Newly hired Tennessee Titans defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson was one of the most sought after defensive coordinator candidates in the NFL this offseason. It's not hard to see why.
Wilson was introduced to Titans media with an introductory press conference on Wednesday and made a very strong first impression. To me, Wilson came off as very impassioned and intentional.
I left the press conference with a strong understanding of what Tennessee's defensive philosophy is going to be under Wilson.
Attacking on defense
Wilson would not commit to a base defense when asked about it during the press conference. With free agency and the NFL Draft still ahead, the Titans' roster is far from complete. Wilson is hoping to cater his scheme to the strengths of his players once he has a more complete view of his defense.
"Football, it's not about scheme. It's about the players," Wilson said on Wednesday. "So we have to figure out what they do well and then we'll put the scheme around them to allow their talents to flourish."
We may not know if the Titans are going to line up in 3-4 or 4-3 more frequently, but we definitely know the style of football this defense is going to play. Wilson made it abundantly clear in his press conference that he believes in defenses attacking rather than defending.
"General George Patton said this: 'Nobody ever defended anything successful. You're going to attack and attack some more.' We're going to be an attacking defense," said Wilson. "We're going to be violent in our approach. We're going to be smart. We're going to be intelligent. We're never going to compromise for competing. And that's the style of brand of football that we're going to play around here."
Blitz packages
What does that look like? For one, a lot of blitzes. Wilson was mentored by Gregg Williams and Todd Bowles in his younger years - two defensive coordinators known for blitzing at a high rate. The Titans are going to bring pressure, attack, and disturb opposing offenses rather than reacting to what is thrown at them.
"Just like anything, you learn from the people that you've been around. And obviously, I've been around a lot of great coordinators. So a lot of things that they do is entrenched in my being. A lot of the philosophies they've had, I believe in. So we're going to blitz, but when we blitz, it's going to be smart, it's going to be educated, it's going to be at the right times. It's not going to be reckless," said Wilson.
As for how his defense is going to create turnovers? Wilson's message was refreshing, and probably not something Titans fans are used to hearing.
"The ball travels further and faster in the air than it does the ground. So we have to play outstanding pass defense," said Wilson. It makes sense given his background as a defensive backs coach and defensive pass game coordinator. But still, Titans fans have been listening to "stop the run" for years while the team's cornerbacks are getting beat for explosive plays at unacceptable rates.
"We've got to keep the ball in front of us. But within doing that, we have to attack the ball with violence," Wilson added on creating turnovers. "The way you get takeaways in this game is population and technique and the manner in which you play. So the same philosophies they have, in terms of the Ravens defense, is going to be the same philosophy I carry."
Seeing as the Baltimore Ravens had the most takeaways in the league and the NFL's best turnover differential in 2023, I'd say that's a philosophy that will be welcomed in Music City.
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