TAMPA, Fla. – Tag. You’re it.
If James Proche emerges as the Titans’ punt returner, it will be in part because of the work he’s done on getting faster and more explosive this offseason. But anyone who’s truly good at the job shows some wiggle, and he says the formation of his dates back to playing tag.
“Tag, growing up playing tag back when we were 11 and 12 in Dallas,” he said. “A little two-hand touch and stuff like that. Shout out to my boys, Derrick and Dedrick Scribens. We used to play little juke games when we were younger, 11 and 12. They used to have all the jukes back in little league, so I used to try to copy their games and just carry it on.”
Among all the unknowns for the Titans, special teams may be the biggest.
The units were a massive problem last season, and Brian Callahan brought in John Fassel to replace the inexperienced Colt Anderson. Chad Brinker and Mike Borgonzi are likely to prioritize special teams while choosing the final players on the 53-man roster in a way that Ran Carthon simply did not.
It’s hard to get a real sense of things out of practice sessions. Johnny Hekker will be fine, but Joey Slye could use a “pressure” situation or two and sorting out the punt return situation is a significant element to the games starting tonight at Raymond James Stadium.
James Proche ranks as the favorite, though he’d complicate the receiver group where Calvin Ridley, Tyler Lockett, Van Jefferson, Elic Ayomanor, Chimere Dike and Bryce Oliver could all rank ahead of him.
Jha’Quan Jackson averaged only 7.7 yards a punt return last season and fumbled three times on 28 returns. He lost the job after he fumbled consecutive chances in Washington.
Proche averaged 9 yards a return over the last two seasons in Cleveland, losing two fumbles in 41 chances.
His said his offseason emphasis was on the track, where he worked to gain speed and explosiveness. He ran a 4.42 at the 2020 combine.
He was at the head of the line in the Titans' punt return work in Thursday’s practice against the Bucs, where returners 
fielded a pount and dealt with an initial defender or two. He fielded his ball cleanly and beat rookie Roman Parodie around the left corner while Amanie Oruwariye did good protection work on the other side.
Jackson, Chimere Dike, TJ Sheffield and Tyjae Spears, who fumbled his chance, were next in line.
Brian Callahan would like to get a lot of punt return work in the game, but it’s impossible to predict how many punts the Titans will get to field.
“We'll try to get all the guys that we think are going to have a chance to be our returner a shot to return in the preseason,” he said. “It may not all be in the same game, but over the course of three games and the joint practices, we should get hopefully some more clarity on what that looks like and some real actual live work. It's hard to simulate it for the punt returner.”