Tennessee Titans defensive backs are playing up to their pedigree
By Will Lomas
Early in Tennessee Titans training camp, post-practice summaries were quick to talk about the offense and things like how well Robert Woods was doing, the improvement of Racey McMath, and the standouts from the rookie class.
However, the narrative has started to shift towards the defense, and Monday’s practice will only lead to more praise for that side of the ball.
Kevin Byard has been the most consistent defensive back by far, but the other defensive backs have started to show up more and more. Before being a little banged up, rookie CB Roger McCreary was a highlight of each practice showing physicality and maturity beyond his years.
Kristian Fulton is also someone who has been stacking impressive performances and that shouldn’t be any surprise because he played at a near Pro-Bowl level last season for the Tennessee Titans defense.
However, one player was dominant on Monday and it should make fans ecstatic.
Tennessee Titans are seeing Caleb Farley improve quickly
ESPN’s Turron Davenport summed up Farley’s day well in his practice notes this afternoon:
https://twitter.com/TDavenport_NFL/status/1559212721987616771
On Thursday, fans got to see Caleb Farley in action for a few series against the Baltimore Ravens and he did well.
He had one play where he allowed the WR to have too much cushion, but he didn’t allow any explosive plays, he plastered in coverage when the QB broke the pocket, and he was quick to get downhill and attack when he was targetted.
What fans didn’t get to see was how Farley would react to being attacked vertically. Now, that shouldn’t be a problem considering that there are reports that he ran in the 4.2s during his training for the NFL combine, despite being 6’3.
However, Farley is so new to playing corner considering his conversion from WR to CB in college and then sitting out the 2020 season. So while all of the tools are there and his tape is promising, fans just haven’t seen it yet.
On Monday, Ryan Tannehill targetted him on back-to-back deep passes to Racey McMath and Farley won both of those reps. Remember, Farley is a physical phenom, but McMath is a freak as well with his 4.3 speed and 6’3, 225 lb. frame.
If he is putting it all together, then it is just another weapon that this Tennessee Titans defense can use to intimidate opponents.
Throughout camp, the Tennessee Titans’ defensive backs have all had good days here and there, but they hadn’t been as consistent as fans might want.
However, that consistency has started to really pick up, first with Kevin Byard and Roger McCreary, then with Kristian Fulton, now it is Caleb Farley, and with Elijah Molden back on the field, he might be next.
If this group can live up to their pedigree, there might not be a more complete group of defensive backs in the NFL. Combine that with a ferocious pass rush and the most underrated linebacker group in the NFL, and the Tennessee Titans could be well on their way to the elite defense they have been teasing all offseason.