Tennessee Titans: Mason Kinsey Faces ‘Battle of his Life’
Nashville – To say Mason Kinsey is not the identical participant he was two years in the past is an understatement.
Then he was an undrafted rookie at a Division III faculty (Berry Faculty) that had by no means despatched a participant to the NFL. He was clearly a large receiver with bodily prowess, particularly elite velocity, however had no significant expertise with the standard of competitors he all of the sudden confronted in each day apply.
Kinsey introduced a wide-eyed, candy-monger child-like vibe to the sphere that made him one thing that underdog followers would love, however with the egos and accomplishments of those that took a much more conventional route. It did not match precisely.
“He is come a good distance in that respect,” mentioned Tennessee Titans vast receivers coach Rob Moore. “I feel he understands that survival on this league requires a sure stage of professionalism to maintain the success you want. I feel he understands that half.”
Nevertheless, it is also inaccurate to say that the 23-year-old has established himself as an NFL participant or is for certain to stick with the Titans as soon as his present coaching camp and preseason are full.
“He is within the struggle of his life proper now,” Moore added.
Kinsey’s first seen signal of progress was throughout final 12 months’s preseason when he was the group’s main receiver with 14 catches for 131 yards and one landing. He had greater than twice as many receptions and yards as anybody else.
It was clear he may produce in opposition to NFL expertise on recreation phrases, versus 2020, the primary 12 months the preseason was canceled resulting from COVID-19 points. All I did was apply. He hung out on the apply squad for his two groups.
Kinsey’s most vital step got here final October when he was added to the energetic roster for the Titans’ Week 7 matchup in opposition to the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs. In his NFL debut, he performed his 3 snaps on offense and a pair of snaps for his group in specials. The 27-3 Tennessee victory is all his official expertise to this present day.
“It was thrilling,” mentioned Kinsey. “I took an opportunity. I did not get many snaps, however I attempted to profit from it. Simply being there and seeing everybody within the stands, it was actually a blessing. It was wonderful. So , I undoubtedly really feel a bit extra motivated to take part on this 12 months’s camp.”
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This 12 months’s draft offered much more motivation.
The Titans chosen UCLA vast receiver Kyle Phillips within the fifth spherical. The 2 have comparable physiques, with Kinsey saying he is 5ft 10 and 202lbs and Phillips saying he is 5ft 11 and 189lbs and each have talent units that match what groups are in search of of their receivers. is provided with Every additionally acts as a punt returner.
Given the realities of roster constructing and Tennessee’s affinity for bigger vast receivers who could make a distinction as blockers in run video games, it is unlikely that each Kinsey and Phillips will make a 53-man roster at first of coaching camp. Only a few..
“That is what this enterprise is about. It is about competitors,” says Kinsey. “They’re making an attempt to make each room aggressive and I’ll do every part I can to assist Kyle. No, it is my job to take part and compete.”
One among Kinsey’s benefits is expertise, however his case is restricted.
Though he has solely appeared in three preseason contests and one common season look, he has practiced with and performed in opposition to NFL gamers for all however three weeks up to now two seasons. rice area. When the Titans lower him on the finish of his 2020 preseason, the Patriots instantly signed him to the apply group. When New England launched him a month after him, it took him solely three weeks earlier than the Titans put him on their apply squad. In every of his final two Januarys, Tennessee instantly tied him up in a futures contract, permitting him to be concerned in all offseason work.
Within the course of, he has developed a greater understanding of offense, permitting him to play “sooner and a bit extra comfy,” he says.
Offensive coordinator Todd Downing mentioned, “His job, his dedication to studying this assault – making it plug and play wherever, not simply in slot receivers – his versatility and reliability have been acknowledged through the years.” “He got here right here a couple of years in the past and was only a bull in a pottery store. We’re starting to know how we are able to benefit from
Now he has to discover a approach to keep for an additional season.
“You must come right here considering, ‘Somebody’s right here to take my job,'” mentioned Kinsey. “And I feel it applies to everybody on the group. Irrespective of the place you might be, what place you are in, what number of years you’ve got been within the league, it’s a must to assume, ‘Another person goes to take the job that I would like.’ not.
“Yearly is life or demise.”
