Gray expects Cardinals to test Robert Johnson

Titans safety Robert Johnson may not have had much of an opportunity to show his pass-defense skills in last Friday’s win over Tampa Bay, but defensive coordinator Jerry Gray is expecting him to get more action on Thursday.

Johnson made his first preseason start against the Buccaneers, and with starting safety Jordan Babineaux still dealing with shoulder soreness, Johnson may well get a second straight start against Arizona.

The Cardinals have only averaged 138 yards per game through the air in their first three preseason contests (Arizona played in the Hall of Fame game). But with All-Pro wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald on the roster, as well as a couple of big, talented rookies in Michael Floyd and LaRon Byrd, Arizona certainly has the potential to attack an opposing secondary.

Tampa Bay’s longest downfield completion against the Titans was just eight yards.

“You didn’t see (Johnson) contend any passes (against Tampa), but he was where he was supposed to be,” Gray said. “I don’t think this week is going to be that problem because (the Cardinals) have a vertical passing game. They’re going to throw the ball up there and see if he can go get it.

“I have a firm belief that if the ball goes his way, he’s going to be there to come down with it. I’ve seen him do it in practice numerous times, and if you do it in practice, you do it in a game.”

Gray said he’s confident in the safety depth behind Michael Griffin and Babineaux, which includes Johnson, Aaron Francisco and Al Afalava.

“I like the three guys that we have,” Gray said. “Robert Johnson has done a lot of good stuff. He’s long, he’s rangy and he can go get the ball out of the air. Francisco … is a guy who played in the Super Bowl, so he understands how to do that.

“Al is a physical safety. He’s going to come up and hit you. The hit he put on (LeGarrette) Blount … Most guys don’t want to run into a guy like that and he had no qualms about it.”

Source: Titans Insider