This is why you must have ELITE Linebackers...

I gave you an it sucks because you got it backwards. In a 4-3 defense you want the line to be able to control the line of scrimmage, stop the run and keep blockers off the backers. That way the linebackers can run sideline to sideline and make plays.

There is plenty of blame to go around and the linebackers have failed as well as everybody else but if you had elite players up front the linebackers wouldn't have to be. The D-line is the most important part of a 4-3 defense.

I also think that our D-line techniques(Wider one gap aggressive up the field) in the Fisher era made it easier for a guy like Tulloch to run sideline to sideline and make plays while the technique we play now makes it harder.

 

If our DL is "overcommitting" to the run, how come we are still getting run over??

I agree with RollTide, the problem starts up front. I hate to call out guys, but Shaun Smith in particular has struck me as completely useless, Sen'Derrick Marks to a lesser degree as well. I don't notice our ends playing badly, but that's because I don't notice them at all, they might as well not be on the field...

As for Ruud, everybody knew before the signing that he isn't as good against the run as Tulloch, but he's better in coverage. Yet he is still 2nd on the team in tackles and has almost as many as Witherspoon and Ayers combined...

 

They are not rollouts they are play action bootlegs and the DE is responsible to maintain contain in any defense. The linebacker should be covering somebody like the TE who was open all day against us not chasing the QB except on a blitz. The TE is usually the primary receiver on those plays coming across the field.

Our DEs especially Morgan is horrible in contain.

 

Look back on any season where the Titans had a really good defense. They had a really good line.

In 99-2000 Kearse was a force and we had other good linemen like Thornton and Holmes.

In 2002-2003 we had Kevin Carter-Kearse-Robaire Smith and Haynesworth.

In 2007-2008 we had AH playing out of his mind with KVB.


When our D-line is good the whole defense is usually good. Of course you have to have good players at every level but our defense needs to get better up front.

 

I haven't seen Ruud win one battle with a TE this year or anyone he's had to open-field cover. In run support he gets caught up too easily inside and often takes the wrong line. Peter Sirmon ( circa end-of-career ) Lite and is a liability.

Over Tulloch - really ? Go watch some Detroit games this year. His open field match-up record is still iffy but his leadership and hitting ability in run support has been unquestionable.

 

what do you guys think of starting klug at dt over smith? anytime he has been in i have personally been impressed...then rotate smith and marks in as needed but starting klug over smith and i was one that always wanted us to bring back tully from the beginning...i also thought we should of taken carlos dunlap who has been a beast so far in his career over morgan but DE was a need so i couldnt really complain as we fit the need just not who i wanted exactly