cry from playing tight end in the NFL.

"It's a lot of carryover, but also there are a lot of things that are different," Smith said. "Of course, this is an NFL system, so when I first got here, I knew there was going to be a lot of adjustments with the terminology and things. But some things were kind of similar and I was able to take advantage of it."

Titans head coach Mike Mularkey admits that Smith is a work in progress and is still growing into the role. He has a ways to go before becoming as savvy as Fasano, a 10-year veteran last season.

"It's definitely been a factor. I wouldn't say that Anthony was a dominant guy, but Anthony kind of knew the tricks of the trade," Mularkey said. "He could get by with just being smart and crafty. He's been in the league for a long time and knowing how without knocking a guy off the ball but how to get position on a guy. That's something Jonnu -- he's a rookie -- is kind of learning the ropes. Eventually, if he has the years that Anthony Fasano has had that'll help because he'll have seen all the things he possibly could see."

Mularkey said it is a role he expects Smith to grow into over time, even if he isn't a true old-school blocking tight end.

"You can put them in three categories -- pass receiving tight ends, a blocker and guys that can do both, but maybe not one as good as the other," Mularkey said. "Jonnu, I think, can develop into that. (Phillip) Supernaw is kind of a tweener. Jonnu has done the best job he can being the guy that we're putting in that position for a rookie. He's having to block some defensive ends. I think he's gonna get better at it. But there are very few Craig Stevens and Mark Brueners in the league."

It is a role Smith accepts willingly.

"It's not easy, but it's going to help this team. I'm just doing my job and trying to be the best at it and just looking to improve every day," Smith said. "I actually enjoy doing it. Whatever is going to put this team in position to win, I'll take that role."

SERIES HISTORY: 46th regular-season meeting. Colts lead series, 31-14. The Titans finally ended an 11-game losing streak to the Colts by winning 30-22 on Monday Night Football on Oct. 16 of this year. Now, they go to Lucas Oil Stadium where the Titans are 0-9 all-time.

--The Titans activated wide receiver Harry Douglas into the window of evaluation from injured reserve on Monday. Douglas, in his 10th NFL season, was placed on IR one day after the initial 53-man roster was established due to a knee issue that had plagued him late in preseason.

"I felt like a kid in a candy store. I really didn't sleep that much last night, knowing that today was going to be my first practice back," Douglas said Monday.

Titans head coach Mike Mularkey said Douglas has fresh legs and brings some energy to the practice field.

"He talks a lot," Mularkey said. "He brings a lot of energy and our defense loves competing against him; he's fun to be around. He looks like he's got some fresh legs, there's no question about it. But, he had a good day today as well."

The Titans have three weeks to make a decision on whether to add Douglas to the active roster or keep him on injured reserve and shut him down for the season.

--Marcus Mariota had never had a game like the one he had in Pittsburgh last Thursday when he tossed four interceptions against the Steelers.

He said he is eager to bounce back and show that the performance was not the norm.

"Yeah, I would say I'm anxious. I think the competitor in me wants to prove that it was a fluke and that I'm better than that," Mariota said. "Obviously, you can learn from it, make smarter decisions with the football. Yes, I'm ready to get back out there."

When asked how he most benefits from correcting his mistakes with the interceptions, Mariota said some of the issues were in his mechanics and some were misreads.

"It was a combination of a few things. Just really when it comes down to it, if I can be smarter with the football, I think every quarterback when they're sitting back there thinks they can make every throw and sometimes it's better to either take off and maybe get a few yards or even get a sack. Those are things that I learned and I'll continue to get better at them," Mariota said.

NOTES: QB Marcus Mariota has just eight touchdown passes this season after throwing 26 a year ago. He also has 10 interceptions this season after tossing just nine all last year. ... TE Delanie Walker leads the Titans with 49 receptions and now has at least 500 yards receiving in each of his five seasons with the club. ... OLB Derrick Morgan leads the Titans with six sacks, and has had at least six sacks now in five different seasons. ... S Kevin Byard still leads the NFL with six interceptions. No Titans player has had seven interceptions in a season since Michael Griffin in 2008. ... K Ryan Succop is three field goals shy of 200 for his career. Succop set an NFL record earlier this season making 56 straight over the course of four seasons from inside 50 yards. ... -WR Harry Douglas was activated into his 21-day window to be evaluated to see whether the Titans want to activate him to the 53-man roster from injured reserve.