The Tennessee Titans’ pass-rush has been non-existent this season, as the team currently sits in the NFL cellar in the sacks department, totaling a league-worst 14 in 13 games.
During the offseason, general manager Jon Robinson tried to address what was one of the biggest needs for this team by signing Vic Beasley and Jadeveon Clowney in free agency.
However, both signings failed. Beasley had all sorts of issues and was released after five games, while Clowney is now out for the season after undergoing knee surgery. Beasley and Clowney combined for zero sacks.
On top of that, third-year outside linebacker Harold Landry has been a major disappointment. It was hoped he’d at least total double-digit sacks in 2020 after finishing with nine last season, but he has just 4.5 going into Week 15.
So, what’s the problem with the Titans’ pass-rush overall? Well, according to outside linebackers coach Shane Bowen, it’s a mixture of coaching and players not winning their matchups:
Shane Bowen on why the #Titans’ sack numbers have been so low: We haven’t done a good enough job getting players in position to have 1-on-1 matchups, and they’re not winning enough when we do.
— Luke Worsham (@luke_worsham) December 17, 2020
One issue Tennessee’s pass-rushers have had is when they do actually get pressure, they haven’t been able to finish, which is something Bowen also addressed on Thursday.
Shane Bowen on missed sacks last wk for #Titans: There were a few missed opportunities where we probably could have gotten the guy down but we didn’t. We just have to find ways to win 1 on 1 matchups and corral the guy and get him down.
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) December 17, 2020
At this late stage in the season, there’s nothing the Titans can do to improve their pass-rush other than hoping that the players already on the team can play better.
Tennessee will need Landry, along with Derick Roberson, to step up big time if this problem is going to get fixed.
