Tennessee Titans: Behind enemy lines with Black and Teal

It’s time to go behind enemy lines prior to the Thursday night tilt between the Tennessee Titans and Jacksonville Jaguars.

We’re going behind enemy lines with the Jacksonville Jaguars site Black & Teal to get some more information on the team the Tennessee Titans will be facing on Thursday night.

We asked our good friend David Levin over at Black & Teal five questions to get some more insight about the Jaguars from an outlet that covers the team closely. They do a great job over there, so if you want more Jags information, that’s the place to go.

Here’s the Q&A we had with Levin.

Q. Titan Sized: Does Jalen Ramsey’s trade demand have to do solely with the sideline spat he had with Doug Marrone, or is there more to it?

A. David Levin: As I wrote about the topic on Wednesday, it was part of the situation. There could be more things that led up to this moment. We can only speculate all of the reasons why Ramsey has asked to leave Jacksonville.

Money, because he has not been offered a new contract as of yet. His displeasure with the coaching staff and how he is being used on the field. Management for not paying him what he feels he deserves. Not getting deals done for his teammates. There could be others.

Q. TS: Do you have faith that Gardner Minshew can keep the Jags afloat until Nick Foles returns?

A. Levin: Actually yes. There are cerebral things Minshew does that will pay off. He is mobile. He read defenses well. He is quick to think. He also has the command of the huddle. He is a coach on the field.

Minshew is what this town has wanted – an accurate quarterback with some swagger. If the running game gets going, meaning Leonard Fournette starts to run over defenders, Minshew’s job will that much easier until he gives up the captain’s chair to Foles.

Q. TS: How close is this defense to the 2017 version that was so dominant?

A. Levin: Ooh. This unit is good, but it’s not the same, especially if Ramsey leaves. A.J, Bouye is not the same player. I think the team missed Paul Posluszny and Telvin Smith more than the organization lets on. The Jaguars lost their swagger last season.

They only used four pass rushers on most occasions in 2017. Teams figured out the scheme. They were exposed over the middle as well. For this defense to be that good in 2019, Josh Allen and Yannick Ngakoue must approach 13 sacks each.

Q. TS: Which Jaguars player should the Titans fear the most?

A. Levin: Josh Allen. I think the rookie pass rusher is straight money. He will, if given the chance, cause Marcus Mariota headaches. He is a hybrid pass rusher who can also drop back in coverage.

The defensive coaches have worked to figure out a way to get Allen, Ngakoue and Calais Campbell on the field at the same time.

He reminds me of Jevon Kearse a bit.

Q. TS: The Jaguars win Thursday night if…

A. Levin: They stop the run but also establish their own run game. The Jaguars must minimize penalties and take chances down the field to open the run lanes.

Jacksonville must get off the field on third down and need a strong performance from the offensive line.