SB Nation - Dave Ball

The Tennessee Titans Defensive Line At Week 11: Like a phoenix rising from the ashes of a dumpster fire

August West — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:53:12 -0000

CJ may carry the flag, but the defensive line carries the torch on this team.

On the way to 13 wins and the AFC's top seed in the 2008 playoffs, one unit truly defined the Tennessee Titans: (usually after that colon I'd write 'the defensive line' like it held some sort of impact or suspense, but come on, you read the title of the post). Last year's defensive line was a nearly mythical beast -- like half Deacon Jones, half El Chupacabra, and half Manbearpig -- that relentlessly harassed offenses and disrupted any game plan that couldn't be executed in 2.3 seconds. Mothers of quarterbacks and offensive linemen cried when they would discover heir husky pride and joys would have to face Big Albert and the gang the next week. It was defense so good it bordered on sexy sometimes.

Well, that collection of talent was squandered in the playoffs, and the most dynamic talent on the line cashed in on a rebuilt image for a pile of monopoly money soaking in the Potomac Basin. With Albert gone and coordinator Jim Schwartz headed to Detroit there was much speculation as to how, yet little doubt if, the defensive line could come close to making the impact they had the year before. Sure Albert is gone, we said, but this unit was always a big rotation and that depth would be the key. Jason Jones grew into a beast at the end of last season, and the ends will be better than ever!

Cut to week 6 of 2009 and we’re all feeling a little foolish after an 0-6 start and an especially emasculating 0-59 loss to the Patriots...

The D-line struggled with a pile of injuries (Jones, Ford) and disappearing acts by veterans so beloved they had nicknames (Boom King, The Freak). Efforts to blitz and use the safeties aggressively, combined with injuries to Cortland Finnegan and Vincent Fuller, resulted in a line that couldn’t penetrate and a secondary that couldn’t cover.

Looking at the last three games, however, one that same defensive line has combined with a healthy secondary to give us a glimpse of the defense we expected at the beginning of the year. Where as a few weeks ago Tony Brown looked like the only D-lineman who did a lick of work in the off-season, we’re now looking at massive strides being made by MCM favorite Jacob Ford, self-made starter William Hayes, rookie Sen’Derrick Marks and a healthy Jason Jones. The deep rotation is also benefiting from improved play by Boom King and newcomer Jovan Haye, along with the reliable (if unspectacular) contributions of Dave Ball and Kevin Vickerson.

What has this improved play wrought? Do 10 sacks in 3 games sound better 11 in 6 games? You bet it does. Well, how about forcing 8 turnovers in 3 games (most due to pressure) after we only got 8 in the previous 6?

What about a sack rate that’s better than the vaunted Colts D-line? I mean hell, that’s all their DE’s do is play the pass.

We have the best RB in the league right now, and Vince Young is a walking headline no matter what he does, but anyone who overlooks the improvement Chuck Cecil and Jim Washburn have gotten out of the line does so at their own peril. The pressure has helped cover for our horrendous safety play, and they don’t waste their opportunities when Cecil dials-up the blitz.

Are they back to where they were in 2008? Of course not; the 2008 defensive line was a rare collection of talent, but this group is showing signs of turning into something special all the same.

So lets debate Vince Young over 600 comments in a troll call, and lets vote Chris Johnson into the Pro Bowl until he gets more votes than most presidents. But just remember: it’s going to be the success or failure of Tony Brown, Williams Hayes, Kyle Vanden Bosch, Jason Jones and Jacob Ford that decide if we’re watching a miracle or just a nifty turnaround.

Tennessee Titans Morning Links: How We Blitz Edition

August West — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 13:57:43 -0000

More photos » by John Russell - AP

Twas not in the cards, my good man.

Browse more photos »

Want some idea of how cheery is it in the Titans locker room these days? Vince Young's alleged/apparent annoyance at getting mop-up duty has taken a back seat to Jevon Kearse storming out of the stadium after being told that he was a healthy scratch last game. In Kearse's defense, I don't know why you'd sit him when Dave Ball and Boom King have been even less effective this year...

Some observers think the problem with our defense isn't really how little or how much we blitz, but how we blitz:

For one thing, they believe that Cecil — the team's former secondary assistant, who was named the replacement for the departed Jim Schwartz instead of LB coach and former NFL defensive coordinator Dave McGinnis — needs to start employing a much more aggressive approach.

"Schwartz (who moved on to Detroit to become the Lions' head coach) would be dialing up blitzes from all over," said one observer.

Follow us through the jump for more news and links...

Nick Harper is out for 4-6 weeks with a broken forearm... which I'm actually pretty cool with. I mean I don't want to see anyone get hurt, but I don't want to see Nick Harper playing like he has all year either.

Jeff Fisher told reporters he understands why fans are so distraught over our poor start this year... which makes me feel about 0% better.

Vince Young was voted the 10th most beloved player in college football history, and I"m honestly surprised he's not higher on that list.

Will Leon of TitansTracker.com has a suggestion for yesterday's word association exercise: tomato can.

If there's anything you would like to share with the MCM community, please take advantage of the comments, fanshots and fanposts to do so! Or, you can always email me at mcmaugustwest@gmail.com.

More Dominant Defensive Line - Titans Vs. Texans

Jake — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 14:30:10 -0000

In the midst of the Steve McNair tragedy, Adam Schein of Fox Sports made a couple of startling statements that would usually have garnered his weekly column more attention from football fans, especially in the cities of Houston and Nashville. Schein contends that the Saints would have a better defense than the Buccaneers, the Bengals will be better offensively than the Steelers, and the Bills are better off at WR than the Patriots. Maybe most surprising of all though, was his assertion that the defensive line of the Houston Texans was superior to that of the Tennessee Titans.

Some of the national media have jumped firmly on the Texans bandwagon, but few writers have actually stated their arguments for why the team should now be considered a contender. Schein made what was upon first glance a brief yet convincing argument, although in honesty I was doing cartwheels just to hear a major NFL journalist describe any Texans defensive position group as better quality than the Titans or any other NFL team for that matter. Seriously, when have you ever heard a similar argument made by a writer who wasn’t local to Houston?

Schein designed his column to be controversial, but it appears that he firmly believes in all of his claims. All the same though, I’m sure the majority of people that read his Titans vs. Texans theory immediately scoffed. As was noted earlier, Schein’s argument was too superficial to convince the average fan of its merit much less a Tennessean. Even I was leery of agreeing with such a claim because of the presence of defensive line wizard Jim Washburn. Obviously the case required further inspection before it could be confirmed or denied.

Schein’s argument against the Titans is simple:

Albert Haynesworth has left the building. And finally, after years of defections on the defensive line where players who left Tennessee were easily replaced, the Titans' unit will dip. Kyle Vanden Bosch is an energizer bunny, but can't do it alone. I'm not sold on the Jason Jones/Tony Brown/Jovan Haye/Sen'Derrick Marks rotation at tackle.

Haynesworth was a force for the Titans in two consecutive seasons while playing for a record contract he would eventually receive from the Washington Redskins in free agency. After 91 total tackles and 14.5 sacks in the last two years, it’s not hard to see why so many writers believe that the defensive line won’t be the same without Fat Albert. It’s not just the production that Tennessee will miss though; it’s the role the Haynesworth played.

Schein makes the point that he believes the defensive tackle rotation sans Hayneworth is lacking. Out of the four, only Jones and Brown played for the Titans last year but performed well with 83 tackles and 9 sacks between them. Brown, however, is an undersized penetrating under tackle at 6’3" 290 pounds that benefited from playing alongside the mammoth 6’6" 320 pound Haynesworth. Jones saw increased playing time after Haynesworth’s injury in weeks 15-17, but the 6’5" 275 pound second year DT has to fill out before he could replace Albert.

Javon Haye was a Titan free agent signee after three inconsistent years in Tampa Bay. After a slow 2006, he showed flashes of potential in 2007 with 68 tackles and 6 sacks but regressed to just 33 tackles and no sacks in 2008. Besides his inconsistency, Haye is undersized as well (6’2" 285).

The only DT that has even close the size required to play in the middle is the rookie Marks at 6’2" 305. The odds of Marks playing close to Haynesworth’s level are low though. Marks suffered from ankle, shoulder, hamstring and feet injuries at Auburn, and was also accused regularly of poor conditioning and effort. Marks was a risky pick as a junior in the second round, but was likely a sign of Tennessee’s anxiety over the hole that Haynesworth left.

It’s not only the defensive tackles that are likely to suffer from Haynesworth’s absence; the defensive ends will likely experience stiffer competition as well. Schein described Vanden Bosch as an energizer bunny, but that isn’t the most apt comparison anymore. I understand that Schein was referring to Vanden Bosch’s notorious high motor, but at age 30 he’s begun to show signs of slowing down.

Vanden Bosch went from 12 sacks in 2007 to just 4.5 in 2008 while missing six games. Vanden Bosch can likely bounce back, but it’s probable that he has seen his peak. Additionally, at 32 Javon Kearse is no spring chicken either. Both benefitted greatly from Haynesworth’s dominant presence in the middle which almost always incurred a double team, insuring that neither faced two blockers regularly themselves. Who’s going to engender that kind of fear and respect out of the defensive tackles previously mentioned?

Vanden Bosch was injured for the three games that Haynesworth missed in 2008, but the year before Vanden Bosch showed signs of how much he gained from the All Pro defensive tackle’s presence. In the four games that Hayneworth missed in 2007, Vanden Bosch only recorded 1 of his 12 sacks. So in the quarter of the season that Haynesworth missed, Vanden Bosch produced a little over 8 percent of his season total. Coincidentally, the Titans lost three out of those four games.

The Titans did get help from two younger defensive ends last year, Dave Ball and Jacob Ford. Ball is a journeyman who played well for the Titans in his first year with the team, while Ford was a pass rushing specialist as a rookie tallying 7 sacks. Ball will never be dominant though, and Ford needs to develop his run stopping ability before he can be an every down player.

I’ll have more on our line as the season nears, but with a regressing Amobi Okoye in 2008, an unproven rookie Connor Barwin, and Antonio Smith who has never taken a snap outside of Arizona, an argumentative Tennessee fan could criticize our line as well. The difference, however, is that our defense has been our Achilles heel, where as the Titans have built their team around that particular unit. Our offense is explosive enough to possibly overcome defensive shortcomings, but I highly doubt that Vince Young or Kerry Collins could lead an offense from behind consistently.

The Titans were able to win thirteen games last year because of the dominance of their defense. The low scores they gave up on that side of the ball allowed Jeff Fisher to play the ball control offense that he prefers. If the Titans are scored upon early, the Titans will not be able to run their way back into the game, rather they’ll have to rely on the aforementioned quarterbacks and a receiving corps that features a rookie with reported attitude problems (Kenny Britt), a historically underachieving veteran (Justin Gage) and a free agent signee who has never played above the level of a number three receiver (Nate Washington). Unless defensive line coach Jim Washburn can somehow get someone to play at Fat Albert’s level, Adam Schein might write an "I told you so" column following the 2009 season.

Spaulding Roundup: Football News & Notes

Nestor — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 12:06:15 -0000

Let's start the Monday with some good news out of Vegas. The latest UCLA commit - QB Brett Nottingham - was the "top" performing QB at the Elite-11 QB camp at UNLV. From Craig Haubert of Scout Inc. from ESPN (HT PEDbruin):

Top performer: Brett Nottingham (Danville, Calif./Monte Vista)

Although a few quarterbacks performed well enough to claim this title, Nottingham had the best and most consistent day. The recent UCLA commit, who looked like a a polished pocket passer on tape, displayed that same skill in Saturday's workout. He looked very smooth and quick in his drops and showed strong ballhandling skills. He did not have the strongest arm in attendance but was very accurate and threw catchable balls. He really shined in short-to-intermediate passing work. He does not have striking physical measurables (6-foot-4, 208 pounds) but is a good-sized kid in person. The Bruins picked up a pretty good player who is fairly far along in his development and, based off his film and live workouts, should compete for playing time early in his career.

If Brett gets invited to the Elite-11 camp he will be the ~~third~~ fifth UCLA QB recruit to get invited to that camp in this decade (following ~~the two Olsons: Drew and Ben~~ Drew Olson, Ben Olson, Nick Crissman and Richard Brehaut) [HT to BruinsRule].

One guy I am sure chomping for the opportunity to coach Brett is Norm Chow. In case you some of you missed it, ESPN's Ted Miller recently sat down with Chow for a great interview posted on WWL's Pac-10 blog. There were could of his comments I thought were worth highlighting on the home page. I thought Chow's responses re. Kevin Prince's performance this spring was somewhat comforting:

This spring you guys tapped redshirt freshman Kevin Price the starting quarterback fairly quickly: What about him impressed you?

NC: He's bright. He's strong. He's got a nice arm. He understands the game. He hasn't played for two years. He was hurt [his senior year of high school] and was already committed to the University of Washington when we got here, but we talked him into staying down here. He lives 10 minutes from UCLA and always wanted to go there, but I guess the previous staff didn't really recruit him or whatever. So he's a guy who wants to be there. He wants to be a good player. If we made a mistake, we probably should have played him a little bit last year, but the way the season was going and mid-way through the season when we'd have to make that decision about a redshirt and so forth we decided as a staff it would be best to hold him out. So the negative is he hasn't played for two years. The positive is that he understands the offense after being a part of it for a year and he's ready to explode, I hope.

Prince didn't play well in the scrimmages: Why do you think that was and does that concern you?

NC: No, not at all. Scrimmages are scrimmages -- we don't game plan; we just call plays. The defensive guys are trying to get their work done and you're trying to get your work done, so oftentimes it doesn't match, if you will. But I thought he performed well. He managed the offense. Maybe the numbers weren't like they were supposed to be but I thought he did well in the spring.

Chow then went on to emphasize how the OL will "always be the key." The most interesting part of his interview was this response wrt to his relationship with CRN:

Obviously Rick Neuheisel, a former UCLA quarterback, is an offensive guy. And he's a hands-on head coach. Did you guys ever butt heads during the season?

NC: Not at all. We have respect for each other. We're both trying to get the same things done. We have very similar ideas about offense. No, it was a joy. This past year, of all the years I've ever coached, was the first time I worked with an offensive coach, an offensive-minded head coach. I've always worked with defensive-minded head coaches, both in college and the NFL. They kind of have a tendency to leave you alone. But Rick was very good about suggestions and thoughts. All you're trying to do is get better. We got along very well. In fact, it was fun. He was a joy to work with. He's a nice guy. He's a fun guy. He's an intense guy. He's perfect for the head coaching position at UCLA.

Not sure if I have ever heard Chow speak of the former head coaches he worked under in such glowing terms. Something must be working right in Westwood and this is right in line with the feedback we have read over the years from other coaches who have worked under Neuheisel.

Lastly, we will end the roundup with couple of stories on alums doing really well in their careers following UCLA football. Dave Ball who terrorized QBs in a Bruin uniform is doing well with Chow's former employer Tennesse Titans. There was a nice write up on him last week in Nashville's City Paper.

Then there is Chad Sauter. Remember Chad? He was one of the anchors of the offensive line that protected number 18 and opened up holes for Skip Hicks and Deshaun Foster during UCLA's 20 game winning streak back in late 90s. Chad is now an L.A. County Sherrif's deputy. He is also coaching up kids as a volunteer assistant at Lynwood and Compton Centennial High Schools as a volunter assistant. Chad is doing his own version of shock-and-awe campaign while coaching up kids in those two schools:

Though he is responsible for the linemen, Sauter, 33, works with quarterbacks on understanding defensive formations, and he shows linebackers how to read linemen's stances to determine whether the offense is going to run or pass.

Sauter says the teens he works with are good kids. And he plans to keep it that way through his own shock-and-awe campaign.

He awes players by showing off his Cotton Bowl and Rose Bowl rings as incentive to go to college. He shocks them with stories of teenage lives gone awry.

"He's seen kids go in and out of jail, get killed and all that," said DeShawn Foxx, a running back and linebacker for Lynwood. "That helped some of the players on the team open their eyes and realize that life's not a joke."

Even players who were initially hesitant about having a deputy in their midst have come to appreciate Sauter's easygoing manner and sense of humor.

"He does a good job with the at-risk kids," Lynwood Coach Mark Williams said. "I might tell him, 'This cat might have a little problem there. See what kind of rapport you can build with him.' After a while, you'll see him talking to them for hours."

Good to hear there is at least one police not owned by the Trojans in LA.

GO BRUINS.

Tennessee Titans Morning Links: Haye In The Shade Edition

August West — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 14:00:20 -0000

More photos » by Mark Humphrey - AP

Only 45 more days. Only 45 more days. Only 45 more days. Only 45 more days. Only 45 more days. Only 45 more days. Only 45 more days. Only 45 more days. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

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Terry McCormick catches up with Dave Ball, who is adjusting to playing on the left side this year, where he'll line-up opposite of Boom King. Ball is also adjusting to not getting cut.

Crazy Legs and LenDale are taking shots at each other on Twitter and via the media, with some seeing the 2nd year stud as looking more and more selfish. Personally, I hope they both play angry... I'd love to see two 1,000 yard rushers.

Keith Bulluck got a custom-made cowboy hat from Tim McGraw.

The competition for the kick and punt return spots won't start until minicamps in a month, but Gary Estwick has an early look at the potential applicants. I better not see Cortland Finnegan or Michael Griffin back there either.

Here are some good notes, including one on Jovan Haye learning new techniques.

Peter King chimes in on the VY-Collins mentor/mentee relationship again in his mail bag column.

Ross Tucker talks with current players, all of whom are interested in broadcasting after they retire, about current broadcasters.

Now that the slower period of the off-season is upon us your help in finding out of the way Titans stories is more important than ever. If you have a link you'd like to submit for tomorrow's Morning Links email me at mcmaugustwest@gmail.com! (Be sure to include your commenting handle so I can give you glowing, semi-anonymous credit.)

The All-AFC South Roster

shake n bake — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 23:24:40 -0000

With the division "bloggers" over at ESPN.com digging into their bag of gimmicks, listing top 10 "building blocks" (players you'd choose if your goal was to contend for a title over the next 3 years) I set out to expand on their concept. Building an All-AFC South cast of starters, and now a 45 man gameday-roster that fits under the cap (with room to spare for the inactives).

QB: Still gotta have Peyton Manning (14mil), he's expensive, but the best QB in the league is worth it. On the principal that it's better to go out with a bang than a whimper my backup is the newly signed Rex Grossman (620k) In a league where Jim Sorgi, Cleo Lemon and Dan Orlosky make 1.3, 2.8 and 3.1 million a year, respectively, a QB who has had even short term success as a starter is a great deal for the league minimum.

RB: I chose MJD for the All-AFC South starters, but his new contract extension makes him 3 times more expensive than Chris Johnson or Joseph Addai, and the price of 5 Steve Slatons. MJD isn't THAT much better than the other 3, not by a longshot. So with MJD out in a cost cutting move, I'll pass up my former draft crush and the back I've fiercely defended for the last year, for Steve Slaton (552K). Slaton is the cheapest, was a better receiver than Johnson and weathered a workload that broke Addai down in 2007. The main hole is Slaton's game is as a pass blocker. Where could we find a tandem partner who can pass block? Joseph Addai (1.67mil), and I've got the cash, so let's grab all 3 starting backs still on their rookie deals, Chris Johnson (1.79mil)

WR: I was able to save on the backs, but there isn't cheap talent near the levels of Andre Johnson (7.2mil) and Reggie Wayne (6.96mil), Anthony Gonzalez is a great 3rd WR for relatively little (1.31mil), Kevin Walter (2mil) averaged 15 yards a catch while catchin 63% of his targets last year, both solidly above average.

TE: I'm all about the passing offense, meaning I'll lay down the nearly 10million for the two best TEs in the division. Dallas Clark (6.77mil), and Owen Daniels (2.79mil), A blocking TE and possible FB Gijon Robinson at the league minimum (385K) to fill out the TEs.

LT: 5.88mil isn't much to pay for my first choice of left tackles, Michael Roos. To backup I'll take a project tackle for 1.6mil, Duane Brown.

LG: My first choice of left guards comes pretty cheap at 1.2 million, Eugene Amano. Backing up will be a solid guard who can swing outside, Charlie Johnson (556K).

C: Jeff Saturday's new deal costs just 3.98mil this year. 396k for Jamey Richard, the only other center Peyton's taken real game snaps from in years.

RG: Jake Scott 4.5mil, I didn't really want to spend at guard but the cheaper options are either coming off major injuries or aren't proven. To get guard value out of this pool laying out the cash for Scott is the surest way. I'll back him up with a 16 game starter at guard last year for a vet minimum deal Mike Brisiel (460K).

RT: All four AFC South starting right tackles cost between 4 and 6 million, so I'm making a position change, Tony Ugoh (941K). Ugoh is a powerful run blocker, who would now have much less pressure on him in pass pro.

DEs: Pass Pressure is VITAL and Mario Williams comes remarkably cheap this year at 2.65million allowing for splurging on Dwight Freeney (11.2mil), and Robert Mathis (6.86mil), Dave Ball (620K) is a cheap combo of size and pass rushing ability.

DTs: A 3 man team of undersized pass rushing DTs comes pretty cheap. Tony Brown (1.4mil), Eric Foster (385k), Jason Jones (761K) For some size and massive upside I'll take Amobi Okoye to rebound for (3.12mil), and round out the DTs with Antonio Johnson for some safe league minimum (385k) beef.

LBs: Can't run a Tampa-2 without a top cover MLB, Gary Brackett (3.08mil), DeMeco Ryans is more than worth the 1.4mil price tag to slide to the strongside, on the weakside Clint Session comes dirt cheap at 552K, Xavier Adibi (498K) was a favorite prospect of mine and is working his way into the Texans lineup as a cover LB, I'll round out the LBs with some size and run D from Phillip Wheeler (546K) and Zach Diles (474K)

CB: Cortland Finnegan is an easy choice for just 3.65mil, Kelvin Hayden at 6.68mil is fine for a young talented corner. Marlin Jackson will hold down the slot for 2.76mil. For a backup Fred Bennett has great upside for only 460K

FS: Antoine Bethea or Michael Griffin? Bethea or Griffin? How about both since Bethea comes cheap (552K), Griffin isn't too expensive for a Pro Bowl safety (2.2mil) and both have played as nickel corners.

SS: Gotta have Bob. Sanders costs 6.13mil, but is an All Pro lock and DPOY threat when he makes it through a season healthy. I'll back him up with a starting caliber safety and dynamite special teamer making the slightest bit above the veteran minimum (462K) Melvin Bullitt

K: Kris Brown has nearly the leg of Bironas (my choice when money was no object), and makes half as much (1.35mil)

P: 1.25mil for Matt Turk isn't too much ... I guess.

RET: T.J. Rushing (535K) with Chris Carr out of the division, André Davis' price tag over 4 million and the Jags return games more than a TD below average with Brian Witherspoon having taken over returning from MJD, T.J. is the best bet, even with last year a lost season due to a knee injury.

Total Cap Cost: 124mil (09 cap is 128)

Thanks to Tim at BattleRedBlog for tips on a few cheap useful Texans.

State of the Tennessee Titans Roster: Defensive End

Jimmy — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 16:30:49 -0000

More photos » by Mark Humphrey - AP

Boom King has really big arms. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

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The biggest question surrounding the defensive end position is Kyle Vanden Bosch's health. The Titans defense needs Boom King to return to 2007 form with the loss of Albert Haynesworth. I have little doubt that he will be ready to go when the season starts next season, especially seeing how he gutted it out to try and get back on the field last season.

Jevon Kearse was one of the biggest surprises in 2008. His numbers don't jump off the page at you, but he played in all 16 games and actually held his own against the run. He didn't do either of those things when he was here before. Kearse is not The Freak that we saw when he broke into the league, but he is a solid rotation guy that should have a good influence on the younger guys.

Dave Ball is another guy that Jim Washburn was able to turn into a solid contributor. Wash even said this offseason that Ball was at the top of the depth chart. Ball leads a group of solid reserves that includes Jacob Ford and William Hayes. Ford had a break out season last year with 7 sacks in limited playing time, but interestingly enough, he is currently listed behind Hayes on the depth chart.

This is a pretty solid and deep group that can be great if KVB is healthy and the Kearse/Hayes/Ford side of the line can continue to show the improvement they showed last season.

The Titans Five Biggest Defensive Questions Heading Into 2009

Jimmy — Fri, 01 May 2009 19:20:46 -0000

More photos » by Alex Brandon - AP

Who you think gonna replace me?(AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

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Now that free agency and the draft have ended, we can start to take a look at the 2009 version of the Tennessee Titans. Today we will look at the five biggest defensive questions for 2009.

1. How will the rotation replace the loss of Albert Haynesworth?

No one player is going to be expected to replace Albert. It will be done by the rotation. The question is how good is the rotation?

They know what they have in Tony Brown. He is a space eater that can get after the quarterback a little. Jason Jones excited us last year with his solid play early and stand-out game against the Towel Boys. He played defensive end in college so he is more of a pass rusher. Sen'Derrick Marks is probably the most athletic of the bunch and should be able to get after the passer. Jovan Haye is the wild card. He had 6 sacks in 2007 but 0 in 2008. Let's hope we get the '07 version. Kevin Vickerson, at the back end of the rotation, is a space eater that seemed to make huge strides last season (minus the performance enhancing drug suspension).

Obviously the Titans are hoping for the whole to be greater than the sum of the parts. The odds are it will be with Jim Washburn guiding the ship.

2. Who will step up to be the #3 corner?

Most of us would have liked the Titans to take a corner before the end of the 3rd round in this draft after losing so many corners in the offseason. They didn't, so that leaves a huge question in my mind. The Titans did sign DeMarcus Faggins in the offseason, and he is a nice player for depth purposes, but I am not going to feel really good if he has to be on the field for any extended period of time.

They obviously saw a lot of potential in Ryan Mouton, but he appears to be a project at best. I doubt he will be ready to step in and play if Cortland Finnegan or Nick Harper go down.

Cary Williams? Jason McCourty? That just isn't change I can believe in yet.

3. How much different will the defensive scheme look with Chuck Cecil at the helm?

The honest answer here is no one really knows. Jim Schwartz took a very statistical approach to the scheme (Think Moneyball meets the NFL). There weren't a lot of "risky" blitzes, and the secondary sat in zone coverage for the most part. I expect things to be different with Cecil calling the shots. We all know he played hard nosed football 100% of the time, so I just don't see him sitting around waiting for the other team to make a mistake like Schwartzy did. Of course we won't know how he will call games until they take the field at Towel Boy Stadium on opening night.

4. Is there a quality linebacker on the roster behind Keith Bulluck and David Thornton?

Bulluck will be 32 and Thornton will be 30 when the season starts, so the odds of both of them staying healthy for the whole season are not very good. (Not to mention the looming free agency for Bulluck) The Titans have not spent a high pick on a LB since they took Bulluck in the first round in 2000. This could be the year we find out if any of them are going to be quality NFL players.

5. Will the defensive ends hold up for the whole season?

Just as with the linebackers, the starting defensive ends on this team aren't getting any younger. Add to that the fact that Kyle Vanden Bosch missed most of last season with a groin injury and Jevon Kearse isn't exactly the Cal Ripken Jr. of football, and you can see why the depth question is important here. The front office obviously felt good about the sport since they didn't spend a draft pick on an end for the first time since the Lincoln Administration. It is easy to see why the would be comfortable with the depth when you look at the production they got from Dave Ball and Jacob Ford last season. Combine that with the portential they see in William Hayes, and they seem pretty set. The question then becomes how well those depth guys would play in expanded roles.

Tennessee Titans Morning Links: Contract Years All Around Edition

August West — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 14:45:53 -0000

It's easy to focus on a few of the big decisions that were made regarding free agency this year, but next year will be the year when things get crazy unless some of these contracts get reworked this off-season:

The defense is where the Titans will have the toughest decisions to make, as those up for free agency include linebackers Keith Bulluck and Stephen Tulloch, defensive ends Kyle Vanden Bosch, Jevon Kearse and Dave Ball, defensive tackle Tony Brown and cornerback Nick Harper.

On offense, those at the end of their deals include center Kevin Mawae, guard Eugene Amano, tight ends Alge Crumpler, Scaife and second-team running back LenDale White. Long snapper Ken Amato can also be a free agent after ’09.

For those counting, that is six of the current 11 defensive starters, plus one of the top backups in the defensive line rotation.

And if Vince doesn't reclaim his starting job, you can add him into the mix as well...

Coincidentally, Jim Wyatt has a good read on Vince Young's dedication to doing whatever it takes to get his starting job back:

In fact, [Vince's agent] Major Adams said when the Titans re-signed Kerry Collins — essentially committing to him as the starting quarterback this fall — it only made Young that much hungrier to win back his old job.

"That decision has no bearing on Vince's thinking,'' Adams said Wednesday. "He is just trying to get himself together, not worrying about what they are doing with Kerry. That doesn't matter to him.

"Vince is not upset. He is not asking for a trade or anything. He loves the organization, loves (Titans owner) Bud Adams, and he wants to be in Tennessee. But he still wants to play, and is approaching this offseason like he's going to.''

The Sporting News has a full-spread interview with Albert Haynesworth where he says his main focus is to grow his family name into 'something great like the Rockefellers'. Very noble Albert.

Chris Carr is visiting with the Patriots as former Jets CB/Return man Justin Miller comes to Nashville for an audition.

Here's a pretty thorough NFL Draft value chart that breaks prospects down by round.

Former Titans disappointment Ben Troupe is working-out with the Giants.

Every time you email me a link the football gods smile upon you, so if you have a link you'd like to submit for tomorrow's Morning Links email me at mcmaugustwest@gmail.com! (Be sure to include your commenting handle so I can give you semi-anonymous credit.)

Tennessee Titans Morning Links: Keep Ray Ray Out Of The Limelight Club As Well Edition

August West — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 14:54:38 -0000

Esquire.com writer Peter Schrager delivers a great column on the Titans-Ravens as the rivalry everyone is missing out on. Read the whole thing for a special comment on the a favorite moment in this rivalry from yours truly.

Loyal reader/commenter Superhorn posted this article on Vince Young in the comments for yesterday's linkage, but I wanted to put it up top because it's a very good read. Norm Chow takes up for VY even though he's in an even better position now to throw him under the bus if he wanted to...

Paul Kuharsky has a bevy of good Titans stories today, and here's a partial run-down: Boom King is raring to go, but Dave Ball will be out Saturday; Bo Scaife needs to re-emege from the slumber he's been in since early November and here's video of Haynesworth talking about 'coming out of hibernation' for the game Saturday.

Titans center Mawae is snapping left-handed in practice, but it still isn't looking good for Saturday.

Reason 1,345,654,122,000-b why I love Cortland Finnegan:

Cortland Finnegan put himself on the NFL map this season, earning his first Pro Bowl trip with a style of play noticed by players, coaches, officials and even the league office.

The Titans cornerback views that as a compliment, no matter the reason.

Even if it means he's become a marked man for receivers wanting to beat him (in more ways than one), referees having to penalize him (they flagged him five times for roughness) or the NFL imposing fines against him ($35,000 in December alone)...

"The fines? Listen, bro, I'm not mad about any of that. It all goes to charities anyway.''

He has to back-off of the 15-yarders, but you can't teach that level of intensity. He was just born with that fire. It's why he never takes a play off and wide receivers always want to brawl with him when they should be concentrating on their routes.

AND NOW AN EXERCISE IN READING THE WHOLE STORY BEFORE FREAKING OUT: About the only thing Steve McNair could do to ruin his legendary standing with most Titans fans is hold a pep-rally for the Ravens this weekend, and that's exactly what a Baltimore radio station is saying is going to happen Saturday at the Limelight club just a few blocks form LP Field. Keep in mind though that radio stations are known to fudge these kinds of things, and McNair's agent and manager deny that he would ever even consider such a thing:

"There's not a guy more loyal to the Titans than Steve McNair,'' Raymond White said of the former Titans quarterback."He has given his body, blood and bones to the Titans. He has given more body parts than anybody for the Titans. Steve isn't doing this. He is never going to host a pep rally for the opposing team. He is 100 percent Titans."

NFL.com senior writer Adam Schefter thinks the Ravens are extremely tired, and he makes a good argument:

Due to rescheduling its bye week from what was supposed to be Nov. 9 to Sept. 14, Baltimore now has played a whopping 17 straight weeks without a bye. It has taken its toll on the Ravens, too. They are a tired team.

Now, after a trying season in which the Ravens have been up to the challenge, they will have to play on a short week. Baltimore beat Miami in an AFC Wild Card Game. They now will be forced to travel to Tennessee to play a day earlier, Saturday. It is not going to be easy.

In possibly related news, Ravens superstar Ed Reed missed practice yesterday with a knee injury... lord a part of me hopes he's less than 100% Saturday.