The Tennessee Titans had a successful 2019 preseason debut against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on Thursday night.
The contest was close until the Titans surged more than just comfortably ahead in the second half, recording a 27-10 victory.
Obviously, some players had better performances than others as we got our first good look at what the Titans backups have to offer.
Here are some studs and duds from Thursday’s contest.
Stud: WR Adam Humphries
Humphries had a solid debut for his new team, beginning with a solid punt return that allowed the Titans to start at the 49-yard line of Eagles territory. All four of Mariota’s completions before he was removed from the game were caught by Humphries.
Based on his performance Thursday, it’s safe to assume Humphries will have no problem sliding into a larger role. Expect this chemistry to continue into the regular season.
Dud: WR Taywan Taylor
A wide-open Taylor couldn’t reel in a pass from Ryan Tannehill in the first half he should have had. Late in the second quarter, Taylor could have owned the Titans’ second touchdown of the day on a beautiful throw from Tannehill — but he dropped it.
Taylor had yet another chance at the bottom of the first half to make an impact, but failed to get both feet in bounds.
Not a good look for the wideout as he fights for a place on the final roster among so much depth at receiver.
Stud: Jeremy McNichols
The running back is a darkhorse candidate to edge his way into the final 53-man roster at running back, but he made a good case for himself Thursday night.
He stayed involved in the offense, with one of his best plays being a breakout run at the top of the second quarter, shaking off a safety for 37 yards.
He finished the evening with eight carries for 44 yards as the team’s leading rusher.
Dud: Austin Barnard
With Ryan Succop on the PUP list, Barnard is taking his place — at least for now. He missed the first extra point of the game, which didn’t serve as a good indicator for what is to come from him.
He did redeem himself in the second half, making his next attempt in the at the top of the fourth quarter, but it’s hard not to question his consistency.
Barnard was 1-of-3 attempts on the night.
In the words on Mike Keith, this is sure to be “an adventure” moving forward with Barnard.
Stud: Ryan Tannehill
Tannehill looked like a true veteran, keeping the offense in a steady rhythm overall after taking over for Mariota on the Titans’ second drive.
Shortly after being placed in the game, he was key to putting the first points on the board for Tennessee on a 9-play, 89-yard drive that resulted in a touchdown reception by tight end MyCole Pruitt.
This was just the beginning of a good showing for the former Miami Dolphin, who was 12-of-16 for 130 yards and two touchdowns in less than a full half of action.
Dud: Adoree’ Jackson
Jackson was badly beaten on a play relatively early in the second quarter that could have been an interception, but instead resulted in an Eagles touchdown by Marken Michel.
This was initially a close contest, and he can’t have these types of mistakes in tougher, regular season football.
