Tennessee Titans September report card: Defense
Safeties
Even when the rest of the roster was putrid, the safety position was usually a position of strength for the Titans, thanks to the phenomenal play of Kevin Byard.
Unfortunately, that game-changing Byard level of play has not emerged to this point in 2020. Don’t get me wrong, Byard is still a great safety. He just hasn’t lived up to the expectations that Titans fans rightly have of him. Byard is yet to have an INT, which is unusual for him.
Kenny Vaccaro, also usually an above-average player, has also looked suspect in 2020. Vaccaro has struggled mightily in pass defense and has also been held without an INT to this point. Vaccaro has contributed with 1 sack, and he is still fine against the run.
Amani Hooker has looked serviceable in limited snaps and is the only safety to land an INT so far, even though it was on a Hail Mary that was tipped to him by the defensive backs who were actually in the right position. Thankfully safety is the one position on the teams’ defense that has not been touched by COVID-19.
Due to the chemistry of Byard and Vaccaro, I have to assume their level of play will rise as the season moves along. I am much more concerned about the poor play of the interior linebackers and the defensive line than I am of the safeties.