BEREA, Ohio – The planets might be aligning for Wadsworth, Ohio, native and Tennessee Titans rookie running back Bishop Sankey to have a breakout game against his hometown team.
Coach Ken Whisenhunt has made it clear Sankey will likely be used early and often when the Titans (1-3) host the Browns (1-2) Sunday at LP Field.
“It’s definitely something to be excited about,” said Sankey, who played his high school football at Gonzaga Prep in Spokane. “I’ve just been trying to hone in on the details of footwork and trying to gain the coaches’ trust. The main thing is just focusing on the little things and trying to get everything corrected, so when they put me out there, I’ll know they won’t have any second-guessing, any doubts in their head that I’ll be able to get the job done.”
The Titans drafted Sankey, a University of Washington product, in the second round (No. 54 overall) of this year’s NFL Draft. He’s listed as the No. 2 running back on the depth chart, behind starter Shonn Greene, but the pecking order might be in flux.
“He has done a nice job the last couple of weeks doing the things we asked him to do as far as details of his assignment,” Whisenhunt said of Sankey during a conference call. “He has therefore earned more opportunities, so he’s playing well for us.”
The 5-foot-10, 209-pound Sankey, the first running back drafted this year, worried Whisenhunt with his footwork earlier this season, though he has improved.
“We’ve had some issues where it’s close on the exchanges because he’s been too wide or he hasn’t done the proper footwork — you know, some of the little details — because he’s more worried about protection or vision of the hole,” Whisenhunt said. “You have to make sure you’re really focused on executing those little things exactly right because when you’re taking the ball from the quarterback, you can’t afford to have it on the ground.
“That was the point we were trying to make with Bishop as far as making sure that didn’t happen. He’s worked on that. He’s done better in the games the last few weeks, so credit to him. Just like any player on our football team, when they start showing some good things and doing it the right way, they’re going to get opportunities.”
Through four games, Sankey has 24 carries, nine fewer attempts than Greene, for 123 yards (5.1 average) and one touchdown to go along with three catches for 32 yards.
“I really think I’m doing well when I’m out there, moving the chains, being productive, everything with pass protection,” Sankey said. “One area I want to improve on or take that next step is to have more explosive plays, more explosive runs. I feel like those will come as long as I keep working.”
The Titans have the NFL’s 17th-ranked rushing attack (119.5 yards per game). The Browns are ranked 29th in run defense (153.7 yards allowed per game), and they know Sankey will be a key to the matchup.
“We definitely liked him heading into the draft,” Browns coach Mike Pettine said. “I don’t recall where we had him ranked in relation to the other guys, but he’s a very complete back, a guy that has good vision, can run away from you, but still has that ability to make you miss. He’s pretty good in the pass game as well, and you can just see him getting better.
“It hasn’t been a lot of time, but you can see his role is going to increase. It’s difficult for us to prepare for because they really throw four backs at you whether it’s Dexter McCluster, Shonn Greene, Sankey, Leon Washington. Sankey is a guy that was highly regarded coming out, and he’s certainly living up to it.”
ProFootballFocus.com has Sankey ranked eighth out of 54 running backs in the NFL. McCluster is tied for 19th, and Greene is tied for 33rd. Washington is unranked.
“Sankey has shown a lot of good things,” Browns defensive end Desmond Bryant said. “I wouldn’t be surprised if they try to get him out there more. We haven’t been playing run defense very well. They might try to use him to exploit that. They all come to the table with different strengths. He’s kind of more of the balanced guy of the group. I think he’s good getting to the edge. He can run between the tackles and still make guys miss at the second level. In the passing game, I think he can do some great things as well. He’s definitely a good back. We’ve got to be prepared for him for sure.”
Sankey expects some family members from Northeast Ohio to attend the game. Many of them are lifelong Browns fans, but he believes he has converted them to the other side of this matchup.
“I think I have,” Sankey said with a laugh. “Ever since I’ve been playing for the Titans, they’ve been getting Titans gear and becoming more and more Titans fans. They’re rooting for me, and it’s just good to have that support. There’s always some extra motivation just having them there.”
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