NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- After making a big splash when he first stepped onto the field in OTAs, things have been relatively quiet during the last couple of weeks for Tennessee Titans rookie receiver Carnell Tate.
He had carried that initial momentum into minicamp and the start of training camp, but he didn't record a catch in two preseason games on five targets after playing a total of 35 snaps with the starting offense.
That's hardly the statistical start anyone wanted, but Tate still remains highly regarded by the coaching staff. And they still feel he will be a top playmaker in their offense.
"I have a great amount of confidence in Tate and how he goes about his business, what he does on the practice field," offensive coordinator Brian Daboll said Tuesday. "Look, I think everybody would love to have 15 catches. But he's doing the right stuff. He's in a good headspace. He's where he's supposed to be."
Tate said he understands the ball isn't always going to find everybody and isn't letting the lack of production over a few preseason games frustrate him.
"Not every day is going to be your best day and not every game is going to be your best game," Tate said. "I'm just staying levelheaded, going out to compete each and every day. You just got to know how to play with emotion, not let emotion play with you. That's the biggest thing. I just stay calm. Don't get too high. Don't get too low."
Titans receivers coach Greg Lewis challenges his receivers to know all the pass catching spots in the offense. This way they're interchangeable and get a better understanding of the full passing concept on each play. Despite being a rookie, Tate has been able to pick up the concepts and execute accordingly.
Lewis called Tate one of the best rookies he's worked with coming from college to the NFL. He praised Tate for the mature way he carries himself, specifically the study habits and how well he's able to implement what he learns on the field.
Moving across the formation is nothing new for Tate, who noted how as a freshman at Ohio State he had to move to the slot when Emeka Egbuka suffered an ankle injury. Tate also played multiple spots as a sophomore to create mismatches for himself and teammate Jeremiah Smith. This also helped him post 51 receptions for 875 yards and nine touchdowns in his final season.
Now Tate will be moving around to help create favorable matchups for himself and veteran wideouts Wan'Dale Robinson and Calvin Ridley. Having them in the room has also helped Tate digest the playbook. Both Robinson and Ridley have played for Daboll in the past. Robinson with the New York Giants and Ridley at Alabama.
"I'm leaning on guys that have been around guys that have been around [Daboll]," Tate said. "I pick up and learn as much as possible from Wan'Dale because he's played every position in the offense and has been with [Daboll] for the past four years. And [Ridley] is familiar with the offense as well."
One of Tate's best plays this summer came from the slot, when he made a leaping catch down the field during a team period as the Titans prepared for joint practice with the Seattle Seahawks. Tate collided with safety Kevin Winston Jr. but managed to hold onto the pass from Cam Ward despite the contact. He didn't return to practice that day but was on the field when the Titans returned to practice two days later.
That explosive play is exactly what the Titans were thirsty for when they made him the No. 4 overall pick in April after seeing him catch five touchdowns of 40 yards or more during his career at Ohio State. Various draft analysts lauded Tate for his polished route-running, natural hands-catching ability and fantastic body control while calling him an immediate impact player.
Lewis said he feels Tate has all the skills to be an impactful player. But he challenged Tate to play with more violence as a receiver "every single day, on every single rep, in every single opportunity, whether it's a drill, meeting or any game situation."
Tate showed some of that in a joint practice against the Chicago Bears on Thursday, hauling in two touchdowns from Ward, who targeted him12 times with seven of them resulting in completions. Tate said he's continuing to build on his connection with Ward and he has stayed ready for the ball to come his way.
"He wants the ball," Ward said. "So when it comes his way, he's urgent to it. He goes up and high points it. He's been great and may not have the splash plays as of late, but he's going to be a key reason why we have success on offense. No. 14 is going to be a playmaker for sure."
Tennessee now heads into its preseason finale Saturday (6 p.m. ET, NFL Network) against the Bears with Ward giving praise to the way Tate aggressively attacks the football, and despite things not clicking yet on game days, it's that aggression in other moments (like Thursday) that have made Ward still go to Tate.
"He's got a dog mentality," Lewis said of Tate. "You ain't going to see it. You just see him go out there and dice you up, not say anything and then come back and do it again."