Tennessee Titans: Vote of Confidence for Ray Horton

Jul 26, 2013; Berea, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns defensive coordinator Ray Horton watches his defense during training camp at the Cleveland Browns Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Ron Schwane-USA TODAY Sports

The football season winds down as we approach what is sure to be a great Super Bowl match up between the  Seattle Seahawks and Denver Broncos.

The Tennessee Titans have spent nearly the last two weeks completely shaking up the coaching staff. We now get to watch the Ken Whisenhunt era in Nashville begin. Whisenhunt was a big-splash signing, more like a steal from the Detroit Lions, but the hiring of Ray Horton at defensive coordinator really made me happy. I think that the Cleveland Browns have, once again, made a huge mistake by letting go of a full coaching staff after only having them for less than one calendar year.

The Browns defense was fierce this year. Horton definitely made an impact on this team. They are in arguably the toughest division in the NFL, the AFC North. They face a tough challenge six times a year just within their division having to face the Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, and Pittsburgh Steelers.

I think the addition of Horton was an excellent move, especially after defensive assistant Gregg Williams wasn’t promoted to DC. This hire redeemed them from that.

I can vouch for Horton and give him a vote of confidence because I live near Cleveland and the Browns are the locally televised football team. I invest into the NFL Sunday Ticket each year in order to watch Titans football. I watched about eight Browns football games this past season and while their games aren’t the most fun to watch, for obvious reasons, their defense is intense, hard hitting, and scrappy.

The Titans started to find that identity this past season and I think Bernard Pollard deserves a lot of credit for that. Re-signing Pollard should be a MUST and top-tier priority for the front office. The combination of Pollard and new DC Horton could really turn the page for our defense.

I also think and feel that Horton will come in and strongly recommend the Titans re-sign CB Alterraun Verner. Verner truly emerged this past season as a top playmaking corner. He is still young and has a lot of potential to continue his growth and development. I feel that Horton can help develop Verner into our version of Browns defensive back Joe Haden.

As we start to shift from coaching staff decisions, we are creeping upon roster moves which is the most exciting and nervous time of the offseason. The future of many good Titans players is on the line. I know not all players can be retained and re-signed, but I really hope Verner and Pollard are top tier priorities.