3 Titans defenders playing their best football heading into the playoffs
By Will Lomas
Amani Hooker, S
It is hard to think of anyone playing better per snap on defense than Hooker, including guys like Crawford and Long.
Despite not being a starter, Hooker is tied for the team lead in interceptions and he is second on the team in pass breakups. Simply put, he has been able to do everything that the Titans thought they would be able to get from Kevin Byard this season.
Tough interceptions in the endzone? Sure. Plays where he drives on the ball and jumps a route? Yep, did it last week. What about playing deep safety and taking away deep passes while capitalizing on overthrows? He actually did that against the Ravens earlier this season.
It breaks my heart to say it, but you need to hear this:
The Titans best two safeties right now are Amani Hooker and Kenny Vaccaro, and there is no debate about it.
In this game the Titans need to think about using this defense on nearly every play that they can:
3 DL: Jack Crawford, Jeffery Simmons, Daquan Jones
1 EDGE: Harold Landry
1 LB: David Long
3 CBs: Malcolm Butler, Adoree Jackson, Desmond King
3 Safeties: Kenny Vaccaro (playing in the box), Amani Hooker, Kevin Byard
If they can get those 11 guys on the field, that is probably the fastest and most talented group that the Titans could field. That group would provide your best of pass rush, your highest chance of getting TFLs, your best coverage, and your best shot at a turnover.
Anything else Mike Vrabel and Shane Bowen do is because they are basing the lineup on “feel” rather than on film or actual merit.