Titans: Pressuring passer worth run-defense risks

TheTitans' increased attention to getting after the quarterback has paid off in pressure and sacks over the past couple of weeks.

But it also might be hampering the ability to stop the run at times.

Defensive coordinator Ray Horton has made no secret of the fact the Titans have increased their blitzing over the past couple of games. The Titans got a good amount of pressure on Baltimore quarterback Joe Flacco two games ago and sacked Ben Roethlisberger five times on Monday.

But Ravens running back Justin Forsett went over 100 yards against the Titans and Le'Veon Bell went over 200 yards against Tennessee. Overall, the Titans are now second-to-last in the league in rushing defense.

"It can (impact the run-defense negatively), no question about it," Horton said. "You have to be conscious of what you're doing because sometimes you can blitz two guys to the left and (the opposing offense) runs to the right. You're putting a lot of stress on the defense. That has happened a couple of times."

Horton still feels pressuring the quarterback is a priority.

"It's always been that way for me," Horton said. "If you don't hit the quarterback, I think you risk getting your butt kicked.

"What do you weigh (in your mind)? Do you weigh hitting the quarterback versus maybe giving up a seven-yard run? I would take the quarterback hit for the seven-yard run all the time. I won't take the quarterback hit for a 20-yard run, though."

Horton said the Titans' defense is becoming the kind of unit that will likely blitz – either run-blitz or pass-blitz – on 40 to 50 percent of the defensive snaps.

"We're doing a couple things to make our team better and part of that is blitzing everybody, so they have to account for everybody," Horton said. "We're evolving into what we can do to get more pressure on the quarterback."