Kevin Byard's life experience are critical to the Tennessee Titans success
NASHVILLE — It hardly feels like safety Kevin Byard should be heading into his seventh season with the Tennessee Titans. The two-time All-Pro is certainly aware of how long he's been in the NFL, and is making the necessary adjustments. His body demands that he do so. After a down year across the board in 2020 […]
NASHVILLE — It hardly feels like safety Kevin Byard should be heading into his seventh season with the Tennessee Titans. The two-time All-Pro is certainly aware of how long he's been in the NFL, and is making the necessary adjustments.
His body demands that he do so.
After a down year across the board in 2020 for the Tennessee defense, Byard and the re-tooled Titans rebounded in a big way. Five interceptions (including a Pick 6), 13 passes defensed and a completion percentage allowed of 47.8 earned him a second career All-Pro nod. Maintaining, or exceeding, the high expectations Byard sets for himself require a singular focus.
The success of Tennessee's secondary depends on it.
Titans young defense will depend on Byard
![Tennessee Titans cornerback Chris Jackson (35) celebrates with teammate Tennessee Titans safety Kevin Byard (31) after he intercepted a pass from Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) to end Sunday's game. The Jacksonville Jaguars hosted the Tennessee Titans at TIAA Bank Field in Jacksonville, Florida, October 10, 2021. The Jaguars trailed at the half 24 to 13 and lost with a final score of 37-19. [Bob Self/Florida Times-Union] Jki 101021 Jaguarsvstitans 37](http://atozsports.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/1236-syndication-florida-times-union.jpg)
Byard, 28, is the most senior member of the Titans projected starting secondary, by far.
Fellow safety Amani Hooker and corners Kristian Fulton, Caleb Farley and Elijah Molden are all only 23 years of age. Veteran Buster Skrine, 33, also re-signed with Tennessee after success as a 2021 fill-in, but the plan is to see whether the former first-round pick Farley can fill the starting outside corner role opposite Fulton this season.
Byard will once again be responsible for overseeing this young, inexperienced group.
"I am a guy who likes to have reps," said Byard on Tuesday. "I like to get in reps. I want to be out here. I love playing ball, I want to be out here playing ball with the guys. And, the mentorship of the young guys, seeing a vet out here, working hard, busting his behind."
Byard has not taken those opportunities for granted while in Tennessee. He was always a long shot to reach his current professional heights.
"NFL was definitely in my mindset, but it was in the back of my mind," Byard told me on my 104.5 The Zone radio show this week. "It wasn't something where I just knew I was going to be this All-Pro NFL football player. Honestly, it was chasing a D1 scholarship."
No offers from Georgia or Alabama. The Big 10 and the Pac 12 both snubbed the the future Titans star. Instead, it was Middle Tennessee State University that took Byard in under coach Rick Stockstill about 45 minutes South of where the safety would eventually play pro ball. It was there that Byard proved his worth, becoming the program's all-time interceptions leader and a third-round draft choice of Tennessee.
The Titans have one of the most interesting collection of defensive personnel in football this year.
The pass rush that dropped Joe Burrow an astounding nine times in a Divisional Round loss returns to wreak more havoc. It will certainly work to the benefit of all the first and second-year players filling out Tennessee's back end.
How quickly Byard with Hooker as his running mate get the young guys up to speed will be one of the determining factors of this Titans season.
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Featured Image: USA TODAY Sports.
