NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Right tackle Jack Conklin brings the Tennessee Titans a lot of the attitude they desire.

But after his first preseason game, it was clear that attitude, paired off with nice production in run blocking and pass-protection work, has some catching up to do.

“He got beat pretty well on one where he gave up a free rush; it was a pressure,” coach Mike Mularkey said. "I think the more he gets, the better he’s going to get. At this stage of his career, I think the run game is his strength right now.”

This is not a surprise, and it’s incredibly early.

The sort of game-planning the Titans will do for the Vikings on Sept. 11 and each subsequent opponent will be a big help for the rookie.

“We’re not game-planning; we’re not going through a personnel review: 'This is what this guy does, be alert for this, if he does that you do this, if he does this, you do that,'” Mularkey said. “Some of it is on the run; you’re learning about your opponent because we’re not planning -- we’re certainly not going through the personnel.”

Conklin will have far more knowledge about his opponents when the games matter.

He’s working to polish his game that has led one analyst, Greg Cosell of NFL Films, to rate his lateral quickness as lacking. Cosell said on my Nashville radio show, The Midday 180, that Conklin is not yet efficient with his feet, with redirecting a rusher or with his balance.

Conklin said the progress in pass protection is largely about “little habitual things, like the matter of getting six inches more back on your step.”

That good work in the run game, but Conklin and his linemates will also have a big bearing on keeping the quarterback upright.

“The run blocking was the emphasis; it’s the emphasis this year,” he said. “If we can run the ball it’s going to make the pass-blocking easier [with defenders] biting on the run sells and opening up those wideouts down field. Really the run game makes us an even better passing team. That’s our emphasis this year, that run game and the smashmouth plays.”

The emphasis also needs to be on limiting hits on Marcus Mariota, and Conklin will need to be a big part of it.