Challenge for young defense? Avoiding lapses, letdowns

Coming into this season, the defense with five new starters was the biggest question for this rebuilding team, especially after being ripped 34-7 in the opener by Pittsburgh. But the Titans showed they could shut down the run against Baltimore and held St. Louis to 5 yards in the first quarter.

Linebacker Keith Bulluck said they still have plenty of room for improvement.

“Our defense has definitely grown. Last week I was proud we were able to make that stop to get off the field on third down and give our offense a chance,” Bulluck said of the 31-27 loss at St. Louis. “This week’s another big test.”

That would be the Indianapolis Colts (3-0) and two-time MVP Peyton Manning, probably the best quarterback in the NFL at finding and picking apart a defense’s weaknesses. He holds the NFL record with 49 touchdown passes in a season, which includes five against Tennessee.

Starting fast seems to be a big key for these Titans (1-2).

They smothered Jamal Lewis on Sept. 18 and never let the Ravens running back find any rhythm in managing only 23 yards by halftime. Lewis finished with 9 yards rushing, and the Titans won 25-10. Against St. Louis last week, they held the Rams to 5 yards total offense in the first quarter with a turnover.

Now they are allowing 107 yards rushing and 322 yards offense per game.

“It’s always important to get a fast start,” said safety Tank Williams, who had that interception. “It definitely helps us. (Indianapolis), that’s one team you definitely don’t want to let get a fast start against you because they can keep pouring it on.”

Coach Jeff Fisher said Thursday that the Titans statistically have improved after going sackless in the season opener against Pittsburgh. They’re hitting and pressuring the quarterback much more with 10 sacks in the past two games.

He’s also happy with the improvement at cornerback with Andre Woolfolk settling in and rookie Pacman Jones apparently ready for his first NFL start Sunday. But good pressure won’t mean much against Manning, who is the only quarterback who hasn’t been sacked this season.

“(Facing) this offense is all about managing the game and trying to get them in third down. Trying to get them off the field and minimizing gains. They’re exceptional in both phases; the run game and the pass game. Peyton puts them usually in the right position,” Fisher said.

Indianapolis coach Tony Dungy has been impressed with the Titans, saying they are rushing the passer as well as when they had Jevon Kearse.

“They are playing the way they played three years ago in terms of just pressuring the passer and playing a lot more man coverage. I think once those young defensive backs get in a flow in things and get a feel for how fast the ball is coming out, they are going to be even better,” Dungy said.

The only question may be how soon.