Which Titan on Defense Will Step Up and Lead?

I addressed which Titan would step up on offense here Which Titan Will Step Up on Offense?. Now lets talk about which Titan will step up on defense. In my opinion, there are more likely candidates on this side of the ball than on offense. I'm not sure what that says about the Titans defense of 2012. Draw your own conclusions. I didn't really see anyone step up, in any major way at least, on the defensive side of the ball. So who are my prime choices? Here they are in alphabetical order.

Linebacker Akeem Ayers has really had two solid seasons since the Titans drafted him in the second round in 2011. Ayers has led the team in tackles since his rookie year, playing primarily at the linebacker position. A versatile young player, he can also line up as a pass rusher, and has 8 career sacks. He is an engaging guy with a great personality and seems a natural choice to be a leader on defense.

Rookie linebacker Zach Brown had an outstanding rookie campaign for the Titans. He was third on the team in tackles with 93 and added 5.5 sacks to boot. All this despite playing in limited packages until assuming the starting role in week 8. Need more evidence the rookie is poised to be a leader on this defense? Watch the last game of the season when he had a very serious coming out party. The team was lethargic and lifeless until Brown intercepted a Chad Henne pass late in the second quarter and returned it 79 yards for a pick six.

Jason McCourty is a guy I think the Titans need to step up especially in the defensive backfield. The Titans have sorely missed Chris Hope's leadership in that group, and while safety Michael Griffin has greatly improved in the leadership category, he has not proven to be the leader the Titans need in the secondary. McCourty had a very nice 2012 season and is poised in my opinion to be a really good cornerback in the National Football League. Can he step up and be a leader in the secondary? That is my only question about him.

Defensive end Derrick Morgan has finally recovered from the ACL injury he suffered in his rookie season in 2010. The 3rd year player had a very good 2012 season, leading the team in sacks with 6.5. Morgan carries a quiet confidence onto the field, doesn't talk much and came across as a guy who prefers to let his play speak on the field. Is Morgan capable of taking that demeanor and translating it into an effective leadership amongst his peers? I think he can.

Fellow defensive end Kamerion Wimbley is another good candidate to be a leader on the Titans defense. The Titans added the 7 year veteran in the 2011 offseason. Like Morgan, Wimbley projects a quiet business like confidence. Not to take anything away from any of the other defensive players, but Wimbley has a motor that never quits and while it took a while to adjust to his new role in the Titans defense, he finished the season with 6 sacks. He brings it every play and has exactly the kind of attitude this Titans defense needs.

Honorable Mentions:

I already mentioned Michael Griff and I would also add Jordan Babineaux to the list of possible candidates. Obviously, the problem is that safety was the weakest position on the Titans defense last season and neither guy is assured of a role in 2013. Still, both guys have shown leadership qualities.Sen'Derrick Marks is also a guy I think could step up and bring leadership qualities to the team. Unfortunately, he is a free agent and it is unclear whether he will return to the Titans in 2013.

Note:

I didn't put Colin McCarthy on this list simply because he has already been a leader on the defense. Unfortunately, his injuries have prevented him from being on the field and that void showed in the Titans defense last season.

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

Examining the Titans 2012 Draft Class

The Titans were on a bye in week 11 so I thought it would be interesting to look at how the 2012 draft class performed. Overall, I would say quite well and kudos to Ruston Webster and Lake Dawson on the good job they are doing in that department. Let's take a look individually:

1st Round (#20) WR Kendall Wright, Baylor

Has started from week 1 and currently leads all rookie wide receivers in targets. Has played 391 of 635 snaps and has 43 receptions for 390 yards with 4 touchdowns. He averages 9.6 yards per reception.

2nd Round (#52) OLB Zach Brown, North Carolina

Has played in every game his rookie season, 365 snaps out of 709, and assumed the starting role, primarily at WLB, by week 8. He currently has 55 tackles (6^th amongst Titans), 1 sack, 1 QB hit, 3 QB hurries, 1 forced fumble, 1 interception and 2 passes defended. 

3rd Round (#82) DT Mike Martin, Michigan

Has been in the rotation at defensive tackle from week 1 and has played 309 snaps out of 709. He currently has 28 tackles, 2 sacks, 6 QB hits, 10 QB hurries, and 3 tackles for losses. 

4th Round (#115) CB Coty Sensabaugh, Clemson

Has played since week 1 but not in every game. Has played 93 of 709 snaps and 26 tackles and 3 passes defended. He just recently took over the nickelback position. I wrote about him in my blog on the Miami game if you want a closer look.

5th Round (#145) TE Taylor Thompson, SMU

Has played every game since week 1 and his snap counts keep getting higher. I wrote about Thompson in great detail in my blog on Jared Cook and the Miami game. A terrific blocker he has played 134 snaps of 635. He only has 3 receptions for 19 yards but he has been instrumental in blocking.  

6^th Round (#190) FS Markelle Martin, Oklahoma State

Suffered a knee injury participating in drills following the senior bowl and has yet to play. Is currently on the PUP.

7^th Round (#211) DE Scott Solomon, Rice

Has played every game except week 5 against Minnesota and has played 130 out of 709 snaps. He has 3 tackles. 

After some pretty fantastic misses in the draft toward the end of the Fisher era in Tennessee, it is refreshing to see the Titans start to become better evaluators and the drafts become much more productive. Time will tell how well the Titans are able to hang onto "homegrown talent" as that has been a similar issue. 

Sharona's Shots from Titans vs Dolphins - Defense

The theme of my look at the Titans offense versus the Dolphins was the return of Jake Locker, and a similar theme carries into my look at the Titans defense. It's no secret Colin McCarthy is the leader of the defense and that his presence makes a huge difference. Since McCarthy suffered a high ankle sprain, he hasn't been the same and neither frankly  has the Titans defense. This was McCarthy's best game of the season, and the best game the Titans' defense has played all year. McCarthy played 41 of 60 snaps, had a beautiful pick six, 3 tackles, 2 stops, 1 pass defended and 1 tackle for a loss.

The defense set a tone early on in the game, and it was clear the unit was determined to redeem itself from what happened at home versus the Chicago Bears.Having lost the takeaway battle miserably against the Bears, the Titans came out of this game with 4 takeaways. It also had 4 3 and outs and generally made life miserable for Ryan Tannehill who threw 3 interceptions. Miami manages to score only 3 points.

That stop on 3rd and 1 on the first drive by Sen'Derrick Marks and company set the tone for the game.

The defensive line has been gradually coming on and I thought Sen'Derrick Marks had one of his best games of the season. He registered his first sack of the year and was around the ball all game. He played 43 of 60 snaps and was credited with 2 tackles (1 for no gain) and 1 tackle for a loss. He also had 1 quarterback hurry and 1 stop.

The sack was really nice to watch. Marks gets set and the center takes a peak at the formation and then looks back down. Marks then takes a peak at the offensive line and gets set again.

The ball is snapped and Marks gets off the ball quickly, blows past his block, and gets to Tannehill.

So pretty.

After struggling for a few games Mike Martin was active as well and had 1 quarterback hurry, 1 tackle for no gain, and 1 stop. This stop of Lamar Miller was really nice.

The defensive ends have played well for the past several games and that didn't change significantly. Derrick Morgan and Kam Wimbley got consistently good pressure on Tannehill. Newly acquired defensive end Jarius Wynn recorded his first sack of the year, and generally the ends played very well. Morgan lead the bunch with 3 tackles, 1 tackle for a loss, a pass defended and 1 quarterback hurry. 

In addition to the sack, Wynn recorded 2 tackles and 1 tackle for a loss.

I have already mentioned Colin McCarthy but I have to give some love to all 3 starting linebackers who had excellent games. Not to let McCarthy outdo them, Akeem Ayers and Zach Brown had interceptions of their own albeit not for a pick six. As a group they were simply outstanding and I cannot say enough how impressed I am with how well Zach Brown plays in coverage. I also want to give credit to the defensive coaching staff for starting to be creative with Ayers and Brown and allowing them to play to their strengths.

Ayers actually tips the pass that McCarty returns for a touchdown in addition to the interception of his own. He only plays 23 snaps but records a tackle and 2 passes defended.

Brown added an interception of his own that he returned for 47 yards. Tannehill saved a pick six by making the tackle on the play. Brown plays 51 of 60 snaps and is credited with 4 tackles, 1 pass defended

Derrick Morgan gets credited with this tackle for a loss but it is Zach Brown who makes this play on Reggie Bush on 2nd and 10 with 9:19 to go in the first quarter. To be fair, ProFootballFocus grades this as a missed tackle but if he doesn't trip Bush and slow him Morgan likely doesn't have a shot at the tackle.

Brown and McCarthy kept the middle pretty much locked down the entire game. Tight end Anthony Fasano recorded 1 reception for 4 yards which was well defended by Brown and was only targeted 3 times.

In my opinion the defensive backs are generally playing much tighter coverage and I think this makes a huge difference. Cornerback Jason McCourty returns to his playmaking ways by forcing a fumble on Miami's second offensive series of the game. He lead the team in tackles with a total of 9, and also had 1 pass defended.

McCourty did a very good job with Brian Hartline who is an excellent receiver.

Alterraun Verner is so quietly good I know he wanted badly to make this interception. He played 55 of 60 snaps and was credited with 3 tackles and 1 pass defended.

Rookie cornerback Coty Sensabaugh is going to be a playmaker for this Titans defense. In fact, he already is making plays and if he hasn't opened eyes he soon will. He has gradually assumed the nickelback position and is a mainstay in the Titans dime package. He played 27 of 60 snaps against the Dolphins, and quarterback Tannehill wasted no time in challenging him with very little success. Tannehill did manage to draw a pass interference on a call that I think was ticky tacky and could have gone either way. Sensabaugh plays tight coverage and isn't afraid to challenge the receiver.

He recorded 3 tackes and 2 passes defended. Keep an eye on the rookie from Kingsport, Tennessee as he continues to be a playmaker for the Titans.

The win against the Dolphins was a great team effort by the Titans and hopefully the momentum will continue when the team returns from its bye week to face the Jacksonville Jaguars.