Tennessee Titans Defensive Preview Keith Bulluck Albert Haynesworth

After finishing 29th in points allowed and 19th in total yards given up last season, the Tennessee Titans' defense is aiming toward improvement in 2006. The rebuilding unit has plenty of work to do. Thus, it must take baby steps for the future. Without the "D" getting significantly better this year, don't look for the 4 Brett Favre White jersey
Titans do much better than their 4-12 record from a season ago.Tennessee's current starting defensive ends consist of Kyle Vanden Bosch and Travis LaBoy. Last season the formerly less-than-mediocre Vanden Bosch shocked the NFL world, accumulating career-highs in both tackles (65) and sacks (12 ?). Prior to 2005, the 27-year-old had just four lifetime sacks in as many seasons with the Arizona Cardinals. Clearly, his move to Nashville energized the former Nebraska Cornhusker, but expecting the same kind of production this year is probably not realistic. The 6-foot-4, 278-pounder needs to prove himself again this campaign before anyone truly buys into him as a top-notch end.Much like Vanden Bosch, the 260-pound LaBoy took major steps last year. It was only the former Hawaii star's second season, but he nearly doubled his sack total from his rookie slate, jumping from 3 ? to 6 ?. In the process, LaBoy convinced many in Tennessee that he can someday be the real deal. If the former second-rounder continues on the same path, expect him to near the double-digit sack plateau in his third year.At the tackle position, the Titans bring plenty of upside, exactly like the DE position.The first starter of the duo is Randy Starks, an absolute menace up front capable of making plenty of game-changing plays. In '05, his second year, he improved from 28 tackles to 47 and racked up 3 ? sacks. Starks, an ex-third-rounder out of Maryland, has the tools to continue improving.Tennessee's second DT is one of its foremost leaders on the defensive side of the ball, Albert Haynesworth. The 6-6, 320-pounder finally lived up to his first-round potential last year, piling up career-bests in total tackles (52) and sacks (three). Haynesworth has gone from locker room distraction to strong veteran presence since entering the league in 2002. Still only 25 years old, Haynesworth is becoming a wise sage on the Titans' young defense.The Titans think they bolstered their linebacking corps during the offseason by adding four-year veteran David Thornton. The former Indianapolis Colt still has more than enough to prove, but he should become a better player in a group with solid MLB Peter Sirmon and weak-side 'backer Keith Bulluck, who is one of the absolute finest in the NFL.Cornerback seems like the area of highest concern for defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz. Second-year man Reynaldo Hill will once again join fellow pro sophomore Pacman Jones at the position. Surprisingly, Hill, a seventh-rounder, tallied a trio of interceptions in his first season, showing plenty of young promise along the way. However, he still needs to work on becoming a better cover corner. Jones, the sixth overall pick in the '05 draft, was somewhat of a disappointment on the defensive side of the ball, forcing no turnovers in 15 games (13 starts).Free safety has clearly improved for Tennessee, as it said goodbye to average starter Tank Williams in the offseason and welcomed in 206-pounder Chris Hope from the Super Bowl-winning Pittsburgh Steelers. The hard-hitting 25-year-old broke out last year, recording personal bests in tackles (96) and interceptions (three). Hope's game tends to be inconsistent at times, but he's quite an improvement over the departed Williams. More importantly, he's missed just two games in four NFL seasons, demonstrating wonderful durability.Teaming with Hope at safety is SS Lamont Thompson, a 28-year-old with the ability to perform at high levels on any given Sunday. The ex-Washington State standout followed a four-interception '04 campaign with just one pick last season, letting down himself and the Titans' defense in the process. However, Thompson does have what it takes to rebound and gain back his playmaking status. Whether or not he will is going to be played out over the course of this season.Depth-wise, the Titans' defense doesn't have many players worthy of filling in and playing to an at least decent level in the starting lineup. Ends Bo Schobel and Antwan Odom are the top duo in the front seven, with corner Andre Woolfolk emerging as the best from the Jets 6 Sanchez AFL50th jersey
secondary.Final prediction: When it's all said and done, expect the Tennessee Titans' defensive unit to improve slightly from its lower-echelon '05 mark. Will the group approach the top half of the league? Most likely, no. However, the defense will have some games during the year that it will be responsible for winning on this improving team. Ultimately, the unit has turned the page on last season's debacle, but will still have plenty of lessons to be learned this year.--Connor J. Byrne can be reached at .Stay tuned to Realfootball365.com for the Tennessee Titans' upcoming 2006 offensive preview.