Weapon of Mass Instruction
Watch my feet!
Honestly, they aren't that far away, really. Yes, you watch some of their game, see highlights, or look at the stat sheet and you think I've had too many eggnogs. Let's examine.
DLine -- DE / Vanden Bosch (probowl caliber/pbc, hereafter), DT / Haynesworth (pbc), Robaire Smith, Starks and even Tony Brown.
Linebackers -- Bulluck and Thornton are both pbc in my opinion. Excellent outside linebackers.
Secondary -- Pacman is already a top 3/top 5 CB, Chris Hope is a mad man at safety. Cortland Finnegan should probably be starting right now at CB but is a playmaker at nickel.
Now, for the problems:
-- CB opposite Pacman. Reynaldo Hill just can't cover NFL WR. He makes the rest of the D look much worse than it is. Kind of like putting 1 tablespoon of vinegar in a glass of Cakebread cabernet.
-- Middle LB. Sirmon is gone, wasn't a MLB anyway. The rookie, Tulloch (the guy that made Mario Williams look so good) is doing great, having 10+ tackle games, but does still make some rookie mistakes. I think he could be the solution, here, but a FA upgrade could help.
-- Safety, opposite Chris Hope. Lamont Thompson is a really good, nice guy. He just can't play safety at a top NFL level. See comments on Hill. Rookie Calvin Lowery from Penn St. is a major headknocker out there along with Vince Fuller, 2nd year out of VTech -- we just haven't been able to see what they can do yet. Upgrade is very likely.
-- DE opposite Vanden Bosch. KVB is getting triple teamed basically, therefore, severely limiting our pass rush. The subs we have in now are also undersized and not as effective vs the run, either.
If they solve those three positions (1 CB, 1 Safety, 1 DE) I fully believe that they'll be a pretty dominant defense.
Here's what I think they do:
1. With the money they'll have under the cap ($41 to $48 million in varying estimates -- this does not include the savings from when they dump Pillar (7.5mm)) I believe they'll sign whoever it is they feel to be the #1 CB in free agency. Asante Samuel, Clements, etc.
2. I believe they'll get the Safety OR DE in the draft with the #1 selection. Landry (LSU) or Nelson (FLA) would be my guess and I believe either would and could start right off the bat. If not, then DE Gaines Adams (Clemson) or Quentin Moses (GA). Whichever position it is that falls to them at their first pick, they'll address the other one via free agency.
My point is this: the vast core is very strong. 8/11 positions are top notch. We don't need a general upgrade, we need a very specific upgrade at 3 positions...and we have the money to do it, along with 11 draft picks.
I would expect the Titans to package some picks and move up to an extra day 1 pick or two and end up with just 5, maybe 6, draft picks out of their current 11 slots. Yes, WR will be address, though very unlikely with the first round pick.
DLine -- DE / Vanden Bosch (probowl caliber/pbc, hereafter), DT / Haynesworth (pbc), Robaire Smith, Starks and even Tony Brown.
Linebackers -- Bulluck and Thornton are both pbc in my opinion. Excellent outside linebackers.
Secondary -- Pacman is already a top 3/top 5 CB, Chris Hope is a mad man at safety. Cortland Finnegan should probably be starting right now at CB but is a playmaker at nickel.
Now, for the problems:
-- CB opposite Pacman. Reynaldo Hill just can't cover NFL WR. He makes the rest of the D look much worse than it is. Kind of like putting 1 tablespoon of vinegar in a glass of Cakebread cabernet.
-- Middle LB. Sirmon is gone, wasn't a MLB anyway. The rookie, Tulloch (the guy that made Mario Williams look so good) is doing great, having 10+ tackle games, but does still make some rookie mistakes. I think he could be the solution, here, but a FA upgrade could help.
-- Safety, opposite Chris Hope. Lamont Thompson is a really good, nice guy. He just can't play safety at a top NFL level. See comments on Hill. Rookie Calvin Lowery from Penn St. is a major headknocker out there along with Vince Fuller, 2nd year out of VTech -- we just haven't been able to see what they can do yet. Upgrade is very likely.
-- DE opposite Vanden Bosch. KVB is getting triple teamed basically, therefore, severely limiting our pass rush. The subs we have in now are also undersized and not as effective vs the run, either.
If they solve those three positions (1 CB, 1 Safety, 1 DE) I fully believe that they'll be a pretty dominant defense.
Here's what I think they do:
1. With the money they'll have under the cap ($41 to $48 million in varying estimates -- this does not include the savings from when they dump Pillar (7.5mm)) I believe they'll sign whoever it is they feel to be the #1 CB in free agency. Asante Samuel, Clements, etc.
2. I believe they'll get the Safety OR DE in the draft with the #1 selection. Landry (LSU) or Nelson (FLA) would be my guess and I believe either would and could start right off the bat. If not, then DE Gaines Adams (Clemson) or Quentin Moses (GA). Whichever position it is that falls to them at their first pick, they'll address the other one via free agency.
My point is this: the vast core is very strong. 8/11 positions are top notch. We don't need a general upgrade, we need a very specific upgrade at 3 positions...and we have the money to do it, along with 11 draft picks.
I would expect the Titans to package some picks and move up to an extra day 1 pick or two and end up with just 5, maybe 6, draft picks out of their current 11 slots. Yes, WR will be address, though very unlikely with the first round pick.