William Hayes, TEN DE (1 Viewer)

[Rick Blaine]

With KVB moving on and Kearse approaching social security, what does everything think of William Hayes for this season?

Jene, do you see him a full-time, 3-down starter now? Or is he a career rotational player?

With the stout Tennessee defense, I'm trying to figure out where the sacks are going to come from now...

All opinions are appreciated.

 

[CaptainCrunch]

With KVB moving on and Kearse approaching social security, what does everything think of William Hayes for this season?Jene, do you see him a full-time, 3-down starter now? Or is he a career rotational player?With the stout Tennessee defense, I'm trying to figure out where the sacks are going to come from now...All opinions are appreciated.

I think Hayes is definitely a guy they will be looking to step up in 2010. He had 23 QB pressures last year and if he can convert some of those into sacks he can be a nice DE sleeper. I think they also are hoping Ford helps them out, but don't think he may be an every down guy. Not sure at this point if they are looking at any vets to acquire, but the market looks pretty thin now.

 

[Bri]

He was supposed to have a big 2009 but didn't. They (and everyone else) misjudged who did well just because Haynesworth was there and who would do well without.

I'm still not certain college DE Jason Jones is locked in as a DT.

They have plenty of line depth but now are sorely lacking a star. KVB wasn't but did get star's attention some weeks. Clearly they'll be anxious for a youngster to step up -and maybe it's Hayes, but my guess would be Jones.

 

[Larry Thomas]

He was supposed to have a big 2009 but didn't. They (and everyone else) misjudged who did well just because Haynesworth was there and who would do well without.

I'm still not certain college DE Jason Jones is locked in as a DT.

They have plenty of line depth but now are sorely lacking a star. KVB wasn't but did get star's attention some weeks. Clearly they'll be anxious for a youngster to step up -and maybe it's Hayes, but my guess would be Jones.

No question, difficult to replace an Albert Haynesworth.

The Titans led the league in pass attempts faced 37.7 per game, also led league in pass completions allowed 25.2 per game; this is a 66.8% completion rate.

What does this tell us? Well… either the pass rush stinks, coverage stinks, or a combination of both.

I didn’t get to see much of Tennessee last year, they we’re mid pack in terms of pressure applied. Off hand I’d say if they can improve their pass coverage, some of those pressures will turn into sacks.

 

[Jene Bramel]

He was supposed to have a big 2009 but didn't. They (and everyone else) misjudged who did well just because Haynesworth was there and who would do well without.

I'm still not certain college DE Jason Jones is locked in as a DT.

They have plenty of line depth but now are sorely lacking a star. KVB wasn't but did get star's attention some weeks. Clearly they'll be anxious for a youngster to step up -and maybe it's Hayes, but my guess would be Jones.

Have you seen something to suggest that they have plans for Jones outside? That would be interesting news for sure. I figured Babin would assume the last rotational role outside.
----------

He may not have had a big year statistically, but I don't think Hayes was disappointing. He was rightly brought along slowly as a high upside guy who had question marks due to his small school college competition. He took around 60% of the snaps for the season and managed 30 solos and four sacks. He forced two fumbles. ProFootballFocus credited him for a total of 36 sacks, hits and pressures, which would project to a well above-average number had he played 70-80% of the snaps.As you note, though, those numbers don't suggest that Hayes was anything special, though. Most of his pressure numbers were pressures. He gets to the quarterback, but didn't consistently close out the play. When his playing time increased during the second half of the season, his numbers dropped. Whether that was adjusting to the length of a full season or a decision to pace himself when taking 70+% of the snaps remains to be seen.

I'm going to take the more optimistic slant with Hayes as I'm an upside junky whenever possible. It often takes defensive line prospects, even those from highly regarded conferences, years to develop the strength and technique to thrive. I like the solid solo tackle output from a rotational player -- it suggests Hayes can more than hold his own at the point of attack. I like the pressure numbers. They suggest that his primary scouting report attribute -- quick first step and acceleration off the edge -- is translatable to the NFL. I think another offseason of technique and weight gain combined with a few more snaps a game has the potential to lead to a breakout season. I'm not ready to project him to double digit sacks yet, but I think 40-45 solos and 6-8 sacks is well within his reach.

 

[Bri]

He was supposed to have a big 2009 but didn't. They (and everyone else) misjudged who did well just because Haynesworth was there and who would do well without.

I'm still not certain college DE Jason Jones is locked in as a DT.

They have plenty of line depth but now are sorely lacking a star. KVB wasn't but did get star's attention some weeks. Clearly they'll be anxious for a youngster to step up -and maybe it's Hayes, but my guess would be Jones.

No question, difficult to replace an Albert Haynesworth.

The Titans led the league in pass attempts faced 37.7 per game, also led league in pass completions allowed 25.2 per game; this is a 66.8% completion rate.

What does this tell us? Well… either the pass rush stinks, coverage stinks, or a combination of both.

I didn’t get to see much of Tennessee last year, they we’re mid pack in terms of pressure applied. Off hand I’d say if they can improve their pass coverage, some of those pressures will turn into sacks.

Well, the Titans first half of the season(almost that long) was possibly the worst coverage ever. Made ya cringe to watch. Injuries had them starting or playing alot an undrafted rookie and a guy that was also a rookie CB that just wasn't ready. Opposing QBs salivated and the games were over in a matter of time. CJ running for 10k yards in one game was their only hope

 

[Bri]

When Jones was out, Fisher was asked a few times if he just wasn't big enough(weight) to play DT and would be better off outside. He dodged the Q but not well IMO.

That plus their DTs played surprisingly well without him. There's no pressing need to have him play out of position at DT anymore.

He was originally supposed to bounce around the DL while learning from KVB and Haynesworth. It wasn't DT exclusively til Haynesworth got hurt, then everyone penciled him in there.

He's only played 19? NFL games in two seasons yet probably has a sack in half them.

He has covered the TE from the DE spot (in one of those not really a zone blitz type schemes people call one) and done OK at it as well.

There's still plenty of DE hints even if Fisher won't say it, IMO.

 

[Bri]

They also lost Jevon Kearse Jene

 

[Jene Bramel]

When Jones was out, Fisher was asked a few times if he just wasn't big enough(weight) to play DT and would be better off outside. He dodged the Q but not well IMO.

That plus their DTs played surprisingly well without him. There's no pressing need to have him play out of position at DT anymore.

He was originally supposed to bounce around the DL while learning from KVB and Haynesworth. It wasn't DT exclusively til Haynesworth got hurt, then everyone penciled him in there.

He's only played 19? NFL games in two seasons yet probably has a sack in half them.

He has covered the TE from the DE spot (in one of those not really a zone blitz type schemes people call one) and done OK at it as well.

There's still plenty of DE hints even if Fisher won't say it, IMO.

Awesome. Thanks, Bri. I always thought of Jones as more of a Justin Tuck type than a Cory Redding type. It'd be interesting to see what he would do out there, even if it's for just a handful of snaps a game.

They also lost Jevon Kearse Jene

Addition by subtraction, Bri. Unless Babin flops, they still have four bodies to rotate right now, albeit nowhere near as deep and experienced as they've been in recent years. How highly do you think they'll look to add here during the draft?

 

[Bri]

How highly do you think they'll look to add here during the draft?

Well they are desperate for one CB but they're easier (and better) to get in free agency and trades than to find a good one in the draft. They are a very good team IMO.They're in a fortunate BPA position that I'd like to think is as close to a top player as they'll get for the next few years. 3rd DT? 2nd OT? Top WR? Top or 2nd best LB? It's not normal for them to be in this good of a spot. There isn't a ton of greatness after pick 7 so see what falls in their lap.The Titans always are ready willing and able to grab trench players. They always have and I don't see that changing. There was a dry spell but you can go back a real long time remembering some very good Titans OL and some DL. I believe their commitment to the trenches is an excellent idea that for some odd reason every NFL team doesn't do. Fisher has been discussing play makers a lot the last few years. When you are a good team, then you add play-makers like Chris Johnson and Kenny Britt. Don't forget Lendale and (supposedly then) Chris Henry RB afforded them the luxury to take a "just fast" RB that didn't have a prototype build. Kenny Britt was another play-maker they didn't need (in Fisher's mind) but his big plays would bring a huge impact when they occured. They also drafted a TE with the playmaker label not needing one with Alge and Scaife.I absolutely think they adjust and do that on defense-look for play makers. I love Perrish Cox because he's a nice cover corner and mr. excitement in the return game(a play maker). Top S Berry's a play maker. Some LB, DT or DE forcing fumbles and sacks....early on think big play for the Titans.Later, they go depth and usually hit the trenches. If not, then there's a slew of linemen signed as UDFA.Not "nobodies" either, they know their linemen. The Colts stole a gem prospect off their practice squad in January in Mitch King. He's smallish but seems well worth the trouble in trying to develop him:

King was selected to play in 2009 Senior Bowl after becoming the 60th player in Iowa football to record over 200 career tackles. He ranks 41st in career tackles with 228 career stops. In 2008 he was Big Ten Conference Defensive Lineman of the Year, First-team All-American by ESPN.com and Second-team All-American by Walter Camp Football Foundation, Associated Press and SI.Com as week as Third-team All-American by Rivals.com. He was a consensus First-team All-Big Ten In his year of honors he Started all 13 games at defensive tackle, recording 27 solo tackles and 27 assists, including 15.5 tackles for loss and four QB sacks. In 2007 he was named First-team All-Big Ten and named First-team All-Big Ten by Rivals.com. His stats were as follows: He made 58 (25 solo) tackles (14.5 for losses) and 4.5 sacks and 7 passed deflected and forced a fumble. 2006 King made 56 (21 solo) and as four of them went for losses. He also made 7 sacks and deflected 4 passes and forced three fumbles. 2005 he was First-team Freshman All-America 2005 after he totaled 60 tackles (36 solo) 60 11 tackles for a loss and two sacks, 3 passes deflected, 3 forced fumbles. In 2004 he redshirted.

 

[Larry Thomas]

Good stuff Bri