After a quiet one-target outing, Tennessee’s high-priced slot receiver prioritizes team victories over personal statistics as the Titans pivot toward a physical, run-heavy offensive identity.
The Tennessee Titans signed Wan'Dale Robinson to a massive contract in the offseason.
He joined the team in free agency on a four-year, $70 million contract, per Spotrac. With that kind of money, you're expected to have a big role on the team.
Robinson has been the Titans' slot receiver, reprising the role that he had on the New York Giants. Despite being paid all that money and expected to have a big impact on the offense, Robinson's target share hasn't been very high through two games.
Last year, Robinson caught 140 passes for the Giants. In Week 1, he got a decent number of targets.
He was targeted six times and finished with five receptions for 38 receiving yards. On Sunday, Cam Ward looked his way just once.
To Robinson's credit, he caught the pass and went for nine receiving yards. However, it was his only target of the game.
Through two games, Robinson has 47 receiving yards.
Multiple Titans players spoke in the locker room after Wednesday's practice. Robinson was asked whether the recent shortage of targets for him made him want to lobby for more.
He shrugged it off and attributed it to the game plan versus the Philadelphia Eagles, which was to run the ball and be the more physical team.
"No, I think it was just more so how the game was kind of we wanted to play it," Robinson said. "Just kind of wanting to run the football and, you know, just kind of how the game was going. So, never going to go lobby or do anything like that. As long as we're competing out there trying to get a win, that's all that matters."
To be fair to Robinson, the Titans had more success in running the football than they did in the season opener with the New York Jets. The Titans had just 68 rushing yards as a team in Week 1 and then finished with 122 on Sunday.
Tony Pollard led the way with 64 rushing yards, followed by Tyjae Spears (41). Nick Singleton (10) got involved and Ward (7) did as well.
The game plan definitely played a part in Robinson's numbers from Week 2. This will be interesting to watch as the Titans continue to game-plan against each NFL team throughout the year.
The Giants' pass defense has been pretty middling so far. New York has allowed the 10th most passing yards per game (251) through the first two weeks.
It'll be interesting to see how this affects the Titans' plans for Sunday. Will the Titans try to expose that weakness with their passing game, or try to establish the run again to torch the Giants with play action?
We'll have to wait and see what Sunday has in store for us. For Robinson, the Titans may get him more involved if they choose to attack the Giants through the air.
Kickoff is set for noon CT on CBS.
