Malik Willis made a number of dazzling performs in his NFL debut Thursday night time, although his head coach believed the rookie signal-caller ought to have executed extra.
Willis began at quarterback for the Titans of their first preseason recreation towards the Ravens. He completed the night time finishing six of 11 passing makes an attempt for 107 yards and no touchdowns or interceptions, ok for an 88.1 passer ranking.
Shortly after the sport – by which the Titans misplaced 23-10 – coach Mike Vrabel revealed he took Willis out of the competition moments into the third quarter as a result of the rookie wasn’t passing the ball sufficient.
“He must attempt to throw the ball when guys are open [and] be extra decisive,” Vrabel mentioned of Willis. “We’ll consider that, see if there’s a timing difficulty.”
Regardless of the criticism from his coach, Willis showcased his spectacular ability set that satisfied Tennessee to draft him 86th total on this yr’s NFL Draft.
With lower than a minute into the second quarter, the Liberty product evaded a would-be sack from fellow rookie Kyle Hamilton and squeezed previous two defenders close to the objective line to safe a seven-yard dashing landing. A number of minutes later, he uncorked a 44-yard cross to wide-open receiver Racey McMath, in addition to a sidearm strike to tight finish Tommy Hudson.
Willis had a bent in faculty to tuck his head and run when huge receivers have been open, which was one of many knocks on his recreation that seemingly led to him being the third quarterback chosen within the 2022 draft — behind Kenny Pickett and Desmond Ridder.
Within the second quarter, Willis was searching for a pathway to run the ball moments after taking the snap, however to no avail. As an alternative of stepping up within the pocket and delivering a cross, he remained indecisive for a number of moments too lengthy and suffered a sack.
Then, two performs into the third quarter, Willis briefly scanned the sector earlier than tucking the ball and working for the primary down. It appears as if Vrabel and co. have been trying to break this behavior, as they took the 23-year-old pass-slinger out of the sport instantly after the play.
Willis actually flashed indicators of greatness, although seemingly has an extended option to go earlier than he’s able to assume the beginning quarterback function.
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