Robert Saleh Believes Titans Have Found Their Offensive Identity

The Tennessee Titans have had inconsistency on offense. 

One week, they looked lifeless and lost to the New York Jets, 23-10. Then, they looked motivated against the Philadelphia Eagles, even though they still lost 24-20. 

The offense definitely took a step back in the New York Giants game. There were things to like and not like in the Baltimore Ravens game. Cam Ward's connection with Carnell Tate looked promising. 

Sunday was a major step back for the entire offense. 

The Titans offense had 187 total yards. Moving the chains on third down continued to be a problem. 

Tennessee was 4-of-11 on third-down conversions. The running game was nonexistent. The Titans ran for 57 yards on the ground. 

The offensive struggles had a big impact on the game. The Titans lost 26-3 and are now 0-5.

Robert Saleh issued a challenge to his team after the loss. 

He believes this will be a big moment for the franchise, determining who is still around when things change for the better. 

One thing Saleh believes the Titans have is an offensive identity. It may not seem like it at times, but this team will live and die by the offensive line. 

"But again, I go back and I'm not going to look at one game and just say, 'Well, that's what they are.' They've been our most consistent piece on the offensive side of the ball for weeks. And yesterday, like I'll keep reiterating, it was a step back, but it doesn't define who they are. So when you talk about identity, the identity of our offense is going to run through our offensive line, and I feel like we established that during training camp. And we just need to make sure we stay connected to it." 

It may not seem like it after Sunday's game, but the offensive line has consistently been the best part of this Titans' offense under Saleh. The unit's play has improved greatly over the last few years. 

We knew that Peter Skoronski was solid. It's the reason the Titans awarded him a four-year, $100 million extension. 

Question marks surrounded J.C. Latham and Dan Moore. The Titans also had to find a new center and right guard with the departures of Lloyd Cushenberry and Kevin Zeitler. 

The Titans added Austin Schlottmann in free agency, and rookie Fernando Carmona won the starting right guard job in the preseason. 

Carmona beat Cordell Volson for the job, who was the favorite because of his extensive NFL experience. Carmona impressed from day one. 

Unfortunately, Carmona is on the injured reserve with an ankle injury, along with Jackson Slater. 

Still, the Titans found a temporary solution in Atonio Mafi. 

Schlottmann has been solid at center. Moore was pretty bad in the loss to the Texans, but he's been serviceable, which is all the Titans can hope for. Latham has revived his career with how well he's playing this season. 

The Titans have also done better at allowing sacks. The Titans have allowed 10 sacks so far, the 12th fewest in the league. 

Based on what we've seen in the first five games, the Titans are going to do well if the offensive line plays well.