Receiver Lavelle Hawkins admits he is frustrated and disappointed by being inactive in the season opener against the Oakland Raiders.
Hawkins being off the 45-man active roster had as much to do with special teams decisions as anything, as the Tennessee Titans wanted to have some insurance in the return game by keeping both Marc Mariani and Damian Williams up last Sunday.
Asked if he has to explain to people why he is inactive when is technically the fourth wideout, Hawkins said, “When I talk to people back home, I know they’re probably saying stuff like, ‘Hawk, he’s sorry.’ … I don’t want anybody to think that. I want them to know I can go out there and play.”
When in fact that is not the case, as Hawkins drew rave reviews during OTAs for his improvement in route running and knowledge of the offense. He said that offensive coordinator Mike Heimderdinger told him that his deactivation Sunday had nothing to do with whether or not Hawkins was trustworthy in the offense.
“Coach Heimerdinger told that he trusts me. He just said it was about special teams,” Hawkins said.
Hawkins said he is working on returning punts some himself in order to and enhance his chances of being active.
- Terry McCormick
- co-publiser of TitanInsider - Lions247