NASHVILLE, Tenn. – It's a good chance the Tennessee Titans would be even more frustrated by their offensive struggles if they were winless.
Still, things are bad enough with Titans 1-1 going into their home opener.
Receiver Kenny Britt sounded off on Twitter, saying this looks like his final season in Tennessee. He said Wednesday that he was just frustrated about the explanation the Titans gave for benching him briefly. Britt insists he wants to win, do his part and be with the Titans after this season.
The Titans need Britt, and all the other receivers on their roster.
Tennessee has thrown fewer passes than any team in the NFL through the first two games. The offense looks more like a throwback to the ground and pound days of the NFL than a unit suited for today's more pass-happy league.
The team's early reliance on the ground game was to allow Jake Locker to grow into his role as a starting quarterback with the Titans opening the season against two of the NFL's stingier defenses.
But Locker said the Titans must improve.
"When we watch the film, there's opportunities for us we didn't take advantage of," Locker said.
Coach Mike Munchak said the offense needs to stop hurting itself. Through two games, 12 of 15 penalties have come against the offense.
"That's been part of the problem," Munchak said. "There's been other issues, but I think for two games we've been average and we know we've got to be much better than we've been on offense if we're going to win. We're average and we're 1-1 and really should have won two games."
The Titans also have to further develop the passing game.
Tennessee has thrown only 50 passes, two fewer than Seattle and three less than both Oakland and Tampa Bay. No team is averaging less than Tennessee's 123 yards passing per game.
On paper, the quarterback seems to have lots of options, but they need to get on the same page.
Britt has been targeted 11 times with five catches for 43 yards in two games.
The receiver spent plenty of time after practice Wednesday explaining his Twitter post. He wrote that it looked like the Titans were "pullin that Jared Cook card," referring to the tight end allowed to leave in free agency in March. Britt said his frustrations have nothing to do with how many passes are thrown his way.
Britt was upset over being criticized for his approach to blocking and inconsistent route running, and at being benched temporarily in Houston. He was benched after a holding penalty in Houston that wiped out a 10-yard run by Chris Johnson. It was his second penalty in two games, and Munchak had said they wanted Britt to refocus on his blocking.
"Were they wrong for benching me? I believe so," Britt said. "And I believe the excuse they gave was wrong because at that point in time when they did bench me, it had nothing to do with me having mistakes. We watched film, and they didn't correct me on anything from my route at the time. . I don't have any problem blocking or have (a problem with) effort on blocking at all."
Britt is in the final season of his contract. His post resulted in a short conversation with Munchak and a talk with general manage-r Ruston Webster. Britt said the GM reminded him to talk to the Titans first.
"My focus is all about wanting to well for my team," Britt said.
Munchak said he has no policy on social media, though players are reminded that whatever they post can be used as much as a comment to a reporter. He said Britt will play Sunday and play as hard as he has every week.
"There's a lot of guys that don't have enough catches, from the tight ends to the backs to everyone, so I think it's something as we get moving forward, it will all work itself out," Munchak said.
They may get a chance Sunday. The Chargers (1-1) currently are allowing 375.5 yards passing per game.
Notes: LB Zach Brown did not practice and went home Wednesday with a virus. DT Sammie Hill (ankle) did not practice. Munchak said the tackle is very sore and day to day. RT David Stewart (right calf) did not practice but is expected to practice Thursday. WR Kendall Wright (concussion) also sat out. WR Damian Williams (hamstring) returned to practice after getting hurt a week ago.
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AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org
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Follow Teresa M. Walker at www.twitter.com/teresamwalker
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