There’s a Chance Warmack played his last game as a Titan.
There’s a Chance Warmack played his last game as a Titan.
Chance Warmack cannot catch a break. Expectations for the Alabama product have always been lofty, considering his draft billing. The right guard was brought in to be a force on the offensive line and to give some much-needed protection to quarterback Jake Locker (remember him?). Since his arrival in the league, his play has resembled a rollercoaster ride. Granted, he had never been part of a truly talented group. And while Warmack has had consistency issues since he was drafted, his durability was never a question. He had only missed two contests prior to this year, so his being healthy was always a given. However, it was announced earlier this week that Warmack would be placed on Injured Reserve for a hand injury suffered before the Lions game on Sunday.
AROUND COVER32
NFL: Four bold predictions for Week 3
Injuries Big names will sit out this week
QB Rankings: Cam Newton #1 after two weeks
Mailbag: Rookie QBs, fines and 0-2 playoff teams
The offensive line experienced a makeover this offseason, and the group was lauded as much improved over the ramshackle lines of Tennessee’s past. Now that the injury bug has bitten, the Titans find themselves in a familiar situation: scrambling to makeshift a starting unit for the upcoming games. Luckily, the interior line has much more depth than the tackle positions. And now that I’m typing this, I’m sure Lewan or Conklin will be the next to go. Sorry, folks. Brian Schwenke or recently acquired Josh Kline figures to have the fast track to starting against the Raiders. Schwenke is probably the best option right now because of his familiarity with the team. Honestly, I think the long-term solution lies in sixth rounder Sebastian Tretola.
Tretola was a mauler at University of Arkansas, where he contributed to an offensive line ranking sixth in rushing yardage last year. Behind him, running back Alex Collins was able to rush for three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons. He earned first-team All-SEC honors as a senior. Ya know, that conference with Alabama and all the stacked defenses. If Mularkey truly wants to pound the football, Tretola is the guy for him. He was a healthy inactive the first two games this year, so it may take a while for him to get up to speed, but once he does, he should provide a boost to the line. This offseason, Mularkey and Robinson spent a lot of time talking about toughness, particularly wanting to be a tough team. This rookie guard is as tough as they come, and I suspect he’ll earn his playing time.
Unfortunately, this injury spells the end of Chance Warmack’s career with the Titans. His fifth-year option was declined during the offseason, and this year was meant to be a final audition of sorts. Regardless of any of his replacements do, an interior offensive lineman should be a priority for the team next year. The free agents for 2017 are pretty disappointing. Remember, the 2013 draft was an abhorrent one. Luke Joeckel and Jonathan Cooper are largely considered busts from that class, and they might be the top two available free agents at the position.
Offensive line continues to be a question mark, a perennial enigma, for the Titans. But now that this team has an established identity through Mariota and the run game, Mularkey and Robinson need to find an immediate answer to Warmack’s absence. We saw last year how mounting injuries can shut down any offensive momentum. Following a surprising victory against the Lions, Tennessee remains in the hunt for a division title, a winnable division title, mind you. Robinson worked to vastly improve the offensive line, and we have to hope that his efforts were not in vain. Hopefully, Schwenke, Kline, or Tretola will fill in seamlessly, and Tennessee can keep its new offense moving.
The post There’s a Chance Warmack played his last game as a Titan. appeared first on Cover32.
