Tennessee Titans: Veteran Presence to Strengthen Secondary?

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

The Tennessee Titans were a mess last year.  A large part of their defensive struggle could perhaps be blamed on the fact that their defense was one of the youngest in the league. Two of the biggest players at the defensive tackle position, Mike Martin and Jurrell Casey, were first and second year players. By the end of the season, the Titans had one rookie LB starting and two 2nd year LB’s starting from the beginning of the year, though Colin McCarthy’s injury had him sidelined most of the year.

In the backfield, the Titans had Robert Johnson in rotation at safety – it was the first time he’d seen the field since he’d been drafted. At CB, rookie Coty Sensabaugh found himself going through trial by fire after he seemingly beat out Mouton and Campbell for the spot.

This year, the numbers should be more in the Titans favor.

All of the aforementioned players have another season under their belts and the Titans have brought in a couple of guys that should add a veteran presence that’s been missing on this defense.

Both safeties Bernard Pollard and George Wilson should be splitting time on the field this year, as well as calming down a secondary that was at best, erratic last year. The Titans may get the best value out of them if they are able to settle Michael Griffin back into his Pro Bowl form, a time when people considered him to be the next Ed Reed.

Adding Sammie Hill on the line should also help calm down the DT position, though not as much as the safeties should at their position.

Either way you look at it, this defense has gained some much needed age this offseason, as well as added some much needed talent to a struggling secondary.

Funny to think that a couple of the first few picks the Titans have in the 2013 NFL Draft could go to defense. Apparently the Titans are just a fountain of youth on that side of the ball, though you can’t say the offense is ancient either.

You can find me on Twitter @JustinLStewart