What is a "K-ball" and how did it cost Brian Callahan, Titans potential field goal in loss against Colts?
The Titans didn't have their footballs in order during their 41-20 loss to the Indianapolis Colts on Sept. 21 at Nissan Stadium, resulting in a delay of game penalty, three potential missed points and another embarrassing moment for Titans coach Brian Callahan and his staff.
Specifically, it was their "K-ball," which are footballs used by kickers.
Callahan addressed the mix up during a television interview with CBS during halftime, but didn't specifically address it after the game, though he wasn't asked directly.
Trailing 17-6, the Titans decided to attempt a 57-yard field goal with 47 seconds remaining in the half. Partially because of the ball mishap, a five yard, delay of game penalty was issued, pushing the attempt to 62 yards. That attempt by Joey Slye was partially blocked and the Colts then proceeded to kick a field goal of their own.
"I wanted to get the points there," Callahan told CBS. "It was fourth and about a yardish. We felt like we had a long field goal in our pocket. They didn't sub the K-ball, so we took a delay of game, which we didn't want to do.
"Obviously, we wanted to go faster in our operation, which backed us up. Trying to take points in that spot and obviously it didn't work out for us."
K-balls are specifically used for kickers and punters in football games and are conditioned to their preference.
When asked about it again on Sept. 22, Callahan was elusive in his response.
"I just alluded to the operation in the postgame, just the operation in general," he said. "At the end of the day, I got to do a better job, put us in a better spot. There's really not much more to add to it from what I said postgame."
When pressed about what "operation" to which he was referring, Callahan held serve.
"Our operation as a football team," he said. "My operation as a head coach. Got to be better in that spot. So, again, I don't have much more to add to it than that."
Paul Skrbina is a sports enterprise reporter covering the Predators, Titans, Nashville SC, local colleges and local sports for The Tennessean. Reach him at [email protected] and on the X platform (formerly known as Twitter) @paulskrbina.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee Titans first half mistake included K-ball not being available
Category: Football