NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Dorial Green-Beckham is growing up, on NFL fields on Sundays.
The Titans rookie receiver turned in his second 100-yard receiving game in three weeks on Sunday against the Patriots, a performance that earned him consideration for Pepsi Rookie of the Week honors.
Green-Beckham now leads all Titans receivers in receiving yards (528), and is second only to tight end Delanie Walker (935) on the team. He's averaging a team high 17.6 yards per catch.
"Guys look at me as a guy who is going to help this offense, and that's what I have to do. I have to keep grinding,'' Green-Beckham said. "I'm just getting opportunities thrown my way, and taking advantage of those, trying to make plays."
A second-round pick by the Titans, Green-Beckham caught six passes for 113 yards against the Patriots. On December 6, Green-Beckham caught five passes for 119 yards and a touchdown in a win over the Jaguars.
The Titans have been pleased with his progress.
Interim coach Mike Mularkey thought he took another positive step on Sunday.
"What I liked about what happened (vs New England) was some of the throws, Zach (Mettenberger) made some throws that gave him a chance to make a play, contested plays where he's actually covered, and he made some plays on the throws. He has not done a lot of that consistently,'' Mularkey said. "There are still growing pains with him as there are with some of those other younger guys. He can't line up on the tight end, illegal formation, things like that, splits. There is enough there that he has work to do, there is no question about it. But I do think he took a step forward."
Mettenberger, who will start Sunday's game against the Houston Texans, completed a number of big-gainers to Green-Beckham, including a 29-yarder and a 30-yarder.
Mettenberger said the two began developing chemistry during the summer.
"I think that started in camp … when we were rolling with the 2s. So we kind of have a good feel for each other,'' Mettenberger said. "We really like getting him going because once he gets some confidence in himself he is a load to bring down."
Green-Beckham wants to keep it going, and end the season on a high note.
After recording just seven catches for 104 yards in the first seven weeks of the season, Green-Beckham has 23 catches for 424 yards in the last seven games.
"I just have to stay in my zone, keep with the fundamentals and try and make plays no matter who is throwing the ball,'' he said. "The key is to just stay focused. (The Patriots) game is over with and now (I need to) focus on what we need to do now to beat Houston."
