It’s the new ‘bad’ front in Tennessee, and Jeffery Simmons is ready to stay behind
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) – Tennessee freshman cornerback Alontae Taylor looks at the Titans’ improved defensive line and one name comes to mind.
Bad.
All-Pro defensive end Jeffery Simmons has had a season of getting used to what new coach Robert Saleh wants in a defensive scheme now asking the veteran and his teammates to attack opposing offenses rather than relying on double-team tackles.
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“That’s my game,” Simmons said Wednesday. “I like to play on the other side of the line of scrimmage.”
Linebacker Cody Barton believes the change in scheme will be huge for Simmons.
“Jeff is one of the best at it, and he’s going to wreak havoc in every game,” Barton said.
Simmons had a career-best 11 sacks last season. A second straight 3-14 record led to Saleh’s recent hiring as the Titans’ new head coach, and he has a solid track record of assembling the NFL’s top defenses by freeing up players to learn quarterbacks and attacks.
Saleh said Wednesday that San Francisco has changed in 2019 from a six-point and old-school 4-3 approach. He said they brought in Kris Kocurek, a disciple of longtime defensive backs coach Jim Washburn whose career included 12 seasons with the Titans where he rotated linemen and pushed them to get off the ball early.
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That the 2019 49ers defense climbed to third in few yards allowed per game and second against the pass helped San Francisco reach the Super Bowl.
Off-season additions to the defense
The Titans spent a lot of money in free agency to help play this new style of defense. The Titans traded for safety Jeremiah Johnson II, signed veterans like John Franklin-Myers and Solomon Thomas for their tight end and moved back into the first round to draft lineman Keldric Faulk.
“I think a guy like Jeffery is going to enjoy playing next to him because he’s similar in the way they attack things and the way they tackle things,” defensive coordinator Gus Bradley said of Franklin-Myers.
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Tennessee re-signed Taylor along with cornerbacks Cor’Dale Flott and Joshua Williams and veteran safety Tony Adams to anchor the secondary. Linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. he was a second-round draft pick to join Barton and third-year linebacker Cedric Gray.
The rotation is designed to stay fresh and fast
The defensive line will set the tone with a planned rotation limiting Simmons and his teammates to 60% of the snaps. Saleh, who plans to once again call defensive plays in games, said the payoff comes in the fourth quarter when the Titans hope to wear down opposing lines.
That also keeps the Titans fresh and agile.
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“The faster we chase, the faster we can get our feet on the ground, the faster we can anticipate where the ball is going,” Saleh said. “It also determines whether the coordinator and the quarterback can call plays that develop deep and whether or not the quarterback can catch them.”
The elbow is no longer an issue for Simmons
Coming out of games won’t be easy for Simmons. The four-time Pro Bowler prides himself on staying on the field, and Simmons had his right elbow repaired this offseason after he couldn’t fully straighten his arm for more than two and a half years and was forced to wear a brace during games.
“My goal going into this season is to make sure I’m in the best shape of my life,” Simmons said.
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Contract status is also not high on the list
Simmons is also in line for a contract extension with his current contract running through 2027. He signed a four-year extension through April 2023. As the Titans wrap up their regular season Wednesday with the final open session of mandatory minicamp, Simmons sounded focused on what’s next on the field.
“This organization has not been easy for me, so I’m not too focused on the contract right now,” said Simmons. “Like I said, my goal this season is to let me go and get my tail ready to go to training camp.”
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