Titans assistant points out 'embarrassing' issue that needs to be fixed in 2022
Tennessee Titans outside linebackers coach Ryan Crow spoke to reporters on Wednesday for the second day of mandatory minicamps and he pointed out a major defensive issue from last season that he called "embarrassing". Crow, who is entering his second season as Tennessee's outside linebackers coach, told reporters that he wants creating turnovers via the […]
Tennessee Titans outside linebackers coach Ryan Crow spoke to reporters on Wednesday for the second day of mandatory minicamps and he pointed out a major defensive issue from last season that he called "embarrassing".
Crow, who is entering his second season as Tennessee's outside linebackers coach, told reporters that he wants creating turnovers via the Titans' pass rush to be a priority in 2022.
"It was embarrassing last year, to be honest with you," said Crow of the Titans' struggles to create turnovers. "Those guys did an excellent job of getting to the quarterback, but we gotta be able to change the game. Heavy emphasis this year (on creating turnovers). We spent a lot of time talking about it. [We] spent a lot of time showing clips and we're absolutely spending a lot of time working on it."
Crow, who served as a graduate assistant at Ohio State before landing in Nashville, didn't hold back on Wednesday. He's clearly passionate about wreaking havoc in the backfield and creating turnovers.
Titans defensive line coach Terrell Williams echoed Crow's sentiment, telling reporters that the staff has had multiple conversations with star defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons about creating more turnovers.
The Titans finished the 2021 season ranked middle of the road in the NFL in takeaways. Tennessee generated 22 turnovers last season, which ranked No. 16 in the league.
16 of the Titans' 22 takeaways were interceptions. Only six were via fumble.
Tennessee had a -3 turnover differential last season. They were one of only three playoff teams that didn't have a positive turnover differential (the Las Vegas Raiders and San Francisco 49ers were the other two teams). That stat obviously needs to change moving forward.
If the Titans can improve on creating turnovers, it could be what puts them over the top this season and gets this franchise back to the Super Bowl for the first time in over 20 years. Improved quarterback play is a must, but generating more turnovers is almost equally as important to Tennessee's postseason success.
Featured image via George Walker IV / Tennessean.com / USA TODAY NETWORK
