Titans perfectly happy with Crumpler's production

Posted by ESPN.com's Paul Kuharsky NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- When they signed Alge Crumpler, it looked like a very big deal for the Titans.
But with Tennessee at 5-0, his contribution on the stat sheet hasn't been what most would have expected. He caught the game-winning touchdown in Baltimore on Sunday, but it was just the veteran tight ends' seventh catch in five games.
We can't complain about his production considering the undefeated record. And it would make sense that he's a less necessary safety-valve option for Kerry Collins than he would have been for Vince Young.
"Really it's what I envisioned," offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger said. "Sunday we tried to get him the ball on a deep crosser and Kerry threw it into the ground, he just missed him, he was wide open. Out of all the things we've been doing, Alge should probably have two more catches where he was wide open where he should have been the first progression."
The Titans leading receiver is their other pass-catching tight end, Bo Scaife. He's got 20. Four others also rank ahead of Crumpler: Justin Gage (12), Chris Johnson (12), Brandon Jones (11) and Justin McCareins (eight).
"It's not like we're the St. Louis Rams in their Super Bowl years," Heimerdinger said. "That's just how it's spread out."
Jeff Fisher has said that the coverages the Titans have been seeing simply dictate more throws outside. With an eighth defender in the box, the middle is more crowded and the better matchups are on the perimeter with receivers.
"A lot of what we're facing offensively is a three-deep contour on defense because of our ability to run, so the first read ends up going outside to the wide receivers," Fisher said. "Kerry is making quicker decisions and getting rid of it. But it will come. It comes. (Crumpler's) numbers will come. He's a very unselfish player, he's blocking very well, he's a big part of our offense."
Two scouts I spoke with recently both said they think Crumpler can still be an effective pass catcher like he was for so long in Atlanta.
Crumpler has been a consummate team guy, not complaining one bit, very happy to be part of a healthy, winning atmosphere after the circus he endured last year in Atlanta because of big stories involving Michael Vick and Bobby Petrino.
"At some point, the cracks are going to come," Crumpler said. "I have no doubts I'm going to get my chances."
There is no cause for him to be concerned about his opportunities in the offense, Heimerdinger said.
"When you come in on Wednesdays in installation, if you see there are no passes where you have a chance to even get a ball, then you start to worry," Heimerdinger said. "As long as you're in the progressions, as long as you're there, then it depends on how people play us and how they cover it. There is nothing we have designed that says 'Don't throw it to Alge here.' He's definitely in it. The ball's just going other places."
General Manager Mike Reinfeldt said he still counts Crumpler as very productive based on his work as a blocker and the leadership he's brought to the offense.
"Everything he does helps you win football games," Reinfeldt said.


More...