Easy to see one of Titans' problems

When you are 1-3 in the National Football League, you have some problems with execution. Unless Tennessee Titans Coach Jeff Fisher and his co-horts are willing to fold the tent and go for the high draft choices next year, they need to be looking for some answers.

Defensive lines are treating the Titans' offensive line as if it amounted to a Play-Doh 4-Pack, shaping it however they like and bouncing it to the ground for play.

One problem glaringly evident with the .25-successful Titans is a weak running game.

To anyone other than a casual observer, it is also just as evident a problem exists aside from the o-line.

When it comes to the Titans, "running game" is a misnomer. It is, to be more precise, "run game," otherwise known as Eddie George. Sure, quarterback Steve McNair runs some, but more for his life than by design.

George is a tailback with fullback numbers.

George has "rushed" for an average of 2.7 yards on 71 carries. In 2001, an injury-filled year for the four-time Pro Bowler, in 315 attempts it was 3.0. That amounts to fullback stats - not the carries but the average.

There are few rushing fullbacks in the NFL. Blocking for speedy running backs is now their main chore. Mostly gone are the days when a fullback earned his keep by bulling his way for the tough, short yardage.

Some media analysts are making excuses for George; though they are likely unaware they are doing so. It happens when they describe him as a 'tweener,' a cross between a power back and a speedier runner. That part is debatable, but to attribute George's low average yard per gain numbers to his being a power back is wrong.

Power backs, such as a true fullback, or a fullback-type backup runner inserted when the going is short but brutal, will not produce a high-yardage yield average over a given number of carries. By comparison, primary running backs, such as George, should have higher numbers.

Since George is used in traditional running back sets and blocking schemes -- and has such a low yards per carry average -- and is not used primarily in power back situations, he is not a power back but, instead, is merely an unproductive running back.

George has never been fast. He is even less so now. The needle on his accelerometer gauge has sagged, dropping steadily all the way to the low side peg.

To judge how far George's ability has dwindled, one has only had to look - look from that first exhibition game up to now.

The eye is a marvelous thing. Used properly, with certain other parts of the brain, it can eliminate a slough of conjecture and debate.

On a clear day, you might even see the end of the road.