Pitoitua cleans up the trash

Discussion in 'Tennessee Titans and NFL Talk' started by Titans Insider, Sep 12, 2013.

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  1. Titans Insider

    Titans Insider Titans News

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    Titans defensive end Ropati Pitoitua was only on the field for 19 snaps during last week’s win over Pittsburgh, but he certainly made the most of his time.

    The 6-8, 298-pounder, signed by the Titans during the offseason, led defensive linemen with five tackles.

    It wasn’t only Pitoitua’s tackle numbers, however, that impressed Titans defensive coordinator Jerry Gray. Gray was just as enthusiastic about how Pitoitua cleared the way for Titans linebackers to make tackles.

    “We talk about some guys – and (Pitoitua) is one of them – that we say is a trashman,” Gray said. “Somebody’s got to clean up and he’s been doing that. When we first got here, we didn’t have a lot of those guys.

    “I know that sacks and that type of thing are always getting tossed around, but then what happens is that guys think in order to be good football players, you have to get that. I value a guy who does dirty work and you need that as a football team.”

    Gray compared Pitoitua’s efforts to that of a point guard in basketball.

    “When the linebacker is making eight tackles and he lines up behind you, then you made eight assists,” Gray said. “That’s what they give you in basketball, so that’s what we gotta’ do in football. (Pitoitua) gets a lot of assists from me.”

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    Source: Titans Insider
     
  2. JCBRAVE

    JCBRAVE goTitans 2019 Survivor Champion

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    I think this guy is going to make our team so much better. As a base down DE, he only played 19 plays in Pittsburgh, but every time he was in, he was making his presence well known. Pitoitua finished the day with 4 tackles, which for 19 plays is pretty impressive.
    And at 6'8 298 he's a load to deal with, and he moves well for his size. Im happy to see him playing so well cause in the preseason he looked slow, clearly he was holding back like most vets do in August.
     
  3. Clark

    Clark #ShoutboxAlley4Life

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    I want to say he got the pass deflection as well. At least that's who I credited it to. Anyone know for sure?
     
  4. Thaddeus43

    Thaddeus43 Sunshiner President

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    Yeah. Pretty sure hr deflected one
     
  5. ImATitan

    ImATitan Pro Bowler

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    Wow only 19 plays? That's impressive considering I feel like I noticed him a lot.
     
  6. CalgaryTitansFan

    CalgaryTitansFan Pro Bowler

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    Any improvement to the DL is great for the team. We're going to need to win the trench battles on both sides of the ball to have a chance at the playoffs this year.
     
  7. JCBRAVE

    JCBRAVE goTitans 2019 Survivor Champion

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    I think Sammie Hill was the one who swatted it down, he did it a lot in the preseason.
     
  8. 2ToneBlueBlood

    2ToneBlueBlood Pro Bowler

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    I thought it was Ropati that batted it down too. He's a beast! He was at the Munchak radio show in Brentwood on Tuesday, I didn't get to go but they were talking about how everyone was amazed at how huge he was!
     
  9. xpmar9x

    xpmar9x The Real Slim Shady

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    Sounds like Pito needs some more PT.
     
  10. Clark

    Clark #ShoutboxAlley4Life

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    I just went and checked the play. Morgan batted that ish down.
     
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