COLUMN: Shane Bowen, Titans' Defense Getting the Job Done Through Six Games
NASHVILLE, Tenn. ⏤ When the Bills, down by three, elected to keep their offense on the field on a red-zone fourth-and-1 with 22 seconds left in the game on Monday, it was up to the Tennessee Titans' defense to secure a win for the team. The droves of Titans fans who packed the Nissan Stadium […]
NASHVILLE, Tenn. ⏤ When the Bills, down by three, elected to keep their offense on the field on a red-zone fourth-and-1 with 22 seconds left in the game on Monday, it was up to the Tennessee Titans' defense to secure a win for the team.
The droves of Titans fans who packed the Nissan Stadium stands were on the edge of their seats, nervously wondering whether the defense would get the job done and probably wishing Buffalo had sent its field-goal unit out instead.
Center Ben Jones and the Titans' offense, however, felt differently.
"We were happy they were going for it," Jones said after the game. "We have all the faith in the world in our defense."
Jones' confidence in his other-side-of-the-ball teammates was warranted. Led by DL Jeffery Simmons, Tennessee's defense stopped Buffalo's attempt at a QB sneak and effectively ended the game.
Moving forward, Jones and the members of the Titans' offense shouldn't be the only ones confident in the team's defense.
GETTING THE JOB DONE
The Titans' defense has been far from spectacular in 2021, ranking 24th in both yards-per-game and points-per-game. In a few key areas, though, the unit has been, at least, moderately proficient.
In the red zone, the Titans are the NFL's 13th most efficient defense. On third and fourth downs, Tennessee is right in the middle of the pack, ranking 15th in both categories.
That's a stark contrast from 2020 when the Titans' third-down defense was the worst in the league and set some records for ineptitude.
A lot of the credit for that improvement, as well as Tennessee's situational effectiveness on defense, should go to defensive coordinator Shane Bowen.
BOWEN'S NEW ROLE
In response to the severe problems that arose during the 2020 season, most of which stemmed from communication deficiencies, Bowen and the Titans spent the offseason focused on streamlining and simplifying their overall operation on defense.
Head coach Mike Vrabel gave officially promoted Bowen⏤whose title in 2020 was "outside linebackers coach" despite being announced as the team's play-caller⏤to defensive coordinator.
That's allowed Bowen to spend more time focused on scheme-related matters and moving between meeting rooms.
The team also ensured that the actual defensive play-calls were easier to communicate and understand on the field.
"We’ve kind of made an emphasis to simplify with some of that stuff, so we can make sure we’re getting lined up and we can play fast," Bowen said.
That simplification has led to obvious on-field improvement.
Now, Tennessee's defense consistently looks comfortable and is rarely out of place. Those things couldn't be said about the unit in 2020.
"Guys are developing a chemistry," LB Rashaan Evans said.
"Now, guys are seeing, talking and communicating without even having to say anything. We're using hand signals, everything we can possibly do to help each other out."
FRESH BLOOD
On top of the Titans' schematic improvements, the Titans also improved their speed and overall talent on defense heading into 2021.
Six of Tennessee's eleven defensive starters in Week One were either new to the team or first-time starters. Those new players have added a major boost, especially DL Denico Autry.
Autry has been a versatile and consistently disruptive force next to Simmons on the Titans' defensive line, and his impact has paved the way for other players on the defense to make more plays.
"He cares so much. He's so fun to coach," Vrabel said. "He wants to do right all the time. He wants to contribute."
The Titans aren't world-beaters on defense, and they probably won't be anytime soon.
They're doing just enough to get the job done, though. When the Titans have needed a big stop so far in 2021, the defense has come through.
Most importantly, it's improving.
"Going into the middle of the season, we're starting to catch fire."
Cover image: Christopher Hanewinckel/USA Today
