Titans playmaker hopes to add essential attribute to his game
Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Teair Tart had a breakout season in 2022, but the 26-year-old playmaker is looking to elevate his game to the next level in 2023. Tart proved to be one of the better run stopping interior lineman in the NFL last season. Tart received a Pro Football Focus defensive grade of 73.1 […]
Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Teair Tart had a breakout season in 2022, but the 26-year-old playmaker is looking to elevate his game to the next level in 2023.
Tart proved to be one of the better run stopping interior lineman in the NFL last season. Tart received a Pro Football Focus defensive grade of 73.1 last season, which ranked him the 22nd best interior defensive lineman in football.
But as everyone knows, there's much more to the game than just stopping the run. Both Tart and his coaches with the Titans are hoping to see a big jump in his production as a pass rusher this season.
Tart posted a career-high 26 total pressures and seven QB hits in his breakout 2022 season, and is really being embraced by the Titans fanbase as one of the most underrated defenders in the league.
But for a guy who was tagged with a second-round tender worth $4.3 million in 2023 and hoping to get paid as an unrestricted free agent next offseason, there is a lot of room to grow. Pass rushers get paid, and as Titans defensive line coach Terrell Williams said on Wednesday, you can never have enough of them.
"There's always room for good pass rushers, trust me. Watch the good teams," said Williams when asked if there was room for Tart to play snaps in the Titans defense as a pass rusher. "We have packages where we can put more than just Jeff [Simmons] and Denico [Autry] out there. So if you can pass rush, we'll find a way to get you on the field."
"Jeff, Denico, Warren Sapp, whoever…they can't take every rep," Williams continued. "We gotta be able to rotate guys in there and feel comfortable, so if a guy shows us he can pass rush, we'll find a way to get him on third down and two minute."
Earning more snaps is a sure fire way for Tart to increase his production and earn his pay day. Despite playing in 16 of Tennessee's 17 games last season, Tart was only on the field for 47 percent (519) of the Titans' defensive snaps.
According to Tart, the challenge he will face is more about his understanding of pass rushing than his physical capabilities.
"Just trying to understand concepts a little bit better," Tart told Titans media during minicamp when asked how he can improve as a pass rusher. "Just understanding footwork and understanding my opponent and how I can take advantage of certain situations."
The Titans' defensive line is already looking dangerous as is. With Simmons, Autry, Harold Landry III, and newcomer Arden Key as projected starters, Tennessee's front four could be one of the best in the league this season. Rashad Weaver and Tart will play key depth roles and work into the rotation regularly.
Now imagine a world where Tart makes a major improvement against the pass and can be utilized as a three-down lineman. That's a recipe for success in the trenches for Tennessee.
