Titans 30 Panthers 3 Grading the Defense

by Jimmy on Nov 13, 2011 11:30 PM CST

The Titans run defense was pretty good on Sunday. They gave up one huge run each to DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart but held them down for most of the day. They combined for 58 yards on 12 carries. If you take out their long runs, which I know you can't do, they had 21 yards on 10 carries.

They also did a good job keeping Cam Newton from escaping the pocket and running most of the day. He did have the one run where he picked up 26 yards, but that was the only one that was significant.

Grade: B

Newton came into this game averaging 299 yards per game, and he had thrown at least one touchdown pass in all but one of his games. The Titans held him to 212 yards on 40 attempts and no touchdowns. They also intercepted him one time.

They also did a really good job on Steve Smith. He came into the game averaging 114.8 yards per game but had only 33 in this game.

Grade: A

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super impressed with the D today

i knew we’d score points against their defense, but i didn’t think we’d shut down Cam like that. gotta be his worst game as a pro so far, yeah?

by oshoney on Nov 13, 2011 11:33 PM CST reply actions

Agreed excellent day for the D!

I have to think, and it seemed at times that the Ruud injury allowing McCarthy to play today had an effect on this game, and the defense! McCarthy looked like he came to play and had a bit of an attitude that we haven’t been seeing in our LB’s! The LB unit as a whole played a lot better today than I have seen in a while… of course the front four did a bit better too, so I guess they can go hand in hand!

J Mac looked like a beast… I would add a + to the Pass Def for his open field tackles today!

by TNTitan09 on Nov 13, 2011 11:55 PM CST reply actions

D was Impressive today.

Everyone overlooks the fact Sen’Derrick Marks literally man-handled the opposing centers and guards all day, and constantly was getting impressive push. Collin McCarthy was doing really well as well, and Akeem Ayers redeemed himself on the drive where he had holding and then later on recovered the fumble.

GO TITANS!!!

by RhiNo6705 on Nov 14, 2011 12:12 AM CST reply actions

The defense made Cam Newton look like a rookie QB.

… yeah, the same defense that made Luke McCown look like a decent NFL QB; the same defense that allowed Curtis Painter to consistently scramble for 10-15 yard gains near the end of the Colts game.

I don’t get it either.

Official MCM Idiot

RIP Dinger

by fanoftheunderdogs on Nov 14, 2011 12:37 AM CST reply actions

The reason why our defense looked better today

Is because McCarthy played a hell of a middle linebacker. The defense had a new attitude today and it started with him, klug and casey. Our rookies need to be starting plain and simple.

As for the offense, it was nice to see CJ back to his old self. Just keep the playcalls to the outside and watch his success grow. Hasselbeck, unfortunately, didnt impress me much at all today. He could and should have throw 2 more pics. I cant to see Locker in a year or two.

by The Titans are greater than the Gods on Nov 14, 2011 12:44 AM CST reply actions

I cant wait to see Locker in a year or two.*

In Greek mythology, the Titans were greater than the Gods.

by The Titans are greater than the Gods on Nov 14, 2011 12:52 AM CST up reply actions

Glad I didn't have you as a teacher Jimmy.

The defense could not have played much better against the Panthers. They only gave up 3 points. I would say A+ against the pass and an A against the run. Then again, I’m a little biased.

Jerry Gray should get extra credit for the game plan. I hope he keeps it up and I hope our guys can execute as well next week. If there is a football god, I’m praying that Ruud lost his starting MLB job.

by Jason Jones on Nov 14, 2011 2:45 AM CST reply actions

He shouldn't get it back.

McCarthy looked like beast mode. Where as Ruud looks like me out there covering a TE

by danomite on Nov 14, 2011 6:32 AM CST via mobile up reply actions

NOW THAT'S THE TITAN DEFENSE I KNOW!!!

Gotta give it up for the D, the coaches put together a good game plan & the players followed it and were successful. Looks like we solved our MLB problem. Looks like we solved our WR problems too (D.Will looked very sharp). I STILL think we need more help on the O-Line, but they did play well yesterday.

Music City Miracles Hall Of Fame, Class of 2010

One of these days....WHEN I have more time, WHEN I get that promotion, WHEN my ship comes in. Listen, TODAY is the day WHEN you start to put your goals into action. TODAY is the day WHEN you stop putting things off and decide that the only way the future IS going to be better is if I make TODAY WHENsday!!

by titansfan4ever on Nov 14, 2011 9:22 AM CST reply actions

If this Titans team has taught me anything, it's that one good week doesn't mean a problem is solved.

But I certainly hope you’re right.

"Do the Titans have a miracle left in them in what has been a magical season to this point? If they do, they need it now. Christie kicks it high and short. Gonna be fielded by Lorenzo Neal at the 25; he dishes it back to Wycheck; he throws it across the field to Dyson. 30, 40, 50, 40, 30, 20, 10, 5, endzone...touchdown, Titans! There are no flags on the field! It's a miracle! Tennessee has pulled a miracle! A miracle for the Titans!"

by TennesseeTyrants on Nov 14, 2011 9:24 AM CST up reply actions

I hear you.

You are being cautiously optimistic, right?

Music City Miracles Hall Of Fame, Class of 2010

by titansfan4ever on Nov 14, 2011 10:04 AM CST up reply actions

i still think we should draft a wr though because we are still incosistent

and we should keep mccarthy

by jv1222 on Nov 14, 2011 12:11 PM CST up reply actions

McCarthy was an upgrade yesterday.

He’s not going to wow anyone physically (nor would Ruud for that matter), but the kid was fundamentally sound.

His performance wasn’t spectacular by any means, and his game was nowhere near flawless. Still, he looked good against ball carriers in the open field and was reliable in pass coverage.

At this point, just average play at MLB would improve this defense considering how horrific Ruud has been this year, and I think we can get at least that out of McCarthy.

*Side Note: I was traveling this weekend (Vegas). If you have the opportunity to fly JetBlue on Sundays, do so. Not only do they have two standard games going, but they also carry NFL Redzone.

by SuperHorn on Nov 14, 2011 9:57 AM CST reply actions

Did you win?

Music City Miracles Hall Of Fame, Class of 2010

by titansfan4ever on Nov 14, 2011 10:07 AM CST up reply actions

Yes.

Had I stayed an extra day, I would have won more as I would have bet the Cardinals (+600) money line.

by SuperHorn on Nov 14, 2011 10:13 AM CST up reply actions

S.W.E.E.T.

Music City Miracles Hall Of Fame, Class of 2010

by titansfan4ever on Nov 14, 2011 10:17 AM CST up reply actions

On McCarthy

I’d love to see a detailed analysis of his performance yesterday. At first glance, it seemed like he was all over the field making plays, and much like Ayers if he did make a mistake it seemed he was right there a play or two later to more than make up for it. I would LOVE to see Ruud keep his @R$$ on the bench because McCarthy seems to be a big upgrade.

by b-riddle on Nov 14, 2011 10:17 AM CST up reply actions