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Tennessee Titans need veterans to make plays vs Houston Texans

By Will Lomas

MIAMI, FL - SEPTEMBER 09: Ryan Tannehill #17 of the Miami Dolphins attempts a pass while Brian Orakpo #98 of the Tennessee Titans chases him in the third quarter during the game between the Miami Dolphins and the Tennessee Titans at Hard Rock Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - SEPTEMBER 09: Ryan Tannehill #17 of the Miami Dolphins attempts a pass while Brian Orakpo #98 of the Tennessee Titans chases him in the third quarter during the game between the Miami Dolphins and the Tennessee Titans at Hard Rock Stadium on September 9, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /
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It is time for Tennessee Titans vets to show up on the stat sheet.

The Tennessee Titans have several veterans on the team doing their jobs, but now they need them to do more.

Before we start this, understand that I know players have different roles on each play. Maybe Derrick Morgan isn’t supposed to be an upfield rusher on every play and that is why he isn’t getting any sacks or pressure.

I understand that, but there are several points in every game where a defensive player has a chance to make a big play that will impact the game. These are some fallacies that need to go away if we are going to have a productive conversation:

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-Jurrell Casey doesn’t get double teamed on every play

-Brian Orakpo isn’t getting a lot of (if any) special attention outside

-Derrick Morgan needs to do more than stop the run

Now that we have those things out of the way, let’s talk.

The players I just mentioned have a combined 4.5 sacks. That is a terrible number, especially when you consider that Casey has 3.5 of those sacks.

I have long said that the three stats that matter on defense are sacks, turnovers and points allowed and a friend of the podcast things I am probably being too inclusive:

This team needs to start being a team that makes plays instead of a team that just prevents things. While I love holding teams to low scores, it would be great if there were some sacks and turnovers mixed in as well.

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If you are honest with yourself, you know that the Titans lack excitement. Outside of brief glimpses from Harold Landry and Jayon Brown there is just no one in the front seven that wows you consistently.

For the Titans to turn into a playoff caliber team, that has to change and it has to change quickly.

Brian Orakpo, Derrick Morgan and Jurrell Casey are all good player, but they just aren’t making plays. Tennessee is paying those three players a combined $32.5 million this season, the desperately need them to come up big in a crucial game like the Monday night game against the Houston Texans.

You couldn’t as for more as a pass rusher this week. These three will come into the game pretty healthy, with a long week of practice, against one of the most skittish quarterbacks in the NFL, behind one of the worst OLs in football.

If there was ever a time to make big time plays it is now. The question is, can the Titans vets impose their will, or will it just be another letdown.

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