SUMMARY: Seattle's Shaun Alexander 172-yards rushing Sunday makes it the third consecutive game where the Titans defense has given up over 100 yards rushing to an opponent. "It was disappointing not being able to stop the run," defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz said. "People made a big deal about giving up (107) yards to (Colts running back) Edgerrin James, but that was all seven-man front. We played the run really well that day. But these last two games we've been in a lot of eight-man fronts and haven't been able to stop it." The Titans (4-10) have given up four 130-yard or more games — Alexander had 172, Willie Parker had 161 and Domanick Davis had 139 and 130 — and seven runs of 30 yards or more, including 34- and 52-yard scampers by Alexander. The 130-yard games are especially alarming. The Titans allowed only five such games over the previous nine seasons.
What do you think about this article? Post your comments below.
What do you think about this article? Post your comments below.
Lotsa big cutback runs....lotsa bad LB and S play trying to keep up with those guys cutting back :sad2:
I noticed something in the past two games. It seems teams are running more on Sirmons side and are having alot of their success. It's either that or their going up the middle and finding success at certain points. Bottom line is, Kassell and Sirmon are liabilities and need to be replaced. In Sirmons defense, it's unclear whether he's 100% back from injury or not. Didn't he seem quicker then now before his injury? Oh and the last time I saw LT put a hit on somebody was during the Panthers game in '03. Since then, I haven't seen him jack anyone up.
Another disturbing fact: We've allowed more 100+ runners this season then we have in nine years. NINE YEARS! YIKES!
DeutschTitan said:
I said a few years ago that the guy looked slow. To me it was always a tradeoff of unathletic ability (that may be a new term lol) for headiness, instincts, whatever ya wanna call it.
It looks like we need to go for speed at our LB position and get that instinctive/headiness/readiness mumbojumbo at the S position. Vincent Fuller could be one for that. Now we just gotta find another one.
I think Sirmon is in the same mold as the type of players which made the Patriots successful. People here have been talking about how frustrating it is to draft projects who have the measurables but need such a long time to develop and wish the Titans had more "football players" on the team. Sirmon is that kind of guy. When healthy, he was a quality starter and leader on the defense. He was/is a coach on the field who could get players set in the right position.Bobo said:
Problem is, he can't seem to stay healthy anymore and the Titans have to decide whether or not to invest in a guy who hasn't been close to 100% for two seasons.
There was a time when there was talk he could move to the middle. I don't know if that is an option but an upgrade of speed at LB is a must.
I remember during the 02 season Sirmon was making plays left and right. Then he just disappeared and I heard his name less and less after that season.
In 2003, he went down in that Pittsburgh game with a back injury where Boiman came in and played so wel. He missed three games that year and still ended the season with 141 tackles which was second on the team. Then he was out all of 2004 with the ACL and has spent this season dealing with it and other assorted leg injuries.
"titans defense not getting it done against the run"
there's a news flash.
there's a news flash.
TitanJeff said:
So maybe there's a parallel between Brusci/Vrabel and Sirmon/Kassell? Well either our two guys just aren't as good or the scheme is the difference. I've always thought Sirmon's lack of speed would make him more suited for the middle, where he played in college.
Maybe 2 out of 3 LB's being "football players" just isn't the winning ratio.
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