Wesley Hurt/Getty Photo Agency
Tennessee Titans fans got plenty of positives from rookie quarterback Malik Willis in Saturday’s final preseason game. Willis starts the game against the Arizona Cardinals. The 23-year-old almost Played the entire game and was blocked at the end of the fourth quarter. He was inconsistent on Aug. 20 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, going 7-for-17 for 80 yards, 1 air touchdown and 5 rushing for 42 yards.
Against the Cardinals, Willis had a chance to unleash his speed on the ground. He ran for 79 yards on four possessions, including a 50-yard scramble early in the second quarter, setting up a Julius Chestnut touchdown two games later.
Tennessee [email protected]
Showing off @EAMaddenNFL speed 💨 @malikwillis
📺: Watch #AZvsTEN at @WKRN pic.twitter.com/eVsTJB52LS
Buck Reising @BuckReising
This is the kind of run you want to see from Malik Willis. The defender stepped back and he took the ball 50 yards down the middle through the open lane. Don’t hide behind pockets and keep turning around until you try to get out of bed. Plant and go
Bryan [email protected]
Apparently Malik Willis was listening to the coach.
The kid is sitting in the back, and by his reading, he looks solid.
No running game and no protection has killed his drive. #Titans
ViJay [email protected] What I learned from the first half of the Titans game.
1) Malik Willis is him
2) Stonehouse is a punter on Titan Jack [email protected]_arm34
Malik Willis was starting to feel like Lamar when he was drafted. Both fell a lot and were drafted by teams with a capable but less than ideal 30-something QB. If Malik keeps playing like he used to, he’ll take over like Lamar
The Liberty alum also has plenty of room to show off his throwing skills. He made 15 of 23 shots for 131 yards, 1 touchdown, and 1 interception. Treylon Burks, the 18th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, had his best game of the preseason with 33 yards and three receiving touchdowns. TURRON DAVENPORT @TDavenport_NFL This show showcases Malik Willis’ progress. Last week (just before Chig Okonkwo TD) he had the same look but didn’t throw it to Treylon Burks. This week, he saw it, believed it, and let it tear. https://t.co/eFBj7zwaby
After 12 completions in the first half through an 88-yard pedestrian aerial, Willis had an explosive performance on his first possession of the second half, he Hit Lacy McMath for 26 yards to set up a field goal to give the Titans a 16-10 lead.
Muhammad ☀️ @mhesen09
Malik Willis looks so much better this week! #Titans #TitanUp
All Things Malik Willis @MusicCityMalik7
Malik Willis was more patient with Racey McMath’s 26-yard finish. Rolling to the right, there was a lane to run, but the eyes kept on the field, giving McMath a chance to cross the field and pass the ball to him. Positive progress. #Titans
Kiander Powell @Iamkeandre_
Malik Willis is gone very special
The Titans insist that Ryan Tannehill will be their starting quarterback this season. He didn’t finish preseason, presumably to make sure he was healthy and ready for Week 1 on September 11. Tannehill has done enough to warrant another shot at center during his three-year tenure at Tennessee a season. The Titans have playoff aspirations in 2022 after becoming the AFC’s No. 1 seed last year. Willis had some difficulties in the preseason, especially pitching, suggesting he wasn’t ready for a full-time gig. But Saturday was a sign of Willis’ unique and special talent if he lived up to his potential , could make him a senior quarterback in the NFL. It’s a tall order, but one he was already looking forward to when he first got his hands on a professional defense.
