It wasn't just Dupree. Autry as well. Not every sack artist is a first round "EDGE" defender.
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And despite those 2 signings, edge was still considered the biggest need by many but at least A need by the rest.
We drafted Weaver. Hope that was all the pass rush needed for the upcoming year unless there’s another vet FA expected anytime soon.
If the Dupree injury is still a problem, it would almost seem the pass rush can be written off again.
we can also pretend that pass rush isn’t important but I think the final game of the season showed exactly how important it should be looked at.
The offseason isn't over either. You're just complaining because we didn't draft ANY edge player 1st round.
Wish we could get Kerrigan from washington to sign here, he would be a great fit with Titans
Who knows, we might.
Weaver was a great pick where we got him and confirms to me we are looking at going to more of a 4-3, 4-2 alignment. Dupree and Autry at DE, both 260+ range and we just drafted another 260 pound edge player as a backup and future starter. Leaves Landry as more of a 3rd down rush specialist where we can move Autry inside in sure passing downs. We will be looking for more help next year but for this year we made some improvements for sure.
Also, we drafted a LB who can play in a 4 man front as Mike or OLB. Probably going to replace Evans next year but with Long and Brown we have the ability to field three quality LBs. Makes sense to keep Brown with his coverage skills and let Evans go. Thus explains the importance of drafting Rice.
Notice we also drafted a full time slot CB/S. Part of that 4-2 alignment. The right move IMO. Fans think we need a super fast guy to stay with guys like Hill in the slot but guys like Hill are the exception and not the norm. With Farley we now have Fulton and a full time NB we can use as needed. We can also utilize Jenkins is the slot on occasion like we did with Adoree.
I like having a 4 man front, which we played a bunch anyway, and using athletic LBs and a true NB. Autry was a great signing as an inside rusher in passing scenarios and if we can get any pressure at all with our front 4 we are in business. We will still see a 5th man blitzing from LB, NB or S on occasion.
Also, we drafted a LB who can play in a 4 man front as Mike or OLB. Probably going to replace Evans next year but with Long and Brown we have the ability to field three quality LBs. Makes sense to keep Brown with his coverage skills and let Evans go. Thus explains the importance of drafting Rice.
Notice we also drafted a full time slot CB/S. Part of that 4-2 alignment. The right move IMO. Fans think we need a super fast guy to stay with guys like Hill in the slot but guys like Hill are the exception and not the norm. With Farley we now have Fulton and a full time NB we can use as needed. We can also utilize Jenkins is the slot on occasion like we did with Adoree.
I like having a 4 man front, which we played a bunch anyway, and using athletic LBs and a true NB. Autry was a great signing as an inside rusher in passing scenarios and if we can get any pressure at all with our front 4 we are in business. We will still see a 5th man blitzing from LB, NB or S on occasion.
Or 2nd, or 3rd.
But you’re right I am complaining about not drafting an edge rusher this year, last year, the year before, etc and pass rush has been the biggest problem for multiple years.
I get the attempt with clowney Beasley last year but both were 1 year deals with no future anyway.
We get Dupree for this year, coming off ACL, and are apparently good with just adding another 4th round pick.
Say what you will about grading or whatever, but I have a difficult time believing the entire league missed on this guys talent if he’s supposed to be much better than a 4th.
I’m all for adding a vet. After the draft, JRob really needs to or once again, come April next year, Edge rusher remains the top hole to fill.
Between Weaver and Molden they will be competing for the steal of the draft.
...
We did draft Landry in the 2nd, and traded up to get him, in 2018. Orakpo and Morgan were still on the team that year. It isn't always prudent to take and edge rusher in the 1st round even if it is a need. The value needs to be there or you just waste picks. Not like we are ordering a pass rusher from Amazon or something. Also have other needs like WR and CB.
Weaver will be the sub package guy to rotate and keep other guys fresh....he can play both inside and out...we have some depth upfront to keep guys fresh...
In terms of NB, I expect us to have a guy with speed playing that spot most of the time....it will not be Molden .... it will be either Fulton or Farley unless Fulton just proves to be a total bust....Molden is more likely to be our Dime package guy when we play more zone coverage
In terms of NB, I expect us to have a guy with speed playing that spot most of the time....it will not be Molden .... it will be either Fulton or Farley unless Fulton just proves to be a total bust....Molden is more likely to be our Dime package guy when we play more zone coverage
That’s accurate. The last we took early was Landry. Prior was Dodd in 16.
I wouldn’t have issue with this if there was any success matching the strategy but there hasn’t been. The Titans pass rush has been trash for nearly a decade. Casey was awesome and Simmons looks like a great replacement.
Imagine what they could have done with any pass rushers.
every year we hit the bargain bin (last year clowney was an exception) with little results.
I agree on the other needs. A RT was needed, a CB was needed. Both of which were addressed in FA as well (sort of with Lamm). Yet there was the issue of edge rusher still at the top.
value is a subjective thing anyway but I agree to an extent. To me, if the guy is available but likely won’t be next time around, the value matches your pick. So what if the player was graded a few spots lower, get your guy. Maybe that’s what happened but JRob never seems to have any “guy” the rushes the passer and the titans team pays every year by not putting any pash rush on the field.
I get sick of people acting like JRob hasn’t tried to fix the pass rush....last yr our 2 big FA signings both addressed the problem...JRob swung and missed but he tried....this yr our top 2 FA signings again addressed the pass rush. JRob has spent plenty on trying to fix it....let’s hope this yr we signed the right guys
Some people will say the Browns taking JOK was the steal of the draft, but he’s just Jabrill Peppers 2.0 to me. Jack of all trades, master of none. That never works out in the NFL.
This is year 6 for JRob. If he gets credit for attempting to fix the pass rush, he can get the blame for completely sucking at it then.
Titans pass rush and his attempts to fix have been nothing short of total trash.
so while you’re sick of folks like me complaining about the lack of fixes, I’ll add that I’m sick of seeing the same lack of pass rush every year when we all know that pass rush is necessary to win.
Two different issues:
1) lack of trying to fix it. He has tried
2) actually fixing it. He has failed...thus far
I am feeling better about this year’s efforts over last year’s. My one concern is Dupree might not be ready and a factor until later in the season.
1) lack of trying to fix it. He has tried
2) actually fixing it. He has failed...thus far
I am feeling better about this year’s efforts over last year’s. My one concern is Dupree might not be ready and a factor until later in the season.
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Gotta look at scheme/coaching too. It’s the only consistent thing in the mix throughout.
I suppose we could have taken an edge player instead of Simmons and that would have fixed the problem.... not. Bottom line is:
1. 1st round picks hit about 50% of the time (2nd round pick less) and far less than that for an elite guy.
2. There are other needs like LB, CB, OL, WR in the early rounds
3. go back to item 1.
So as important as edge rushers are you might only draft one in the first two rounds 20-25% of the time based on need and what is available. Then when you get one, like Dodd, you have a 50% chance or better they don't solve the problem. In fact your best bet is to get a Jayon Brown like talent at edge in the 4th or 5th round (luck?). We also haven't figured it out yet but even when signing FAs, with track records in the NFL, having them play to their value might be a 50% crap shoot (with injury figured in).
Thus, just saying we could have, should have done more to fix the problem is not seeing the whole picture and even if we did spend an extra pick or two over the last decade there we might miss out on a guy like Henry or something and have a hole at another position.
1. 1st round picks hit about 50% of the time (2nd round pick less) and far less than that for an elite guy.
2. There are other needs like LB, CB, OL, WR in the early rounds
3. go back to item 1.
So as important as edge rushers are you might only draft one in the first two rounds 20-25% of the time based on need and what is available. Then when you get one, like Dodd, you have a 50% chance or better they don't solve the problem. In fact your best bet is to get a Jayon Brown like talent at edge in the 4th or 5th round (luck?). We also haven't figured it out yet but even when signing FAs, with track records in the NFL, having them play to their value might be a 50% crap shoot (with injury figured in).
Thus, just saying we could have, should have done more to fix the problem is not seeing the whole picture and even if we did spend an extra pick or two over the last decade there we might miss out on a guy like Henry or something and have a hole at another position.
Then hold him responsible for not doing his job. Ppl on here think he's a god just because he came from the patriots and we made the playoffs.
The success rate of an edge rusher not selected is 0% all the time. At some point, JRob needs to look for some young (which will mean a longer time on the team and for cheaper) talent to rush the passer.
And I agree, playing to value from FA is not a guarantee. I’d even argue it’s less than 50% considering the cost of FA edge rushers. Just one more reason to use the draft.
We already know that pass rush can help a weaker secondary. The other way around doesn’t work or at least won’t work against the best teams.
Right now KC is the best team in the AFC, arguably the NFL. TB just gave the ground work to beat them. It seems like a good idea to attempt that.
Edit: to be clear, I’m not in the same boat as the other dude that sees JRob on the hot seat. He’s done enough other moves well that he’s earned a lot of leeway. The edge rusher and importance of pass rush is my only real sore spot with JRob. If a title is coming to Tennessee, the D must make the QB worry about getting hit or feel the pain from getting hit.
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