For Jon Robinson, it was a no brainer on whether the team should sign Jadeveon Clowney or not. The Tennessee Titans’s pass rush was a living example of inconsistency last season, and that same inconsistency costed them greatly, robbing them of a chance to play in Super Bowl 54.
So instead of sitting on his hands, and failing to find the edge rusher that can elevate the play of an entire defense, Jon Robinson did the opposite of that, and found his guy to lead this edge rush group just a mere 8 days before the season opener in Denver.
Jadeveon Clowney has told Titans officials he plans to sign with them, per sources. He has also texted with his new teammates his enthusiasm for joining the team. Clowney is expected to travel to Nashville soon.
— Dianna Russini (@diannaESPN) September 6, 2020
A Star Like Clowney Will Make Everyone’s Jobs Much Easier
It was a bit of a whirlwind honestly.
For months, the Titans waited for Clowney to make his decision on which team he wanted to take his talents to next. From the constant rumors, to a new report being made each day, the entire process was exhausting I’m sure for Jon Robinson and company.
But instead of panicking, and making a move out of sheer restlessness and anxiety, Robinson exuded patience, and got his guy right when the team needed him most.
However, let’s not get it twisted, Robinson didn’t have much of a choice on whether to chase Clowney or not. It simply had to happen, not only because of the lack of dynamic talent at the OLB position, but also due to the fact that this defense needed something big to finally get it over the hump.
Dean Pees led a good Titans defense over the last few years, but it always lacked the necessary amount of star power that always somehow finds its way on Super Bowl winning defenses.
It was always full of team first guys, who weren’t always the most talented, but were asked to do their jobs for the sake of the team.
Sounds eerily similar to the infamous Bill Belichick mantra right?
But that type of mindset can only go so far. Its only succeeded this long in New England, simply because Belichick is the greatest coach, and teacher in the history of this beautiful game.
Dean Pees isn’t a slouch, he’s far from it actually, but he obviously isn’t on the same level of someone like Bill Belichick. It’s not some sort of shot, it’s just straight up facts.
So when you try to apply that same mantra without the proven master of it, it just won’t provide the same results the original put out before.
It’s understandable why some guys ended up being the wrong pieces of the puzzle, that just couldn’t fit in to bring this entire vision to fruition. They’re just not talented enough to bring out that eye flashing amount of production, or they just can’t do their job so well to the point it makes things ten times easier for everyone else.
But that’s why you go out and get these star players, so you can slide those pieces in to fit and increase the chances of your grand plan succeeding.
Clowney is one of those star players, where you can slide him into your defensive puzzle, and depend on him to be an integral part of your scheme.
Not only that, but the rest of your defense benefits from a player of Clowney’s caliber.
Other edge rushers on this defense, will find life to be a little easier with Clowney’s presence alone being able to take up double teams in pass rushing situations week after week. You also can’t forget the area where Clowney is at his best, which is blowing up the run, and disrupting the rhythm of offenses on early downs.
You just might be able to witness various possibilities unfold within this scheme as well. Clowney’s athleticism and power makes him a matchup nightmare for almost any offense in football, combine that with the multiple sub packages the Titans love to use to rattle opposing offenses, and you just might be cooking with some dangerous, in a good way.
Having all the talent the Titans possess on defense right now, then adding Clowney, just makes it seem like this defense is totally unfair.
Front multiplicity is a common theme in this Titans defense, so you should look to see where the Titans line Clowney up, and how often they line him up in a specific area.
Clowney can use his traits as an elite athlete, to beat up on tackles on the outside, and even use that quickness of his to cause problems for interior offensive lineman.
To put it bluntly, the Titans got a really good football player, and it should be interesting to see how Clowney impacts this defense in more ways than one.
Especially now that he’s reunited with his old buddy Mike Vrabel, who was on the Houston Texans’s staff when Clowney accumulated 9.5 sacks and 21 tackles for loss.
Both still stand as Clowney’s single season career highs.
Jon Robinson Finally Lands a Big Free Agent
If you’ve been paying attention over the years, you’d know that the Titans haven’t been all that lucky when it comes to acquiring big ticket free agents.
There was the Ndamukong Suh saga, in which the Titans failed to secure the defensive tackle’s services. There was also the Antonio Brown mess, which ended in failure for the Titans as well.
I can even go back some years before that, and find a couple of big misses for the Titans in free agency.
Peyton Manning, Dont’a Hightower, etc.
But now finally, the Titans can confidently say they secured a big time free agent, and in a potential Super Bowl window as well.
Clowney’s Addition Makes The Titans a Legit AFC Contender
You’d have to be blind if you couldn’t see the massive upside this defense has with the addition of Jadeveon Clowney.
We already know the situation with the OLB group, and how Clowney’s addition is going to only elevate the play of every other player in that group.
But what about the rest of the defense?
Jeffery Simmons and DaQuan Jones combine to create an imposing interior defensive line, with Simmons bringing some added versatility now that he’s 100% healthy. It’ll be interesting to see how much they move him, along with Clowney around, since Simmons can jump outside and play a little 5-tech along with his natural position as a 3-tech.
Think about Rashaan Evans and Jayon Brown, and how those two played some good football as the season went along.
Tennessee Titans inside linebacker Jayon Brown (55) celebrates after breaking up a play by the Indianapolis Colts in the second half of an NFL football game. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
The secondary still looks good as well, with Malcom Butler and Adoree Jackson returning as your boundary corners, along with rookie Kristian Fulton, who should start out in the slot.
I don’t even have to explain the explosive situation on offense, since I’m sure you all understand the potential that lies there.
This roster is loaded at this point.
Which makes me believe, that this team is ready to jump into the top tier of AFC contenders. Now some important things have to go down in order for that jump to occur.
The offense, and the team in general, has to start the season off quicker. No more collective slow starts, no more relying on late season runs to get the chance to prove your selves in the playoffs, no more of the things that can be tied to the abysmal idea of mediocrity.
This team has the pieces, all that’s left to do is go out and earn what every man in that locker room wants.
A chance to hoist the Vince Lombardi trophy.
