NASHVILLE – During his first few years with the Titans, tight end Anthony Firkser watched, and learned.
He picked the brain of veteran Delanie Walker, and then teammate Jonnu Smith.
Along the way, Firkser saw his own role expand. And when he got the chance, he delivered.
Looking back, he gives a lot of credit to those who came before him.
"They were a huge influence in my career and my growth for sure," Firkser said of Walker and Smith. "Just being around those guys, Delanie was a great asset in the pass game and he really excelled in that area. And Jonnu, being that all-around tight end, making big plays and being reliable.
"Using the time that I was around them, it made me a better player."
Heading into the 2021 season, Firkser and fellow veteran Geoff Swaim are the leaders of the tight end group.
Coming off a year when he caught 39 passes for 387 yards and a touchdown in 2020, Firkser is also in line to play a bigger role for the Titans this fall.
Firkser said his mindset hasn't changed, however.
"I am trying to stick to what I have been doing since I first started, and keep growing and learning every day each year," he said. "I just want to keep taking steps to improve, and really grow in areas where I have weaknesses. That's kind of the mentality I've had since I entered the league. I just want to find ways to learn and grow and adapt my game.
"Mainly I just want to find ways to add value and help this team out."
Firkser's body has changed some.
He said he's added roughly 5 to 10 pounds to his 6-foot-2 frame, and is now over 250 pounds. He feels stronger, and he believes the added bulk will help him.
Firkser, who played collegiately at Harvard, said he wants to be a bigger asset in the run game, so the extra size will help with his blocking. But he also wants to stay fast and keep his agility, which will help him as a receiving threat.
"I have been focusing on my whole game, trying to get better in the run game as well as keep improving the pass game stuff," Firkser said. "Just trying to build up more physically, put some more weight and strength on but still be able to move and run well so I can be an asset in the pass game and continue to produce in that area. Just continue to build my game and be as versatile as possible."
In an offense that will include running back Derrick Henry and receivers Julio Jones, A.J. Brown and Josh Reynolds, Firkser could be in line for plenty of opportunities himself this fall.
He's excited about the possibilities.
"We have a ton of weapons out there, and we can spread the ball around and get everyone touches," he said. "We just want to put as much pressure as we can on the defense."
Top Photos of Titans TE Anthony Firkser during the 2020 Season.
NASHVILLE, TN - AUGUST 12, 2020 - Tight end Anthony Firkser #86 of the Tennessee Titans promotional photo shoot at Saint Thomas Sports Park in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
Tight end Anthony Firkser #86 of the Tennessee Titans during practice at Saint Thomas Sports Park on NOVEMBER 18, 2020 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
NASHVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 26, 2020 - Tight end Anthony Firkser #86 of the Tennessee Titans during the travel day to the Minnesota Vikings at the Nashville International Airport in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
Tight end Anthony Firkser #86 of the Tennessee Titans in the tunnel before the Thursday Night Football game between the Tennessee Titans and the Indianapolis Colts at Nissan Stadium on NOVEMBER 12, 2020 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
NASHVILLE, TN - AUGUST 30, 2020 - Tight end Anthony Firkser #86 of the Tennessee Titans and Safety Kevin Byard #31 of the Tennessee Titans during practice at Saint Thomas Sports Park in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
Tight end Anthony Firkser #86 of the Tennessee Titans during the game between the Tennessee Titans and the Baltimore Ravens at Nissan Stadium on January 10, 2021 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
Tight end Anthony Firkser #86 of the Tennessee Titans during the game between the Tennessee Titans and the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on December 27, 2020 in Green Bay, WI. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
Tight end Anthony Firkser #86 of the Tennessee Titans during the game between the Tennessee Titans and the Detroit Lions at Nissan Stadium on DECEMBER 20, 2020 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
Tight end Anthony Firkser #86 of the Tennessee Titans prior to the game between the Tennessee Titans and the Baltimore Ravens at Nissan Stadium on January 10, 2021 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
Tight end Anthony Firkser #86 of the Tennessee Titans during the game between the Tennessee Titans and the Baltimore Ravens at Nissan Stadium on January 10, 2021 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
Tight end Anthony Firkser #86 of the Tennessee Titans during practice at Saint Thomas Sports Park on OCTOBER 29, 2020 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
Tight end Anthony Firkser #86 of the Tennessee Titans during the game between the Tennessee Titans and the Cleveland Browns at Nissan Stadium on DECEMBER 06, 2020 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
Tight end Anthony Firkser #86 of the Tennessee Titans during the game between the Tennessee Titans and the Baltimore Ravens at Nissan Stadium on January 10, 2021 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
Tight end Anthony Firkser #86 of the Tennessee Titans during the game between the Tennessee Titans and the Detroit Lions at Nissan Stadium on December 20, 2020 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
NASHVILLE, TN - AUGUST 23, 2020 - Tight end Anthony Firkser #86 of the Tennessee Titans during practice at Saint Thomas Sports Park in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
Tight end Anthony Firkser #86 of the Tennessee Titans during the game between the Tennessee Titans and the Chicago Bears at Nissan Stadium on NOVEMBER 08, 2020 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
Tight end Anthony Firkser #86 of the Tennessee Titans during the game between the Tennessee Titans and the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on NOVEMBER 22, 2020 in Baltimore, MD. Photo By Will Newton/Tennessee Titans
Tight end Anthony Firkser #86 of the Tennessee Titans during the game between the Tennessee Titans and the Cleveland Browns at Nissan Stadium on DECEMBER 06, 2020 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Alison P. McNabb/Tennessee Titans
Tight end Anthony Firkser #86 of the Tennessee Titans during the game between the Tennessee Titans and the Buffalo Bills at Nissan Stadium on OCTOBER 13, 2020 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Caleb Jones/Tennessee Titans
Tight end Anthony Firkser #86 of the Tennessee Titans during introductions before the game between the Tennessee Titans and the Pittsburgh Steelers at Nissan Stadium on OCTOBER 25, 2020 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 14, 2020 - Tight end Anthony Firkser #86 of the Tennessee Titans during the Monday Night Football game between the Tennessee Titans and the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
Tight end Anthony Firkser #86 of the Tennessee Titans during the game between the Tennessee Titans and the Buffalo Bills at Nissan Stadium on OCTOBER 13, 2020 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Caleb Jones/Tennessee Titans
NASHVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 20, 2020 - Tight end Anthony Firkser #86 of the Tennessee Titans during the game between the Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, TN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
Tight end Anthony Firkser #86 of the Tennessee Titans during the game between the Tennessee Titans and the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium on SEPTEMBER 27, 2020 in Minneapolis, MN. Photo By Donald Page/Tennessee Titans
Tight end Anthony Firkser #86 of the Tennessee Titans during the game between the Tennessee Titans and the Buffalo Bills at Nissan Stadium on OCTOBER 13, 2020 in Nashville, TN. Photo By Tennessee Titans
