Paul Kuharsky, ESPN Staff Writer 10y

Whisenhunt unhappy with Hunter, receivers

NASHVILLE, Tenn. --  Ken Whisenhunt wasn’t happy with the Tennessee Titans receivers in general and Justin Hunter in particular for what they did against Dallas.

On his weekly radio show on Titans Radio Tuesday night, Whisenhunt had this to say:

Justin didn’t have the greatest game last week. And I think those corners were a little bit more physical with him. The one he had, the long one down the sideline, he’s got to make that catch. That’s what our expectation for him, to be one of the top receivers in the league, has got to be. He’s gotten plenty of reps in practice and there are going to be plenty of opportunities in the game.

I don’t know which way the ball is going to go in the game a lot of it depends on the type of coverages that we play. But we had a long meeting Monday with our receiver group. Because as I said, that group did not play well in the game. And that’s an area where I felt that we have an advantage. Justin is one of those members I feel like can give us that advantage, but he’s a young player. He’s got to grow up and understand the intensity he’s got to bring to every practice and every game and the attention to detail. I’m very encouraged by what we’ve seen, but he’s going to grow in to that position, he just needs to grow up a little quicker and I think he got that message.

It’s a strong message from a coach that has rarely been critical of players in such settings so far. Clearly he hoped sharing it helped give it the weight he feels it needs.

Cincinnati’s got the NFL’s 26th ranked pass defense so far.

The Titans receivers were a bright spot in the preseason and the team’s pass-catchers have to be a strength for this team to have success. Whisenhunt expects a better effort from the group at Paul Brown Stadium.

^ Back to Top ^