Alright, folks, the Tennessee Titans are facing some serious questions out there on the field, and a massive one just jumped straight to the top of the list: their secondary. After a preseason clash against the San Francisco 49ers, it’s clear there’s a big issue when the 49ers’ *backups* had more success throwing and catching than the Titans’ *first-unit offense* did. That’s not a typo, that’s what actually went down.
Saleh Pulls No Punches on Man Coverage
Titans coach Robert Saleh didn’t mince words after an August 19th practice, pinpointing the exact problem plaguing the defense. “A lot of the issues last week were in 1-on-1 situations,” Saleh admitted, laying it out plain and simple. He stressed that while zone coverage and underneath help have their place, to truly win in this league, you *have* to dominate man coverage. You’ve got to win those battles at the line of scrimmage, 1-on-1. That’s the core of it, right? It’s not just about scheme, it’s about individual guys winning their matchups when it matters most.
Depth was always a worry for what was already a pretty thin secondary, but now the spotlight is shining hard on the starters. Cornerback Cor’Dale Flott has taken the brunt of the criticism for his performance against San Fran, and Alontae Taylor wasn’t exactly immune to it either. When your coach is calling out 1-on-1 issues, it’s a direct challenge to every single defensive back on that roster. They know it, the coaches know it, and now we all know it.
Ward’s Gains, Secondary’s Growing Pains
Here’s where things get really interesting, and maybe a little concerning for the Titans faithful. Quarterback Cam Ward has noticeably sharpened his accuracy over the three practices held since that 49ers game, a good sign for the offense, no doubt. But Saleh himself hinted at the flip side of that coin. Ward’s improvement might just be a red flag for the defensive backs he’s carving up in practice.
Think about it: if your QB is looking significantly better in practice, is it because he’s truly elite and ready to light up the league, or is it because the guys he’s throwing against aren’t making him work hard enough? Saleh’s assessment suggests the latter. He said it himself: “Everything has just got to get tighter.” That’s a clear mandate for the secondary to step up their game, immediately. They’re getting tested by their own guy, and right now, it seems like Ward is winning those battles more often than not. This isn’t just about one bad preseason game anymore, it’s about what’s happening day-in and day-out on the practice field.
The pressure is absolutely on for the Titans’ secondary. With coach Saleh emphasizing the critical need to win 1-on-1 man coverage, and their own quarterback looking sharp against them in practice, they’ve got to figure this out fast. Their ability to compete this season hinges on this unit tightening things up and proving they can handle the heat. Every snap in the coming practices and remaining preseason games will be crucial. Can they answer the call?
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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