State of the Tennessee Titans Roster: Defensive End

by Jimmy on Jun 12, 2009 11:30 AM CDT Comment 5 comments

More photos » by Mark Humphrey - AP

Boom King has really big arms. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

The biggest question surrounding the defensive end position is Kyle Vanden Bosch's health. The Titans defense needs Boom King to return to 2007 form with the loss of Albert Haynesworth. I have little doubt that he will be ready to go when the season starts next season, especially seeing how he gutted it out to try and get back on the field last season.

Jevon Kearse was one of the biggest surprises in 2008. His numbers don't jump off the page at you, but he played in all 16 games and actually held his own against the run. He didn't do either of those things when he was here before. Kearse is not The Freak that we saw when he broke into the league, but he is a solid rotation guy that should have a good influence on the younger guys.

Dave Ball is another guy that Jim Washburn was able to turn into a solid contributor. Wash even said this offseason that Ball was at the top of the depth chart. Ball leads a group of solid reserves that includes Jacob Ford and William Hayes. Ford had a break out season last year with 7 sacks in limited playing time, but interestingly enough, he is currently listed behind Hayes on the depth chart.

This is a pretty solid and deep group that can be great if KVB is healthy and the Kearse/Hayes/Ford side of the line can continue to show the improvement they showed last season.

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That's a pretty good rotation on the right if you can have a choice between KVB and Ball.

Ball played really, really well last year, and it was no fluke. Folks had plenty of time to get tape on him, and he continued to play well.

The big question in my mind is this: Does the production fall off here without Big Al? That Boom King/Haynesworth combo was a killer, but I don’t know that there’s another wrecking machine DT on the roster to give these guys the boost they had at times last season.

DannoE

"You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one."

by DannoE on Jun 12, 2009 12:03 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

As long as Jim Washburn is there...

the defensive line will always be solid.

Go Titans!

by Pinoy Titan on Jun 12, 2009 1:00 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

+1

by DoofusOfErasmus on Jun 12, 2009 2:00 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

+2

I love how deep our rotation is, we’ll be just fine without Fat Albert

Sorry, I'm a Nube

by Sheriff McLawdog on Jun 12, 2009 5:23 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

+3

I have no doubts we will be strong….I am really looking fwd to see what william hayes brings this year. What better situation can we have with Ball/Ford/Hayes/Jones/Marks learning from Washburn on technique and work ethic from KVB/JK…..

by zero defects on Jun 13, 2009 6:32 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs