Gimmie Him: One person Tennessee Titans would steal from Colts

It’s been a difficult start to the season for the Tennessee Titans, and it doesn’t get any easier this Sunday when they face the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana.

This will be the Titans’ second divisional game of the season, and their first of two against the Colts. The Colts are 2-3 this season, with their wins coming against the Houston Texans and Washington Commanders. The Titans just fell to the Texans in a bad way, which doesn’t bode well for Tennessee.

Every week, we choose a player from the opposing team that we’d like to steal, but this week’s edition of Gimmie Him is a little different. Rather than a player, we’ve decided to “steal” Colts offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter.

It’s clear that what Brian Daboll is doing in Tennessee isn’t working for quarterback Cam Ward. If anything, it seems like Ward has regressed. He doesn’t look comfortable in the pocket; he doesn’t appear sure of his decisions, and he’s holding the ball way too long on most plays. Daboll’s scheme needs a quarterback who can win with his arms and legs, plus receivers who can win downfield. Ward either doesn’t fit that bill, or Daboll isn’t giving him instructions he understands.

Cooter’s scheme is more focused on the quarterback processing quickly and distributing the ball accurately, while using receivers and running backs who make a short gain turn into a bigger one. It’s a more simplified scheme that doesn’t require as much from the quarterback and asks more of its skill players. Given the Titans’ roster, they actually fit Cooter’s scheme and ideals much better than Daboll.

Here’s the kicker, though: Cooter is from Tennessee. He was born and raised in Fayetteville and attended the University of Tennessee, where he played quarterback. He became a graduate assistant with the Volunteers before making the jump to the NFL’s coaching ranks in 2009. So, not only does his scheme fit the personnel on the Titans’ roster, but he would be making a return to his home.

Alas, this is just for fun and is unlikely to happen in the near future. But imagine if Cooter was the one to develop Cam Ward. What would that look like? Would he be the player we all expected him to be in Year 2? It’s hard to say, but it’s also hard to believe that the same guy who is failing Ward managed to bring out the best in Josh Allen. Or perhaps a different perspective is better. Perhaps Josh Allen is an elite quarterback in spite of Brian Daboll.

This article originally appeared on Titans Wire: Gimmie Him: One person Tennessee Titans would steal from Colts