Munchak: Klug can still play role for Titans

With the Titans placing such a premium on size at defensive tackle, it’s easy to wonder where defensive tackle Karl Klug – who was only on the field for only 22 percent of the Titans’ defensive snaps last season – will fit in the coming year.

But Titans coach Mike Munchak said he still believes the 6-3, 280-pound Klug can find a spot, whether it’s aiding the pass rush at defensive tackle or helping stop the run at defensive end.

“I think he’s got to find that role,” Munchak said. “If we’re out there (against a two-back offense) and someone is trying to run the ball down our throat, he’s not necessarily the defensive tackle you want out there. But in this league, one week it’s that and the next week it’s no-huddle and spread offense, and all of a sudden he’s a good fit for what the team is doing.”

Klug hasn’t played much defensive end in either of his first two seasons, but that will likely change in 2013.

“He’s a guy that I think can play outside also,” Munchak said. “He’s more versatile that way. If you’re healthy inside maybe he can do some other things, because again, he’s 280 pounds. That’s a good-sized defensive end these days.

“So there are other things where he can fit in certain packages. We have a lot more packages and we have different groupings of guys depending on what the offense is doing and match-ups. So I think someone like him will always have a role for that reason.”

In his rookie season in 2011, Klug led the Titans with seven sacks, adding 10 quarterback pressures, 32 tackles and two forced fumbles. But the fifth-round draft pick slipped behind Mike Martin on the depth chart last year and finished with 3.5 sacks, five quarterback pressures, 12 tackles and zero forced fumbles.

“If we were facing teams like we were back in the day with (Cleveland) in our division and Pittsburgh, constantly two-backing and running it down your throat, then I think he’d have a hard time playing much football in that type of game,” Munchak said of Klug. “But the league isn’t that kind of way. You only get that so often, in certain spurts.”

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Posted In: Team News

Source: Titans Insider