In the 2018 NFL Draft, the Tennessee Titans selected Boston College pass-rusher Harold Landry in the second-round with the hopes he would help improve their sack totals. Although he exhibited flashes in his rookie season, Landry is hoping to explode this season with the Titans.
Cameron Wake’s influence
This week is the last round of OTAs before mandatory minicamps start next week. Harold Landry says newest Tennessee Titans player Cameron Wake should help him become more of an all-around player.
“I would say it’s definitely coming along,” Landry said during his press conference on Tuesday. “With the addition of Cameron Wake, I’ve got to be able to go on both sides no matter the situation, I think it’s definitely coming along. My overall ability to build strength and explosiveness this offseason plays a part with that as well, and my technique as well.
In 15 games in 2018, Landry registered 44 tackles, 4.5 sacks and a game-changing forced fumble against Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz. Landry’s forced fumble was the catalyst in the Titans 26-23 victory in Week 4.
Departures of Orakpo and Morgan
This offseason, Landry added around 10 pounds of muscle as he believes it will help with his adjustment to the league. With Brian Orakpo and Derrick Morgan no longer on the roster, the Titans will lean even more on Landry’s production this upcoming season.
“No one sets higher expectations for me than myself,” Landry said. “I expect a lot from myself. That’s why I take this game so seriously. … I expect myself to be a game changer, a playmaker out on the field that guys can look at me and not say, ‘oh, he can just get the job done.’ I want to get the job done, and make plays be able to create turnovers, help our defense out to give our offense as many chances as possible.”
Because of his high expectations, Landry spent a lot of time at the Tennessee Titans facility this offseason working on his game. He also took time to study the best pass-rushers in the league.
“Our coaches did a good job, “of putting clips of Khalil Mack, Von [Miller], Dee Ford,” Landry said. All these different types of moves that I can start putting into my game on my iPad and me being able to watch them every single day and then go out on the field and work it live with the strength staff that we have here.”
Tennessee’s defense was solid last season as they finished eighth in total yards per game (333.4) and third in points per game (18.9). However, the Titans only created 17 turnovers, which was 22nd in the NFL.
Coach Vrabel weighs in
Can Landry be the key to creating more havoc in the backfield? Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel says he certainly notices a difference in Landry this offseason.
“I do know that [Landry] has put a lot of time in and he’s worked hard with Frank [Piraino] and our weight staff,” said Vrabel. “He was in here a lot, and he understands, I think, after his first year in the NFL that players are bigger, they’re just stronger, and that he probably was going to have to be a little bigger and stronger himself to be able to withstand and be productive for us throughout the season.”
No one knows how the 2019 season will turn out for Landry, but it appears he is putting himself in position to succeed. The Tennessee Titans could certainly use a big season from their second-year pass-rusher.