Big Zach Attack - Sharona's Shots on Defense - Titans vs Jaguars

As I mentioned in my blog on the Titans offense, head coach Mike Munchak relieved offensive coordinator Chris Palmer of his duties on Monday. He stated he was unlikely to make any further changes and I think that's true barring a serious meltdown on defense in the remaining games. However in truth, Munchak himself may not survive.

Does Jerry Gray survive the offseason? At one point I would have said no, but the Titans defense is playing better. Against the Jags, the Titans had 7 sacks for a loss of 40 yards. One can only view that as a positive even though ultimately the Titans lost this game. Jerry Gray does need to get his act together on his blitz packages as he keeps leaving a soft spot in the middle that opposing offenses keep exploiting.

Having said that, the Titans have been much better at getting pressure and getting takeaways. Alterraun Verner had an interception against the Jags created by pressure from Sen'Derrick Marks.

As I began preparing this blog, I promised myself I wouldn't make it about rookie linebacker Zach Brown, who is just playing phenomenally. As the tape continued to roll and I continued to watch, I ended up changing my mind. I mean why not? He deserves it for the hard work he has put in and the tremendous job he is doing as a rookie. So, welcome to my ode to how well he is playing.

Not only did Brown  have that sack, he led the Titans in tackles with 10 tackles including 1 tackle for a loss, 1.5 sacks, and 2 quarterback hits. Since taking over at OLB, the Titans have manned the middle of the field for the most part. One of the more impressive things about Brown, and Akeem Ayers as well, is their versatility. I note this in  my blog on the Colts game where I do a play by play on the last touchdown in regulation. Brown and Ayers interchange seamlessly at Sam and Will. This versatility has allowed the Titans to make great use of their speed and quickness. Brown has zoomed up the list of Titans defenders in terms of defensive stats.

Finally, I continue to be impressed with how instinctual a player Brown is in both coverage and run support. Despite pre-draft reports to the contrary, he does not shy away from contact and he isn't afraid to lay the smackdown. He is turning into exactly the type of impact player the Titans envisioned when they drafted him.

Another remarkable play here too.

I am excited to watch that guy develop and continue to be a playmaker for the Titans for years to come.

Final Notes:
The Titans defensive line played really well in terms of pressure; however, the defensive ends struggled mightily against the run. It was nice to see the team sack the Jaguars 7 times though. It is also nice to see Michael Griffin continue to improve as he added a sack of his own. One major downside I took away from this game is how much Colin McCarthy is struggling right now. He simply had a terrible game and at this point health has become a big issue.

Tennessee Defensive
	TACKLES				MISC
	TOT	SOLO	SACKS	TFL	PD	QB HTS	TD
Z. Brown	10	8	1.5	1	0	2	0
M. Griffin	6	6	1	1	0	2	0
J. Casey	4	4	1	1	0	1	0
A. Ayers	4	4	1	1	0	1	0
J. Babineaux	4	4	0	0	0	0	0
J. McCourty	4	3	0	0	0	0	0
C. Sensabaugh	3	3	0	0	0	0	0
C. McCarthy	2	2	0	0	0	0	0
D. Morgan	2	2	0	0	0	2	0
R. Mouton	2	2	0	0	0	0	0
S. Marks	2	2	0	0	1	1	0
K. Wimbley	2	1	1.5	1	0	2	0
K. Klug	1	1	1	1	0	1	0
K. Wright	1	1	0	0	0	0	0
R. Johnson	1	1	0	0	0	0	0
T. Shaw	1	1	0	0	0	0	0
J. Locker	1	1	0	0	0	0	0
A. Verner	1	1	0	0	2	0	0
T. Thompson	1	1	0	0	0	0	0
M. Martin	1	1	0	0	0	0	0
S. Solomon	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
Team	53	49	7	6	3	13	0

Play By Play Review Colts 4th Quarter TD Play

Here is the drive chart from the Colts touchdown drive in the 4th quarter. The Colts started at their own 20 yard line, ran 14 plays and went 80 yards for a touchdown that took 7:02 to run. The Colts do run one more offensive series in the 4th quarter but it is a short drive that does not lead to points.

1st and 10 at IND 20	A.Luck pass short left to R.Wayne to IND 30 for 10 yards (C.Sensabaugh).
1st and 10 at IND 30	D.Brown left end to IND 30 for no gain (A.Verner; J.Babineaux).
2nd and 10 at IND 30	(Shotgun) A.Luck pass short middle to D.Allen to IND 43 for 13 yards (Z.Brown) [K.Wimbley].
1st and 10 at IND 43	(No Huddle) D.Brown up the middle to IND 47 for 4 yards (C.McCarthy).
2nd and 6 at IND 47	(No Huddle, Shotgun) A.Luck pass short left to D.Avery to TEN 48 for 5 yards (M.Griffin).
3rd and 1 at TEN 48	(No Huddle) A.Luck up the middle to TEN 41 for 7 yards (C.McCarthy).
1st and 10 at TEN 41	PENALTY on IND-A.Luck, Delay of Game, 5 yards, enforced at TEN 41 - No Play.
1st and 15 at TEN 46	A.Luck pass short right to T.Hilton ran ob at TEN 32 for 14 yards [D.Morgan].
2nd and 1 at TEN 32	D.Brown up the middle to TEN 28 for 4 yards (S.Marks).
1st and 10 at TEN 28	A.Luck pass short right to W.Saunders to TEN 17 for 11 yards (C.McCarthy) [A.Ayers].
1st and 10 at TEN 17	A.Luck pass incomplete short middle to D.Brown.
2nd and 10 at TEN 17	A.Luck pass incomplete short middle to D.Avery.
3rd and 10 at TEN 17	(Shotgun) A.Luck pass short left to L.Brazill to TEN 8 for 9 yards (A.Verner).
4th and 1 at TEN 8	D.Carter up the middle to TEN 1 for 7 yards (M.Griffin).
1st and 1 at TEN 1	D.Carter up the middle for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.	12	13

On the first play from scrimmage the Titans are in their dime package.

Luck under center drops back short, steps in front of the pass rush, and then looks to his right. Reggie Wayne runs a short crossing route over the middle. McCarthy bites on the look to the right and runs that way.

This puts rookie Coty Sensabaugh one on one with Wayne, who comes in and trips him up but Wayne is able to get the first down.

The Colts now have the ball on their own 30 yard line with 10:08 left to play.

The next play is a run toward the left side of the Titans defense. The Titans are in their nickel package. Luck is under center.

The Colts run Donald Brown toward the left side of the Titans defense. Colin McCarthy sniffs out the play and Brown is pursued by McCarthy, Verner and  Babineaux. The play goes for no gain.

The Colts now have it 2 and 10 on their own 30 yard line with 9:42 to play.

The Titans are in their nickel package with LB's Zach Brown and Colin McCarthy on the field. Luck is in the shotgun formation.

Luck makes a great throw to DWayne Allen who is being covered by Brown and who has really good coverage. It's just a great play.

 That play goes for 13 yards and for the record the Titans were getting pressure on that play as well.

The Colts now have the ball on their own 43 yard line with 9:10 left to play.

The Colts go no huddle and the Titans are in their nickel package.

Luck under center hands off to Donald Brown who runs up the middle for a gain of 4 yards. He is met quickly by Colin McCarthy.

 It is now 2 and 6 with 8:38 left to play. The Colts have the ball on their own 47 yard line.

The Titans are in their nickel defense. The Colts go no huddle again.

Luck is in the shotgun

Luck fakes a handoff and throws a quick short pass left to Donnie Avery that is good for 5 yards.Micael Griffin makes the stop.

The Colts now have it 3rd and 1 on the Tennessee 48 yard line with 8:10 left to play.

The Titans are in their nickel package. Akeem Ayers hasn't been on the field yet this entire drive.

Luck runs a quarterback sneak on a play that is good for 7 yards. Initially it looks like the Titans have him stuffed but he is amazingly able to break free.

I don't care who you are that is just an amazing play by Luck. The Colts now have it 1 and 10 on the Tennessee 41 yard line with 7:48 left to play.

The Titans are in the nickel package showing blitz. Luck is under center.

Luck is called for a delay of game penalty. It is one of their few penalties as the Colts are only penalized 5 times for 45 yards.

 The Colts now have the ball 1and 15 on the Tennessee 46 yard line with 7:14 left to play.

The Titans are in their dime package and again show blitz. Luck is under center.

Luck gets the ball and the Titans are getting good pressure. Luck on playaction right fires off a quick pass to T.Y. Hilton for a gain of 14 yards. I talk about this pass in my full defensive blog. Jason McCourty has good coverage it's just a great play.

I really cannot fault McCourty for that play at all. He had good coverage Luck just threw the ball where Hilton had to come back and get it and he made a great play and kept his feet inbounds. What is even more amazing about that play is that Luck is under pressure and makes that throw even knowing he is going to get absolutely tagged by Derrick Morgan. Simply amazing.

The Colts now have the ball 2 and 1 on the Titans 32 yard line with  6:50 left to play.

The Titans are in their base defense with Ayers bask in at linebacker. This is Ayers first appearance on defense on this drive.

The Colts run Donald Brown up the middle for a gain of 4 yards. Sen'Derrick Marks makes the tackle. The Colts offensive line just gets a great push.

The Colts now have the ball 1 and 10 on the Tennessee 28 yard line with 6:11 left to play.

The Titans are in their base defense with linebackers McCarthy, Ayers and Brown on the field.

Luck under center drops back under pressure from Ayers and makes a great throw right side to his tight end Weslye Saunders.

Middle linebacker Colin McCarthy has the coverage and really it is excellent. I cannot find a way to fault his coverage.

Once again, Luck hangs in there under pressure knowing he is going to get hit and from both sides by Ayers and Wimbley, and he just makes a great play.

The Colts now have the ball 1 and 10 on the Tennessee 17 yard line with 5:29 left to play.

The Titans are in their base defense with linebackers McCarthy (MLB), Ayers (SLB) and Brown (WLB) on the field.

Luck under center tries a dumpoff over the middle to Donald Brown that goes incomplete.

The Colts now have the ball 2 and 10 on the 17 yard line with 4:59 left to play.

The Titans are in their base defense with McCarthy (MLB), Ayers (WLB) and Brown (SLB) on the field

Luck under center fires a throw over the middle to Donnie Avery who drops it.

It is now 3 and 10 on the 17 yard line with 4:54 left to play.

Not sure what defense the Titans are running as LB's McCarthy and Ayers are on the field but it appears the Titans only have 10 men on the field as there are only 2 defensive linemen. Luck is in the shotgun.

Luck drops back, under pressure....

and fires a pass right complete to rookie wide receiver LaVon Brazill.

The Titans stop him shy of the first down.

It is now 4 and 1 with 4:40 left to play. The Colts have the ball on the 8 yard line.

I'm not sure again what defense the Titans are running as it appears the Titans only have 10 men on the field again. Luck is under center.

Luck hands off to Delone Carter who runs up the middle.

Colts offensive lineman Mike McGlynn tackles and absolutely buries Jurrell Casey.

Sen'Derrick Marks gets shoved left and Colin McCarthy goes right trying to close the gap.

Reggie Wayne gets Derrick Morgan but I'm not sure Morgan didn't slip a bit.

With those guys out of the play, Carter shoots the gap and that leaves Michael Griffin to take him down and he does after a 7 yard gain.

The Colts now have it 1 and goal at the 1 yard line with 3:51 left to play.

The Titans are in their goal line defense. Luck is under center.

Saunders goes into motion

Carter goes up the middle behind the block and in for the touchdown

There you have it. With the exception of having only 10 men on the field, an inexcusable blunder Jerry Gray, I think the Titans defense played fairly well. Even more so when you consider they were down a man on two crucial plays. The Colts put together a methodical, well balanced drive and Luck was simply fantastic.I also want to say Ryan Mouton played a lot that series and I thought he did a good job.