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Zach Mettenberger impresses Tennessee Titans early

How can you impress against air?

Frederick Breedon

New Tennessee Titans quarterback Mettenberger stands one eighth of an inch under 6'5" and looks exactly how you would draw up a quarterback if you could. The former LSU signal caller has his share of issues, the main two being limited mobility (though he can move in the pocket well enough) and a penchant for trying to get the ball to his best players even if they are covered.

One area where Mettenberger has no issues at is arm strength. Check out the arm strength on the throw at 3:09 on the video below. That is about a 55-yard throw. Another one at 4:05 which is nearly 60-yards. Neither complete but there was a PI called on the defender on the later throw, a 60-yard gain in the NFL.

Also, impressive touch/timing throws at 0:25, 2:05, 3:50, 5:25, etc.

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Those that saw him on day one of practice said the same.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>On the first play of practice today QB Zach Mettenberger connected on a pass downfield for <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Titans&amp;src=hash">#Titans</a></p>&mdash; Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) <a href="https://twitter.com/jwyattsports/statuses/467361015164698625">May 16, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Take 2: <a href="https://twitter.com/PaulKuharskyNFL">@PaulKuharskyNFL</a>: Was strong crosswind at <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Titans&amp;src=hash">#Titans</a> today. <a href="https://twitter.com/mettshow">@mettshow</a> threw darts through it.</p>&mdash; Paul Kuharsky (@PaulKuharskyNFL) <a href="https://twitter.com/PaulKuharskyNFL/statuses/467372239298777088">May 16, 2014</a></blockquote>
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There aren't a lot of ways that a player can impress when they are throwing against air, but one of the ways you can is by beating the elements. Completing a deep pass to an undrafted receiver (I would assume) on your first attempt into strong crosswinds is an impressive thing. Obviously I am not ready to anoint him the starter just yet, but positive news is always good to hear.

It will be interesting to see if Mettenberger has a chance to work with any of the Titans deep threats in the preseason like Justin Hunter. Hunter and Mettenberger are made for each other, a quarterback who has all the arm talent in the world and isn't afraid to pull the trigger, and a 6'4" wide receiver that can burn man coverage and has a massive catch radius.