Tennessee Titans in the lead for Damon Harrison
By John Laird
According to a report, the Tennessee Titans are in the lead for the services of nose tackle Damon Harrison.
This past season, the Tennessee Titans ranked a respectable 12th in the league in total defense but a not-so-impressive 18th against the run.
New York Jets nose tackle Damon Harrison would immediately bolster the defense and would make Tennessee’s front seven among the best in the league.
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Jason Cole of Bleacher Report has reported that the Tennessee Titans are in the lead for Damon Harrison due to them being the only one willing to pay the money he desires. If the Titans do in fact acquire Damon Harrison, that would be a huge boost to their defense.
Having Harrison in the middle of any defense is great. Harrison is a big man listed a 6’4″ with 340 pounds to his frame. He isn’t an elite pass rusher, only registering one-half sack this past season. What Harrison brings to a defense is just being a huge wall in the middle of the defensive line.
‘Snacks’ would force all run flow outside. Right onto the laps of outside linebackers Derrick Morgan and Brian Orakpo, who both set the edge against the run extremely well. Harrison would also allow Avery Williamson and Wesley Woodyard to make more plays by holding two blockers at the line of scrimmage.
The four-year pro plays low and eats blocks all day. He does have some quickness to him, allowing him to create constant penetration. Harrison requires two blockers every time the opponent decides to run the ball, freeing up linebackers and other defensive lineman to come up and plug all holes.
Having Damon Harrison in Nashville would put a big cheesy grin on Titans defensive lineman Jurrell Casey. He’s been a good player ever since he came out of USC, but has never truly had another player on the defensive lineman who is just as talented. Although Casey and Harrison are completely different defensive tackles, they would compliment one another extremely well.
On running downs, while Harrison attracts the double team, that allows Casey to cause havoc in the opponents back field. On the other hand, when it’s a pass play, Casey would be fighting the double team, allowing Harrison to just man handle the center and drive him right into the quarterbacks lap.
Dick LeBeau would finally get his Casey Hampton whom he had in Pittsburgh. Hampton and Harrison are extremely similar players. All they do is hold their ground vs double teams and cause problems. Harrison would give LeBeau great flexibility in play calling knowing the middle of the line is secured.
Damon Harrison also fills a void for the Titans. Both current nose tackles, Woods and Hill, are set to hit free agency. With the Titans only having preliminary talks with Woods, the chances of them signing either or is slim at this point.
With their being no elite defensive tackles in the draft, look for the Titans to add “Snacks” Harrison to bolster a defense that’s in dire need.
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Harrison would instantly jolt the Titans front seven into the elite category. With a solid combination of run stuffers and pass rushers, if the Titans can add another corner and a solid starting safety, look for their defense to make a drastic jump in 2016.