Titans coach may have hinted at who gets final RB spot
Over the past couple of weeks, the Tennessee Titans have done some interesting things among their running back group.
The most notable has come when we've seen the depth chart updates, with the Titans listing Tyjae Spears and Tony Pollard as co-starters. Clearly, the team is going to use both running backs on a regular basis -- as they should.
But, behind Spears and Pollard, the water becomes a bit muddy. Who will win the final running back spot? That is, of course, assuming Tennessee keeps three backs when the final roster is announced. Is it going to be third-year pro Hassan Haskins, the former fourth-round pick out of Michigan? Or, the former undrafted gem Julius Chestnut, who made the roster a year ago?
If special teams coordinator Colt Anderson has anything to say about it, fans might have an inkling as to which direction the team could be leaning. Tuesday, at training camp, Anderson had high praise for one of his backs.
"Hassan is a really good football. He's a running back but he plays with a linebacker mentality," Anderson said.
"The way he's able to hold up on punt return or block on kickoff return, it's a skill set that's hard to find. His ability in coverage, as a running back, is pretty impressive."
Could the Titans keep four running backs on their 53-man roster?
If Haskins makes the team as the Titans' third running back, that of course means Tennessee will cut ties with Chestnut, who made last year's initial roster. With Chestnut showing some good things during camp and the preseason, would it make sense for the team to keep him around?
Last year, the Titans kept three running backs. However, this is a new coaching staff, so it's anyone's guess as to what they want to do, here.
It should be noted that last year's Cincinnati Bengals kept four running backs, which is of course where head coach Brian Callahan came from before he took this job. If the Titans truly love what both Haskins and Chestnut bring to the table, each in their own way, it's not out of the question to see them keeping both when it's all said and done.
One factor that might come into play is the recent change in game-day quarterbacks. The rule change now allows teams to elevate a quarterback from the practice squad, on game day, without taking up a roster spot. In a way, it allows the Titans an extra player at another position, if they'd like.
Think of it this way: if Tennessee was between keeping Chestnut and Willis for the very last roster spot, they'd be able to essentially keep both, in a roundabout way.
So, if Tennessee loves the four running backs they've got atop the depth chart, but they also still want to keep Malik Willis around, they could afford to cut Willis and bring him back on the practice squad. That way, Willis is able to bump up on game day if need be.
