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View Full Version : Priority No. 1 for Titans linebackers in 2009 is the same as every year; stop the run



Titanico
07-27-2009, 12:29 AM
Priority No. 2: create turnovers. That’s something Titans linebackers didn’t do often enough last season. In fact, linebackers recorded none of the team’s 20 interceptions.
...

Still, the Titans feel good about themselves at the position. Bulluck returns for his 10th season, Thornton for his eighth. Middle linebacker Stephen Tulloch, the team’s second-leading tackler last season behind Bulluck, should be in better position to succeed in his second year as a starter.

Reserves include veterans Ryan Fowler, Josh Stamer and Colin Allred, and promising youngsters Stanford Keglar and Gerald McRath, who should contribute on special teams.

...

Q & A WITH DAVE MCGINNIS

What do you like about the linebacker corps?
“The two outside guys (Bulluck and Thornton) are as experienced as they come and exactly what you want to have, and Stephen Tulloch is a vastly improved player...


How much better can Stephen Tulloch be in his second year as a starter in the middle?
“You can always be better. I coached (Hall of Famer) Mike Singletary for seven years and every year we worked on things to get him better.

How much will the linebackers miss Albert Haynesworth’s presence up front?
“Albert was a good player, and we’ll miss him. But we have complete confidence in those guys that are up front, and they are going to get the job done.

Complete Article here, from THE TENNESSEAN (http://www.tennessean.com/article/20090726/SPORTS01/90724019/1027)

I really like the approach that our players and Coaches are showing for next season.

There's still a strong core of players at both sides of the ball, that can take this team to get whatever they dream of.

Sect309Fan
07-27-2009, 11:00 AM
The linebackers were the weak link last year on defense. It's not that they were bad, but they just didn't do anything to stand out. And it seemed like they had a tough time covering the tight ends and running backs of the opponents.

RegulatRR27
07-27-2009, 11:11 PM
The linebackers were the weak link last year on defense. It's not that they were bad, but they just didn't do anything to stand out. And it seemed like they had a tough time covering the tight ends and running backs of the opponents.


Just cuz sum 1 doesn't stand out, doesn't mean they were the weak link. 1st off our D-line was so aggressive and usually first to make the plays that alot of tackles were given to them and not to LBs. Now i'm not saying that tackles are everything but the LBs just weren't asked to do much last year cuz the dline was awesome. I think all 3 starting LBs stood out in my mind. I think Thornton may be one of the best LBs i have ever seen at reading a RB screen pass, now if he could just start catching sum of those passes for INTs. Tulloch, I think may be the most, aggressive, hardest hitter, and best sure tackler on the team. (only play i remember him blowing was that 4th down play against Cincy I think where Perry made a hard cut and he whiffed). And every D needs a Player like Bulluck he may have not stood out in the stat column but i'm sure he keeps everything in-line...see ravens game in regular season