Nov 25, 2012; Jacksonville FL, USA; Tennessee Titans linebacker Zach Brown (55) sacks Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Chad Henne (7) in the first quarter of their game at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Phil Sears-USA TODAY Sports

If there’s only one positive thing to take away from the Tennessee Titans 2012 season, it’s that they were able to go from 2nd worst in the league in sacks to tied for 9th best. For a little bit of perspective, their 39 sacks was one sack better than the San Francisco 49ers and two sacks better than the Baltimore Ravens.

While the Titans didn’t get the sack numbers from their DE’s that they’d like to get, their linebackers were able to step up and found great success at getting to the QB, specifically rookie OLB Zach Brown and 2nd year OLB Akeem Ayers.

There was plenty wrong with the Titans defense this year, but towards the end it felt like they were finally starting to find some sort of a rhythm, though the Green Bay game certainly seemed to say the opposite. It seems that Jerry Gray will have another shot at turning this defense into the impressive machine you’d think it was capable of being.

Hopefully a strong draft and some good free agency moves will help Gray get whatever pieces his scheme is missing and the Titans defense starts to resemble the one that was a terror in the NFL for so long.

In my eyes, it’s close. The addition of a good SS and possibly another fast CB, as well as a good DE to throw into rotation with Derrick Morgan and Kamerion Wimbley could have this defense firing on all cylinders. Well, that and a healthy Colin McCarthy. He seems to be the glue that holds the center of the defense together.

To beat a dead horse, only time will tell. At least I can point at the sack numbers as a marked improvement.

You can find me on Twitter @JustinLStewart

Derrick Morgan: Destined for freak-ishness? (YardBarker)

COLLEGE YEARS

Kearse played three years at the University of Florida.  In that time he totaled 145 total tackles, 34.5 tackles for loss, 16.5 sacks, 6 forced fumbles, 1 interception, and 1 fumble recovery.  He was named SEC Defensive Player of the Year in his junior year and was also an AP All-American.

Morgan played three years at Georgia Tech University.  In that time he totaled 112 tackles, 18 sacks, and 2 forced fumbles.  He was named ACC Defensive Player of the Year in his junior year and was also an AP All-American.

It’s very difficult to compare players from different decades and different conferences.  All we know so far is that they were both fantastic college players but it’s interesting to look at the statistics.  It’s also interesting to note they were both named the best defensive player in their respective conferences before both left school after their junior years.

Jevon Kearse: 'I'm sorry are you comparing someone to me?' (YardBarker)

PRE DRAFT

Kearse came to the NFL Pre-draft combine weighing 262 pounds.  He ran a 4.58 40-yard dash, a 4.24 second 20-yard shuttle, and had a vertical leap of 37 inches.

Morgan came to the NFL Pre-draft combine weighing 267 pounds.  He ran a 4.72 40-yard dash, a 4.43 second 20-yard shuttle, and had a vertical leap of 34 inches.

Upon first glance at these numbers it would appear that perhaps Morgan is not as freakish right now as Kearse was right before he got drafted.  On paper Morgan is a little heavier, a little slower, and and can’t jump as high.  Of course, we are comparing him to one of the most athletic defensive players in NFL history! I don’t think that any individual statistic on its own means a whole lot but looking at a couple of different NFL Combine categories is interesting.

NICK’S THOUGHTS

Okay okay okay.  So at this point in time Derrick Morgan might not be Jevon Kearse.  Who cares! Kearse is one of the best defensive ends of all-time.  We don’t need Morgan to be one of the best to ever play the position (although I wouldn’t hate it if that happened), we just need him to be GOOD.  If he were able to be good this year then even better.  The truth is, Morgan is going to be a very good addition to the Titans defense.  He is really tough and really athletic, things that I thought of myself as being until my high school defensive coordinator informed me with startling conviction that neither was in fact true.

JEVON KEARSE UPDATE

For any of you wondering what Jevon Kearse is up to these days I thought I would try and find out for you.  Let’s take a look at the photo below from Super Bowl weekend……well……huh……..how can I spin this?

Kearse: Clearly not afraid to still take on multiple opponents at once?? (YardBarker)