Palmer: Hawkins must make himself viable

Offensive coordinator Chris Palmer says he’s more than ready to see wide receiver Lavelle Hawkins return to the form he showed during last year’s breakout season. Hawkins has one catch in three preseason games, and he said Sunday that a lingering ankle injury has slowed him.

“From an injury standpoint, I don’t get into that,” Palmer said. “We look at what they do on the field. Obviously he’s not playing as well as he did last year and he’s got to get that squared away. Whatever it is, he’s got to get squared away and make himself a viable contributor to what’s going on right now.”

Hawkins caught 47 passes for 470 yards last season, after posting a combined total of 19 catches for 239 yards in his first three years. But Palmer said last year’s numbers aren’t important in 2012.

“Each year is a new year,” Palmer said. “What you did in the past is in the past. It’s like coaching. I’m fortunate to be back for another year and I hope I can be back next year. You’re evaluated on a yearly basis and what we see on the field will determine how and in what way we’ll use the players.”

What in particular could Hawkins be doing better?

Said Palmer: “I don’t think he’s playing as fast as he has in the past.”

Source: Titans Insider