3 things we learned when Tennessee Titans called up Jeffery Simmons

Dean Pees shifting schemes?

Multiplicity. That is what we were told when Dean Pees was brought on the staff for the Tennessee Titans and he certainly hasn’t disappointed.

The defensive backs have been outstanding in coverage, not just after the ball is snap but before the snap when the QB is trying to read the defense and they know exactly how to disguise it.

At linebacker, the Titans have their starters for a long time if they want in Jayon Brown and Rashaan Evans who are both good blitzers but who bring different things to the table when the ball is being ran or thrown.

However, defensive line and EDGEs have been a slight point of contention for people that nitpick about whether this is a top-5 or a top-10 defense.

Last year, the Titans predominantly went with 2 EDGEs and 2 DTs and that alignment didn’t do much for them on the outside (unless Landry was in) but guys like Jayon Brown and Jurrell Casey had outstanding years.

This season has been different and it feels like the look we have seen the most is a look with three defensive linemen. A big reason why the Titans could get away with that is because the roster had 6 DTs on it and whether or not they were all active decided how frequently there was rotation.

So when the Titans made those moves today, the net change was: 2 DL cut, 1 DL brought up and 1 EDGE brought up.

That means that Tennessee is now working with just five defensive tackles.

Could that mean that we are about to see a shift back to more of a 4-2-5 base look from the defense?