Relationship between old friends has major impact on Titans defense
Tennessee Titans defensive ends Denico Autry and Mario Edwards may be new to wreaking havoc in the two-tone blue together, but the two veteran pass rushers are far from strangers. Autry and Edwards played together with the Oakland Raiders for three seasons from 2015-2017 before being reunited ten days ago, when the Titans waived Derrek […]
Tennessee Titans defensive ends Denico Autry and Mario Edwards may be new to wreaking havoc in the two-tone blue together, but the two veteran pass rushers are far from strangers.
Autry and Edwards played together with the Oakland Raiders for three seasons from 2015-2017 before being reunited ten days ago, when the Titans waived Derrek Tuszka, and signed Edwards off of the Jacksonville Jaguars practice squad.
One week into Edwards' Titans tenure, and it would appear that the duo hasn't missed a beat in their relationship or chemistry.
According to Titans defensive coordinator Shane Bowen, Edwards entered the Titans organization with a "chip on his shoulder", earning him an opportunity to play 52% of the defensive snaps against the Colts.
It was in those snaps that his friendship with Autry proved to be extremely impactful both on and off the field.
The Bash Brothers
The chemistry that Bowen referenced is something that only experience and familiarity can breed. It's rare, especially when a player signs with the team just one week before playing in their first game.
While speaking to Edwards in the Titans' locker room on Wednesday, he shared with me the importance of his relationship with Autry and how it makes the game come much easier to them on the field:
"In Oakland we were called 'The Bash Brothers', cause we would go out there and wreck it in practice or get into a fight with other people," Edwards told me. "We kinda just developed a chemistry with another, so I know if he gives me a certain look, he's about to do something and vice versa."
It's the nonverbal communication that allows Edwards and Autry to play off of each other's tendencies with regularity, and Edwards says it makes dominating the line of scrimmage 'easy'.
"It's always great. especially when you've got someone who knows your tendencies, what you like to rush, what you like to do," Edwards said. "I know what he likes to do and what side he likes to rush on, so knowing that information, it's easy to go out there and run the games with each other."
In their first game together as Titans, Autry had his most productive and disruptive effort of the 2022 season, recording two sacks, including a forced fumble and a tackle for loss.
On the biggest defensive play of the game, Autry (96) served as a "sacrifice" for Edwards (94, top of screen), who crossed over Autry to the inside blocker in LG Quenton Nelson. When Nelson tried to switch back over to Edwards, Autry was left running free to the quarterback, where he brought down Matt Ryan for a sack and killed the Colts' drive.
The ability of Autry and Edwards to play as a team in the trenches elevated the Titans pass rush and ultimately helped them pick up a huge divisional win on the road.
While the Titans have had a tendency to cycle the back end of their roster over the last few years, Edwards has earned the right to stay and play in Tennessee this season.
He's already overtaken a few names in the snap counts, and his opportunities will only continue to grow the more he proves himself.
The Titans defensive front was much better in Week 4, and these old friends may just be the answer to maintaining a dominating pass rush.
Image via Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
