Byard said to be leader, devouring playbook
Dean Pees isn’t into comparing players, past or present.
But the Titans’ first-year defensive coordinator, who previously coached for the Ravens and Patriots, has been impressed with All-Pro safety Kevin Byard as the former MTSU star enters his third year in the NFL.
“You don’t have to be in the league very long. There’s certain guys that just have an innate ability to be leaders. Hopefully we’ve got a lot of them. And Kevin’s certainly one of them,” Pees said Wednesday. “I think he’s taking charge back there. He is very, very conscientious, and I love that, especially with a safety.”
Byard tied for the league lead with eight interceptions last season. He had 10 total takeaways.
Pees said the Titans have installed a little more than a third of the playbook and are hoping to have it all installed by the end of these voluntary offseason practices. It won’t be perfected, of course. Byard is ahead of the curve.
“He studies as much at home as he does here,” Pees said. “It’s not like, ‘OK, I’ll leave the building and I’m forgetting about football.’ He’ll come in and tell me – we always try to keep ahead of them and let them know what’s coming in in the next day, and he’ll come back the next day and have a question on something we haven’t even covered yet, which tells me then he’s doing all the right things.
“He’s looking at the things; he’s studying it. He’s a professional. That’s what pros do. This isn’t 20-hour rule with college football anymore. This is their profession. And he is very much a pro.”
Mike Vrabel breaks up fight
Titans coach Mike Vrabel broke up a fight between defensive end Matt Dickerson, an undrafted rookie from UCLA, and veteran offensive tackle John Theus, recently claimed off waivers from the Saints.
Vrabel sent them both into the building, ending their practice. He said players are ejected from games for fighting, and the Titans have the same policy in practice.