NASHVILLE, Tenn. —The chase is on for roster spots, and Titans tight end Chase Coffman is doing plenty to convince the decision-makers he deserves to stick around.
After two preseason games, Coffman leads the Titans with six catches for 117 yards and two touchdowns. He has a whopping 19.5-yard average, thanks to his 56-yard touchdown in Sunday's preseason win over the Rams. Coffman caught two touchdowns in the team's 27-14 win.
"The right plays at the right time, versus the right coverage,'' Coffman said afterward. "I just have to make those plays when they come to me."
Coffman has been making plenty of plays in camp. And with veteran Delanie Walker slowed with a thumb injury, he's gotten even more chances as well.
Along with Walker, veterans Anthony Fasano and Craig Stevens are considered locks at the position on the 53-man roster. Coffman, who has played in 35 career games since being drafted in the third round of the 2009 NFL Draft by the Bengals, has stood out while also splitting reps with tight ends Phillip Supernaw and Tevin Westbrook.
Coffman, who's 6-6, 250 pounds, has the hands, and athletic ability. In 2014, he played in 13 games with the Titans and scored a touchdown on a leaping grab against the Steelers.
Whether the Titans believe he can hold up as a blocker is critical in the decision-making process.
"That's a part of it,'' coach Ken Whisenhunt said. "We are deep at that position and that's a good place to be deep because it's hard to find those guys. Chase has done a nice job in camp and we'll get a chance to see him do more things. Obviously, he's got to be able to help us with the blocking and contribute in special teams."
Coffman, who played at Missouri, hopes to convince coaches he deserves to stick around.
On Friday, he'll play in the team's third preseason game against the Chiefs. Coffman was a first-team all-state performer at Raymore-Peculiar High, located roughly 30 minutes from Kansas City.
He hopes to perform well back home, but also for every team watching.
"We have a good tight end group,'' Coffman said. "It is a tough league and you have to make the opportunities count when they come to you and it has been a blessing to get those opportunities.
"Every team will tell you this, but it's not just an audition for the one team you are with, but the 31 other teams out there. I really like this organization and this team, so I'd really like to be here. So we'll see."
