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Anthony Firkser eager to settle into bigger role




Terry McCormick

Terry McCormick

As he enters his third season with the Tennessee Titans, Anthony Firkser is set for a much bigger role this year.

Firkser, who had 39 receptions a year ago in a role mostly as a third-down option, is expected to become the Titans’ primary receiving tight end with the departure of Jonnu Smith to New England as a free agent.

While the Titans have running back Derrick Henry and perhaps the best wide receiver tandem in the NFL for Ryan Tannehill to throw to in A.J. Brown and Julio Jones, Firkser is not to be overlooked in the offense. He should benefit greatly from favorable matchups and should build on last year’s production with increased playing time.

“That’s what you try to do as an offense is just to try to have weapons all over and spread the ball around so the defense can’t key one guy or one play specifically. I think that will just help us excel offensively,” the former Harvard standout said. “We’ll see what happens, how the game plan goes, and see where I fit in the offense and see where I can add value.”

Titans coaches and players are excited to see what lies ahead for Firkser as well.

“Confidence is a really powerful thing. Anthony (Firkser) has grown in that area every year that I have been around him. I think he had such a great foundation of a receiving skillset even before I got here and started working with him,” said offensive coordinator Todd Downing, who was Firkser’s position coach the past two seasons. “I am excited to see him grow in all aspects of his game. I think it is a year for him to step up and take a leadership role in a lot of ways, so excited about him and where he is at.”

Safety Kevin Byard passed out some high praise for Firkser when asked this week about the Titans new starting tight end, comparing him to Delanie Walker and Smith.

“Firkser is a top-flight tight end in my opinion. I went against Delanie my first couple of years, and then Jonnu as well. I would definitely put Firkser right up there,” Byard said. “The dynamics of our offense, you’ve got Julio and A.J. and Derrick – that’s the main focal points. If he keeps working the middle of the field, I think Firkser is going to have a year, not making any predictions on what he’s going to do, but I’m excited about what he’s going to be able to do this year. I worked out with him a few of times at Lipscomb this year, so I know the type of work he’s been putting in. I know he’s excited for this opportunity this year with Jonnu departed.”

The one element of Firkser’s game that he wants to improve most is his blocking, something he will be asked to do more of even with the addition of Luke Stocker to the fold as another primary blocking tight end to go with Geoff Swaim.

Firkser said the part of doing the dirty work as a blocker is simply the mindset to take on the challenge.

“Mindset is a big thing. I try to use my hands and my quickness to my advantage. I’m a smaller frame guy, so there are some big d-ends out there, so just being able to get into them quicker and being able to sustain it,” he said. “I think I’ve been improving. I’ve been here for three years now, working under guys like Jonnu and Delanie, Stocker, (MyCole) Pruitt – all those veterans and being able to learn from them on the field and in the meeting rooms, and Arthur (Smith) and Todd being able to help me along the way.”

Coach Mike Vrabel has taken notice of Firkser’s hard work on that aspect of his game.

“I think when you give up a size element, it comes down to technique, it comes down to finish, it comes down to a lot of nuances that he has to be really good with to block at the point of attack,” Vrabel said. “He is working hard at and that is something that he is focusing on, and we are focusing on so that we can use him in a lot of different areas.”

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