Titans' Williamson not satisfied with rookie success

Avery Williamson exceeded expectations during his rookie season with the Titans.

After starting the final 12 games of the season, however, he's hardly taking anything for granted at the beginning of the offseason as he looks ahead to 2015.

"I feel like I have to come in and earn that spot back next year," Williamson said. "I am not going into next season thinking that is going to be my job automatically. That is why this offseason I have to put in a lot of work and be better."

Williamson, a fifth-round pick out of Kentucky, finished third on the Titans with 107 tackles in 2014 despite not starting the first four games of the season. Williamson moved into a starting spot in Week 5 against the Browns and quickly turned into one of the team's playmakers on defense.

In addition to racking up tackles, Williamson had three sacks, two fumble recoveries, eight quarterback pressures and eight tackles for loss.

Not bad for a guy who was expected to be a back-up for most of the year.

"I realized how fast your name can get called, and I wasn't expecting to play so soon, and wasn't expecting to be a starter," he said. "But my name was called, and you have to respond when you get your chance. That was the biggest surprise, and the rest took care of itself. I knew I was going to work hard and study hard, but you really have to be on point at all times."

Williamson, who grew up a big Titans fan in Milan, Tenn., was a team captain at Kentucky, where he led the team in tackles his last two seasons. He finished his career at Kentucky with 296 tackles, including double-digit tackles in 12 games.

He quickly impressed those around him. The Titans lost linebacker Zach Brown to a season-ending injury in Week One at Kansas City, and Zaviar Gooden didn't do enough to hold down the job when he got a chance. Williamson was next up.

"When he got a chance, he came in and made plays," defensive lineman Mike Martin said. "He started to become more vocal and doing better communication-wise, things that come with being a vet."

Said coach Ken Whisenhunt: "He has the players' respect already, there's no question. Just how he goes about his job and how he works. And then production."

Williamson posted double-digit sack totals in two games last season, including a 12-tackle performance at Baltimore on Nov. 9. In seven games, he had at least eight tackles.

Williamson knows he can do better, however.

"Getting off blocks sometimes, and just sometimes reading the quarterback's eyes. I left a couple of opportunities to get interceptions on the field,'' he said. "I feel like I was pretty good in the run game, but I have to get better at that as well."

Williamson said he needs to get stronger this offseason, and use better technique in 2015.

He'll improve with drills. In 2015 he wants to have a better idea of what's coming before the ball is snapped. But first, he has to win his job back, he said.

"For this season, my ceiling was to get some playing time and start off playing on special teams, and I really exceeded that,'' Williamson said. "Next year I want to do the same thing, but do it even better. I want to keep on perfecting my game and eliminate my mistakes and be a smarter football player."

Reach Jim Wyatt at 259-8015 or on Twitter @jwyattsports.