NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- When Tennessee Titans coach Mike Mularkey looked back on Monday night’s scrimmage he found quality pass protection that made him feel better as he left Nissan Stadium.
Keeping Marcus Mariota upright was a point of emphasis as Mularkey took over as the team’s coach. The scheme was altered and it was a big part of why the franchise signed center Ben Jones and drafted Jack Conklin eighth overall. And it’s something new backs DeMarco Murray and Derrick Henry are expected to assist in.
“I was happy with the protection,” Mularkey said. “We had really one free runner -- Wesley Woodyard made a play -- but for the most part, protection was pretty sound. The backs were very good, the backs stepped up. We had chances to throw the ball. It was really good to see that.”
To cap that solid protection, the offensive line on Tuesday once again won a best-of-three one-on-one pass rush competition. While Karl Klug beat Sebastian Tretola for the defense, Jones topped Ropati Pitoitua and Conklin clinched it, winning a standoff against Jurrell Casey.
Conklin is now 3-0 in the series, and the WWE-style belt that goes to the winning line has not moved form its initial home in the offensive line meeting room.
“There’s been a lot of trash talking leading up to that drill,” Mularkey said. “Jack is locked in. The defense is saying he’s scared. He’s not scared. He’s handled himself pretty well against some really good players.”
Said Conklin: “I’m the rookie, they are going to try to put a lot of pressure on me in situations. But it’s just how the dice are rolled. All the guys are doing well. I guess it’s just happened that it’s come down to me in the last one.”
Casey tried to turn a speed move into a bull rush, but Conklin held him off, knocking his hands down and getting him to the ground.
