Tennessee defense relishing role in Titans' 3-1 start

08.10.2007 15:00 Sport and Travel - Source: USA Today

"The best play I've seen by a defensive lineman, ever," Titans linebacker Keith Bulluck said after Tennessee's 20-13 victory against Atlanta at LP Field. "That's athletic, it's game-changing, it's everything."

BOX SCORE: Titans 20, Falcons 13

With two minutes left and Atlanta with first-and-goal at Tennessee's 1-yard line, Haynesworth guessed right on the snap count and vaulted over the Falcons offensive line. Byron Leftwich, having replaced Joey Harrington at quarterback, had no time to react and fumbled what was supposed to be a pitchout to Warrick Dunn.

Dunn recovered the ball at the 9-yard line, but Atlanta couldn't overcome its lost opportunity. Leftwich threw two wayward passes and then ended the game on his back, sacked by Kyle Vanden Bosch.

"I've never really seen that done before," Atlanta coach Bobby Petrino said of Haynesworth's play. "They had a guy leapfrog our offensive guard and center and get hold of Byron before he could get around to make the pitch."

Said Haynesworth: "On the goal line, they're going to try to take your legs out, so I figured instead of trying to drive through two short guys, I might as well go over the top of them."

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Haynesworth's leap was one of several clutch performances by the Tennessee defense on a day when its offense and special teams floundered.

Vince Young threw three interceptions, a LenDale White fumble was returned for a touchdown, and Tennessee fumbled away one punt return and allowed the Falcons a 49-yard gain on a fake punt.

Tennessee's miscues gave Atlanta six second-half drives that began in Titans territory. But Atlanta squeezed just three points out of all those opportunities against Tennessee's resurgent defense.

"We don't like being the 32nd (-ranked) defense in the league, like we were last year," Haynesworth said. "We have a huge chip on our shoulder, maybe even a boulder, that we're going to stop the run and get after the quarterback."

Pressuring the quarterback has been Tennessee's most consistent attribute while getting off to a 3-1 start. Haynesworth, at tackle, is lined up on the right side next to end Vanden Bosch, who had six solo tackles Sunday.

Tennessee totaled seven quarterback hits Sunday, including three by left end Antwan Odom, who's been getting freed up by the havoc created by Haynesworth and Vanden Bosch .

The Titans defense scored the go-ahead touchdown when safety Vincent Fuller ran back an interception 76 yards.

"Our pass rush is incredible right now. That's our best pass coverage," Fuller said. "Albert is playing great. He came into this season with something to prove."

That's a reference to Haynesworth's 2006 season, when he was suspended five games for stomping the face of Dallas offensive lineman Andre Gurode. It was the biggest penalty ever levied by the NFL for on-field misconduct.

Haynesworth was asked about that ugly outburst often during training camp, but he said that recently, the line of questions has shifted.

"I've been saying to myself all week that everybody is saying, 'You're playing like one of the best defensive linemen in the National Football League,' " Haynesworth said. "If I'm going to consider myself something like that, I've got to keep making plays."

Haynesworth says that, so far, this is the best of his six NFL seasons.

"I've never had a complete season," Haynesworth said. "It was always some little issue, something with the back, the knee or elbow, or something like that."

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