Titans training camp: Defensive players with the most on the line
By Will Lomas
Jack Gibbens, LB
Is Jack Gibbens a starting-caliber linebacker? Mike Vrabel thought he was and Gibbens is halfway towards convincing Brian Callahan that he is as well.
Gibbens is always going to be someone who doesn't have the quickness to cover guys in the middle of the field consistently, but he did some nice things last year when given a chance. Nothing special, but there were some fun plays in the mix.
As an inside-out run defender, Gibbens has potential to be a starter in the NFL in the right scheme. However, his trump card is his ability to diagnose plays and to understand what he is supposed to do as soon he recognizes the play.
The new Titans defense is predicated on chaos, so having a linebacker who can't consistently cover for three or four seconds shouldn't matter as much when the quarterback has a defensive back flying into the backfield and moving him off of his spot on third down.
If he can show more good than bad in the midst of the chaos of training camp, he might just lock down a starting job in 2024.