Dec 18, 2011; Minneapolis, MN, USA; New Orleans Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams yells to his players during the game with the Minnesota Vikings at the Metrodome. The Saints win 42-20. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports

Jerry Gray and Gregg Williams are getting ready to transform this Tennessee Titans defense into one that will confuse, harass and aggressively try to dominate opponents.

Speaking at an appreciation dinner at Cumberland College on the 6th, Williams opened up and talked about his relationship with Gray, what he looks for in his defense and what the Titans will do this season. One thing I can say, get ready people, this defense is going to be humming.

For those worried about how Williams and Gray will get along, I say, don’t. Williams talked about it at the appreciation dinner, here’s what he had to say:

Via Titansonline:

Williams said he considers Gray his brother. The two have worked nine seasons together as coaches in different capacities, and Williams said they will work well together again.

“The most fun he’s had coaching is when he’s worked with me, and, quite frankly, the most fun I’ve had coaching has been when I’ve worked with him,” Williams said.

Williams also spoke about the importance of building the defense and having good corners so they can confuse and harass offenses.

Williams said he thinks it’s important to build a defense with cornerbacks because they can enable teammates to do more on each play. The Titans have discussed the desire to play more “press” man coverage this season and drafted cornerbacks Blidi Wreh-Wilson and Khalid Wooten to add bigger players at the position.

“When we have corners that can play like (McCourty), now watch how crazy we play everywhere else,” Williams said. “The way that he plays the position gives us a chance to trick (the opponent) or hide someone else that’s not as good as him.”

Many players have talked about the defense being more aggressive and dictating what they do to the offense instead of sitting back and playing in a more read and react way. What exactly does this mean?

For one, you will see much more of the 3-2-6, The Ruby package as it was called last year. It’s multi-dimensional and perfect for showing many different looks. This defense will have more pre-snap movement than defenses you have seen in the past. Pre-snap movement could come from the D-line shifting, LBs shifting and crowding the line or dropping into what looks like coverage , and of course DBs shifting to play press, dropping to a zone look, and Safeties flying into the box and giving the look that they are blitzing. Then, right before the ball is snapped they shift back causing the QB to have to switch from his initial read to his second or even third option.

This defense will play downhill and will put players into a position to make plays, confuse offenses, and harass QBs. Will it blitz constantly? Absolutely not, while you will see many different changes from last year you will also see a defense that will have to, at times play conservatively. Today’s offenses are too good to be a one trick pony on defense.

Of course, we also have to hope that the players we have in the secondary can play press coverage consistently. If not, there will simply be calls that can’t be made on defense for fear of constant breakdowns. Personally, I think they’ll be fine, but we’ll see.

I look forward to following up this article with a few more that will better illustrate the nuances of a Gregg Williams defense.

What say you?

Shawn Eagle

You can follow me on twitter @RS1Eagle

Oct 28, 2012; Nashville, TN, USA; The Indianapolis Colts offensive and the Tennessee Titans defensive await play to resume in a time out during the second half at LP Field. The Colts beat the Titans 19-13 in overtime. Mandatory credit: Don McPeak-USA TODAY Sports

It’s no secret that the team performed poorly on both sides of the ball in their 2012 campaign, but the defense did rank much lower than the offense, along with allowing a franchise record 471 points.  Outside of bringing in safeties George Wilson and Bernard Pollard, along with mammoth defensive lineman Sammie Lee Hill, the Titans have done little to address the defensive side of the ball.

It was widely assumed that the rest of the defensive personnel needs would be met through the draft.  With the 10th and 40th pick in the draft, not to mention a bevy of other picks to move around with, the Titans had a great opportunity to get a top rated defensive lineman as well as corner or safety.  Instead they elected to continue and upgrade the offense and picked guard and wide receiver with their first two selections.

Let’s go back in time and look at an even bigger surprise when defensive coordinator Jerry Gray was able to keep his job.  With Chris Palmer losing his job mid season, it was widely speculated that Gray would lose his job once the season was over.  Head coach Mike Munchak made a point of saying that there would be no replacements anywhere on the staff unless there was a better option available.  Apparently they never found one.  Gray can’t be blamed for blown assignments and missed tackles, but he can be blamed for a lot of the play calling and for misplacing players (Michael Griffin).

The Titans have lately brought in defensive end free agents Israel Idonije and John Abraham along with cornerback Jason Allen.  While they are still looking to upgrade at any spot possible, the bulk of their personnel moves are done with.

Mandatory Credit: Matt Stamey-USA TODAY Sports

When the Titans elected to retain Gray, it sent a message that the problem resided on the personnel side of the defense and less on the coaching.  Now the Titans have followed that up with a relative lack of attention to the players on that side of the ball.  So which is it?  Coaches or players?  What’s the fix?

Enter Gregg Williams.

The amount of control that Williams will have over the defensive is yet to be seen.  Jerry Gray will still be calling the plays, but it’s my assumption that Gregg Williams will have a lot more say in what those plays are to begin with.  His presence and comments in the meeting rooms and on the sideline will go a long way as well.

Let’s remember, this isn’t a defense that just needed a little tweaking.  They set a franchise record in points allowed.  And outside of George Wilson and Bernard Pollard, it seems the Titans believe Gregg Williams is the fix.

For Titans articles and chat, you can find me on Twitter @gunnelsj

With all of the excitement swirling around the upcoming draft, the Titans found excitement in finally being able to work with Gregg Williams in his new role, Senior Assistant Defense.

Williams is returning to the Titans after serving a one year suspension for his role in “Bounty Gate” while he coached in New Orleans. Williams will also be reunited with Jerry Gray who he has worked with in Buffalo and Washington.

Kamerion Wimbley spoke about his new coach to the Tennessean, “He brought great energy to this first meeting, so I can tell there will be a lot of that and I think that will be good for us,” Wimbley said. “He has high expectations. He is coming in here, he wants to win and everybody here wants to produce. He has been around and been successful at the places he’s been at, and we feel like having him here will definitely help us get going in the right direction.”

Although there were concerns about the possibility of players not respecting him due to his actions while with the Saints, cornerback Jacon McCourty seemed ready to get behind his new coach, “His résumé speaks for itself. I think as a defense we’re excited to learn from him,” cornerback Jason McCourty said of Williams. “The combination of him and Coach Gray, with their mind-sets and as much knowledge as they know about defense, it should definitely give us an edge this year.”

“For us as players, this is football. No one is concerned about what went on in New Orleans. Whatever went on, there was a punishment behind it.”

I’m sure the players also look forward to a more bend but don’t break defense, one that will emphasize more man-to-man coverage and more blitzing.

The draft starts in two days and I’m sure the Titans will get a few more weapons for the defense. I guess now, we just have to wonder when and who.

What say you?

Shawn Eagle

You can follow me on twitter @RS1Eagle