50 quick notes for Tennessee Titans vs Philadelphia Eagles preseason matchup
By Will Lomas
19-24 . Young Tennessee Titans defenders
19. Rashaan Evans usage
There has been a lot of talk about the Tennessee Titans pass rush needing to prove itself this year with veterans Derrick Morgan and Brian Orakpo now both retired.
While other names on this list can and should fill that role along with Cameron Wake, Rashaan Evans is going to be used at EDGE in some capacity. Will the Titans show that look tonight and what does it mean for the alignment of the rest of the defense?
Also, who comes out if that happens? Will they just take an EDGE out and go with the normal two defensive linemen and two EDGEs? Or will they kick someone like Sharif Finch inside and rush with a NASCAR-type package.
20. Adoree Jackson shadow?
Last year the Tennessee Titans experimented with using Jackson as a shadow corner against the New England Patriots and it largely worked.
For most of his career he has stayed on one side, I wonder if they try to get some real reps where Jackson shadows one of the Eagles receivers to see if the safeties respond well to that sort of change.
21. Harold Landry
Landry is going to be very good if not great in the NFL, his college stats, athleticism, rookie tape, and effort in the offseason all confirm that to me. Tonight will be the first time he has to go against a truly great offensive tackle from another team as the starter on defense.
Can Landry beat Jason Peters or Lane Johnson consistently tonight?
22. Sharif Finch
Finch absolutely should be the starter opposite Landry at EDGE. I don’t know why everyone seems to want Cameron Wake to start, but the situation is pretty clear to me that it would be best for everyone involved if Finch starts.
Even if Finch starts tonight, I think the more telling thing will be how long is he on the field? If he takes 20 more snaps than every other starter on defense, that means that he probably isn’t being viewed as a starter right now.
23. Any rookie standouts?
Amani Hooker, David Long, Derick Roberson, D’Andre Walker (if he plays), Braxton Hoyett, Isaiah Mack, etc. the list goes on and on of rookies that could have a big game, so keep an eye out for the numbers you don’t know. If they are rookies then they could be earning practice reps higher on the depth chart with a good game tonight.
24. Malcolm Butler
I thought I should end defensive thoughts with this. Malcolm Butler truly had a season of two-halves after getting crushed early on, only to bounce back and finish the season well.
Tennessee Titans fans are desperate for him to be at least above average. If he can do that then the defense will be even better in 2019 and it will give the Titans one of the best groups of DBs in the NFL.