Gray: This is Ayers’ year

Discussion in 'Tennessee Titans and NFL Talk' started by Titans Insider, Jul 30, 2013.

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  1. Titans Insider

    Titans Insider Titans News

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    Titans linebacker Akeem Ayers had by all accounts a very good season in 2012, when he led the Titans with 110 tackles, tied for second on the team with six sacks and added eight passes defensed.

    But Titans defensive coordinator Jerry Gray sees reason to believe that 2013 – Ayers’ third year in the league — will be the year that Ayers really takes off.

    “I think this will be his year because when you look at Ayers as a rookie, he really wouldn’t even come talk to the defensive coordinator,” Gray said. “In his second year, he started talking a little bit more and now, he’s already come in and said,`Jerry, I like this and that.’

    “That’s when guys understand who they are. They’re not trying to please everybody. They’re trying to please themselves and it’s your job as a coach to say, `This is what that guy is telling me, so believe it.’”

    Ayers was used more and more in pass-rushing situations as the 2012 season progressed, posting five of his sacks in the final nine games.

    Expect more of the same this year, whether Ayers lines up as a defensive end or as a linebacker.

    “We’ve got to find ways to get him rushing because he’s a big-body guy that has the athletic ability that can win one-on-one,” Gray said. “Let’s put him in a position to where he can help this team win some football games.”

    To that end, Gray watched all of the Denver Broncos’ 2012 tapes during the offseason, taking note of how the Broncos finished tied for the NFL lead in sacks with 52. Denver got a lot of production out of Von Miller (18.5 sacks) and Elvis Dumervil (11 sacks), two players who – like Ayers – can swing between linebacker and defensive end.

    “I thought they did a terrific job on defense with their packages,” Gray said of the Broncos. “They have some special pass-rush guys also. But they played linebacker, they were linebacker-type guys. We’ve got some similarities, so hopefully we can create some similarities to what they did last year.”

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    Source: Titans Insider
     
  2. The Hammer

    The Hammer Ace Degenerate

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    I have been expecting a Pro-Bowl season from Ayers.
     
    • High Five High Five x 1
  3. Brew City

    Brew City Case Race Champion

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    This is the year we put it all together. At least we better. I have $400 in bets this year that we do better than the Colts.
     
  4. ScotTitan

    ScotTitan Starter

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    I have quite a bit of cash behind the titans finishing with an equal too or better record than the Pats.....I have a lot of hope this year.
     
  5. JCBRAVE

    JCBRAVE goTitans 2019 Survivor Champion

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    Jerry Gray said the same stuff last year, he always says intriguing things in the Summer, but come September and his stupid ass has Ayers sitting in the flats or wasting some other guys talents having him 30-yards off the line of scrimmage.

    Jerry Gray oh how I loath you. Just leave, please....
     
    • High Five High Five x 1
  6. xpmar9x

    xpmar9x The Real Slim Shady

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    I'm hoping Ayers hits the 100+ tackles & 10+ sacks benchmark.
     
    • High Five High Five x 1
  7. The Hammer

    The Hammer Ace Degenerate

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    [​IMG]
     
    • High Five High Five x 3
  8. JCBRAVE

    JCBRAVE goTitans 2019 Survivor Champion

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    He should, him and brown both could have 10+ sacks if things are done right.
     
  9. Scarecrow

    Scarecrow All-Pro

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    I think Morgan can get 7 this year
     
  10. ImATitan

    ImATitan Pro Bowler

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    I think a 20 sack mark combined by Ayers & Brown is possible.
     
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