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Tennessee Titans: What to expect from Mike Vrabel’s defense

By Cody Milholen

ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 03: Assistant coach, Mike Vrabel of the Houston Texans during a preseason game on September 3, 2015 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - SEPTEMBER 03: Assistant coach, Mike Vrabel of the Houston Texans during a preseason game on September 3, 2015 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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The Tennessee Titans hired a defensive mined head coach in Mike Vrabel, but how will the Tennessee Titans’ defense look? That’s what we’re going to discuss.

After only three interviews for their vacant head coaching job, the Tennessee Titans decided Mike Vrabel was their guy. Vrabel was most recently the defensive coordinator for the Houston Texans, but he’s also spent time as a linebackers coach for Ohio State, linebackers coach for the Texans, and as a linebacker in the league. Vrabel has spent time under some of the best coaches to ever coach in football whether it be as a player or coach. Some of these guys include: Bill Cowher, Bill Belichick, and Urban Meyer.

What stood out the most in Vrabel’s introductory press conference was how he explained his defense. “Front Multiplicity and consistent coverage”, but what exactly does that mean? Well, actually it means just that, but don’t take that to far. You’re not going to see Jurrell Casey line up at linebacker or anything like that. Think back to how the Houston Texans defense looked, and what players were asked to do.

Of course, you know JJ Watt lined up everywhere along the defensive line, but he wasn’t the only one to line up in multiple places on defense. Whitney Mercilus lined up on either side at outside linebacker, defensive linemen lined up in different spots along the defensive line, and Jadeveon Clwoney rushed the quarterback from multiple positions. Clowney has lined up as a linebacker, a hand in the dirt defensive end, and even the middle linebacker spot. But, what does all this mean for the Tennessee Titans.

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Who will shine

Jurrell Casey

Although Casey has been constantly disrupted over the last few seasons, he hasn’t put up those double digit sack totals he’s done that what feels like a life time ago. While Casey isn’t the athlete Watt is, I expect him to be used the same, and we all know he can be a game wrecker. Casey will be moved many different spots along the defensive line, and a lot of times he will be lined up across an offensive lineman who won’t be able to handle him.

Look back to the 2018 NFL Probowl, Casey played as an interior defensive lineman in a 4-3 defense. Casey played a big role in this Probowl and made a lot of plays. This is the same system the Titans ran back in the days Casey recorded those double sack seasons. In the system most recently ran by the Titans, Casey was constantly lined up across from the other team’s best pass blocker.

Wesley Woodyard

The Titans don’t currently have a “Queen Piece” on their roster, that is Jadeveon Clowney for the Houston Texans. But, Wesley Woodyard is the best fit to play this role. Woodyard is the most underrated player on an underrated team. In 2017 he had five sacks, eighty-one tackles, five passes defended, two fumble recoveries, and a touchdown. While he maybe on the tail-end of his career, for now the guy is balling out, and he should be a key component of Vrabel’s defense.

Kevin Dodd

No, I’m not saying Kevin Dodd is going to breakout into a superstar, but Vrabel could find ways for him to contribute. After spending a second-round pick on a guy you hate for him to be a healthy scratch week after week. Dodd had very little football experience when the Titans drafted him in 2016 out of Clemson. What experience and success he did have came from rushing as a hand in the dirt defensive end.

Under the previous regime it was rare the Titans edge rushers had the chance to rush from a hand in the dirt position. With Vrabel I fully expect more packages with the rushers starting with a hand in the dirt. Most consider Dodd to be a bust at this point, and rightfully so. This is Dodd’s last chance to prove himself as a member of the Titans.

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Mike Vrabel has an NSFW warning about one area Will Levis must improve
Mike Vrabel has an NSFW warning about one area Will Levis must improve /

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    • Who could struggle

    Derrick Morgan and Brian Orakpo

    Although, their play has slightly dipped from 2016 to 2017, both of these guys are still productive. However, they’re still one dimensional for the most part. They’re not asked to do much in the coverage aspect of the game, and hopefully it stays that. With the term “Multiplicity” being mentioned in the title it spell bad news if these guys are matched up in one-on-one situations against the other team’s running backs or tight ends.

    The secondary

    The Titans secondary stepped up in a big way in 2017. Second-year pro Kevin Byard led the league in interceptions and even went to the Probowl. Week in and week out we got to watch Adoree Jackson grow before our eyes. He seemed to get better each week. However, I’m expecting to see a lot of man coverage in the defense, and I’m not sure our guys are ready for that just yet.

    Be sure you leave us a comment and let us know what you’re expecting from the defense in 2018, and who you think will shine. 

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