Jeffery Simmons is still waiting for help as Mike Borgonzi’s biggest defensive additions have produced too little pass rush and too few plays on the ball

By PAUL KUHARSKY

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Can Jeffery Simmons get some help?

Through five games, the Titans’ returns from their biggest outside acquisitions on defense have been far below expectations.

John Franklin-Myers, Jermaine Johnson, Cor’Dale Flott and Alontae Taylor account for 36 percent of the team’s starting defensive lineup, but have hardly brought the outside impact the Titans advertised.

Jeffery Simmons and the Titans Defensive line
Jeffery Simmons, in his red sleeves, needs more help / Courtesy Tenessee Titans

While Robert Saleh and Cam Ward are at the head of the line for criticism as the Titans stand 0-5, Mike Borgonzi signed that four-pack. His overall roster construction deserves serious examination. Johnson was a sensible trade, as T’Vondre Sweat was not a fit in Saleh’s defense.

But Franklin-Myers, Flott and Taylor each got $42 million guaranteed. The Titans are preaching patience and it is early. It will take quite a turnaround for them to look worth it.

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Paul Kuharsky has covered the Tennessee Titans since 1996, first for The Tennessean, then ESPN.com and now independently at PaulKuharsky.com. He served on the Pro Football Hall of Fame selection committee for 11 years and is the longest-tenured Titans beat reporter in the franchise's history.