The Tennessee Titans entered the new millennium as the top ranked defense in the league. Last season, Tennessee gave up a franchise worst 471 points. For the loyal fan that endured every one of the opponent's 31 touchdowns last season, it seemed like more points than that. Replays were especially tortuous, as analysis after analyst uttered the words...
"Blown coverage"...or even worse...."missed tackle".
What Tennessee lacked more than anything was an identity...and anything that remotely resembled confidence. The Titans may have addressed that issue with two key off season additions.
Upon being reinstated by commissioner Goodell for his role in "Bountygate", the Titans brought back Gregg Williams to assist defensive coordinator Jerry Gray with the defense. Williams enjoyed great success in his previous stint with the Titans. Tennessee finished as the number one defense in the league under Williams' watch in 2000. He became the Buffalo Bills head coach in 2001.
Williams is a no nonsense, tough nosed, old school coach. He simply will not tolerate the type of effort put out by that defense last year. His experience (over Gray) should immediately improve the unit from a preparation and scheme standpoint. And his previous success with the team should be encouraging to Titans fans.
The second biggest addition to the Titans defense was strong safety Bernard Pollard. Like Williams, Bernard Pollard is a no nonsense, tough nosed, old school strong safety. Pollard will tell you that he's about to knock you out...then back it up with a "hit stick" shot. His presence on the defense should benefit Tennessee both on and off the field.
Pollard brings championship experience and veteran leadership to a unit that was arguably the worst on the team last year. His presence at strong safety will also allow Michael Griffin to return to his natural role of free safety. Pollard has already established a "unit bonding" night in which all the safeties meet up and hang out away from the facility. He credits former Ravens safety Ed Reed for implementing that tradition in Baltimore.
Tennessee added a couple of 300 pound linemen to help beef up the defensive line...a defensive line that often looked like they were playing on roller skates last year. The corner backs are set with Alterraun Verner and Jason McCorty, but it's time for linebacker Akeem Ayers to shed the "potential" label, and take his game to a high draft pick level. Simply not enough impact plays.
With so few changes to the defensive side of the ball, the Titans could be sending a message that last year's fiasco of a defense simply needed an attitude adjustment.
We'll see if that's true, because if it's not..... follow @plcolter
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment