NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Tennessee Titans signed Shonn Greene to a three-year deal worth nearly $10 million in 2013.

Analysts thought it was too much for a back of his skills, but the Titans believed the power runner would be an excellent changeup from speedster Chris Johnson.

In his second season, Greene is part of a running back committee that doesn't include Johnson, and he's working for a new coach and in a new system in Ken Whisenhunt.

Sunday against Cleveland, as officials reviewed the spot of a crucial fourth-quarter, third-down play, Whisenhunt and his staff had plenty of time to decide what to do if it was ruled a fourth-and-1.

That's what they faced when things were sorted out.

While they considered multiple plays, they decided to sneak with quarterback Charlie Whitehurst, who was quickly stood up and pushed back.

I have less of an issue with the decision to go for it (the right choice based on probability), than with the decision to sneak with Whitehurst.

He's more mobile than he gets credit for, but that's forcing him into some tight quarters.

You know who should be good at running in tight quarters?

Greene.

The Titans have run on nine plays this season when they ran needing a yard or less for a first down. Greene, who fits the bill as a short-yardage specialist, has taken a handoff just twice in those situations, per ESPN Stats & Information.

Dexter McCluster and Bishop Sankey also got the ball in two of those situations. Jackie Battle, Jake Locker and now Whitehurst, got one each.

The best chance at getting that yard at that stage should come with Greene. He wasn't even on the field. Sankey was.

Greene has 22 percent of the Titans' runs when the need a yard for a first down.

He has 33 percent of their runs when they need between 2-5 yards for a first down.

He has 47 percent of their runs when they need between 6-10 yards for a first down.

Those numbers are backwards and upside down.