What Made RG Atonio Mafi Stand Out to Titans HC Robert Saleh

The Tennessee Titans had to find a new starting right guard for their Week 4 matchup with the Baltimore Ravens. 

The Titans lost rookie Fernando Carmona to an ankle injury on one of the first plays of their Week 3 opening drive against the New York Giants. Jackson Slater came in for Carmona and did pretty well. 

Slater was going to be in the running to start at right guard in Week 4, had it not been for a significant foot injury that sent him to injured reserve. Carmona and Slater are now both on the IR, which means they'll miss at least three more games. 

Robert Saleh kept the RG competition close to the vest leading up to Sunday's game. He did mention that he liked what he saw from all those involved. The frontrunners were Garrett Dellinger and Atonio Mafi. 

Dellinger joined the Titans after being claimed off waivers late in last season. He didn't play in any games, but he was one of the next-best options with both Carmona and Slater out for the time being. 

Mafi joined the team this year after spending time with the New England Patriots, Indianapolis Colts, and Las Vegas Raiders. He had six starts up until Sunday's game. 

Dellinger was added to the injury report on Saturday with an illness, opening the door for Mafi to get the start. Even with a new face in the mix, the Titans allowed the Ravens one sack. 

Saleh was asked what made Mafi stand out in the RG battle at Monday's Zoom call. Saleh said that Mafi did well and that his familiarity with the scheme helped him win the job. 

"I thought he did a nice job," Saleh said. "You know, there's obviously always going to be a couple plays that he's going to look back at and feel like he could have done better. You know, the one sack that was given up, that was a miscommunication between him and J.C., so it's not totally on him, but overall, I thought he did a really nice job. He's coming along. He's familiar with the scheme, having been with Carm before. So, there wasn't a lot of learning that he had to do." 

Mafi had a short amount of time to learn Titans offensive line coach Carmen Bricillo's scheme. The Titans added Mafi on Sept. 11, just a couple of days before they kicked off the regular season against the New York Jets. 

Mafi has been working with the team ever since and got his chance to demonstrate what he's learned on Sunday. 

This is just another example of how the Bricillo hire has paid dividends for the Titans. Not only has Bricillo done a good job limiting the sacks the Titans allow, but he also brought Mafi up to speed very quickly. 

Mafi was then ready to go for Sunday on short notice, with Carmona and Slater heading to IR. Speculation circulated about who the Titans would start at right guard against the Ravens. 

They didn't get the win, but Mafi and the offensive line were still solid. It looks like the Titans have found their right guard until Carmona or Slater comes off the IR.