Before the Tennessee Titans hit the practice field for their eighth session of training camp, offensive line coach Keith Carter addressed the struggles second-round pick and offensive lineman Dillon Radunz has experienced.
After practice on Wednesday, head coach Mike Vrabel revealed that Radunz “needs to be better,” noting that the rookie has struggled with consistency as he fights for the starting right tackle job.
But Carter provided optimism on Friday, saying that it isn’t all “doom and gloom” for the rookie. He also pointed to how important it is to give young players small victories, per ESPN’s Turron Davenport.
“For all of us, Vrabes does a great job of reminding us to give the guys small victories because, naturally, as a coach the job is to critique, and that’s the first thing you go to,” Carter explained. “We need to make sure he knows it’s not doom and gloom; he’s got to get better, and he is, and we’ve all got to be patient and take it one step at a time.”
Radunz has seen time all over the Titans’ offensive line so far this offseason, something Carter touched on.
“In a perfect world he plays one position and you stick him there and see where you can get him. But, I think in the long run, this will help him because we’re going to need him to play more than one spot,” Carter said. “He’s had his struggles but every rookie has his struggles. He has a great attitude. You think about small victories, here’s things that are improving, that are getting better everyday, and we’ll continue to do that.”
#Titans OL coach Keith Carter admits they're moving Dillon Radunz around. Says they're pointing to small victories as ways to keep confidence. No need for doom and gloom. pic.twitter.com/EJ9ICtcFDE
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) August 6, 2021
Knowing what we know about Radunz, we have to give the edge in the right tackle competition to veteran Kendall Lamm, who Vrabel said the team would be comfortable with at the position going into 2021.
Vrabel: We feel comfortable with Kendall Lamm at right tackle…with Lewan out right now, it’s been David Quessenberry and Kendall #Titans
— Buck Reising (@BuckReising) August 4, 2021
