How Jerry Gray Could Change The Tennessee Titans Defense in 2011

The coaching vacancies are quickly being filled by new head coach Mike Munchak and Jerry Gray as the new defensive coordinator might be the most intriguing addition.

Gray's NFL coaching career actually began with the Titans organization as a defensive backs coach during the 1999-2000 season. It's the same season that the Titans made their Super Bowl run.

As a defensive coordinator in the NFL, Gray has a pretty solid track record.

During his four seasons as defensive coordinator of the Buffalo Bills, he oversaw a defense that was one of the better defenses in the league for much of his time there.

The Titans suffered a huge dip on the defensive side of the ball last year, as they finished 26th in total defense last season.

Defense use to be the cornerstone of this team, but after Jim Schwartz departed for Detroit, things haven't been the same.

If the Titans make some smart draft picks for their defense this April, Gray has the coaching ability to make the defense this team's strength once again.

Expect Gray to make this defensive unit a lot more disciplined than former defensive coordinator Chuck Cecil.

A lot of the time, the players will mirror their coach and if the players mirror Gray's coaching style, then this will be a disciplined defensive unit.

Those untimely penalties should dramatically decrease with Gray running things.

Gray said in his introduction as the Titans defensive coordinator that he plans to use a coaching style that plays into what the current personnel does best.

When you first think about the current Titans' defense, you think physical. Defensive backs Michael Griffin, Chris Hope and Cortland Finnegan are known for their physical style of play.

If Gray sticks to the words of his press conference, then the Titans will most likely use a Cover-Two system of defense that plays into the hands of physical defensive backs.

The linebacker position still needs a lot of work as a unit and that will probably be one of Gray's biggest tasks for this offseason.

It's unlikely that Gray will get back the Titans' most talented linebacker in Stephen Tulloch, who led the team in tackles last season.

The defensive line also has some holes in it, but it also has talent, with players such as Jason Jones and Derrick Morgan looking to make an impact.

With Gray's experience as a defensive backs coach in the NFL, I see him immediately beginning to work on a secondary that is, frankly, one of the NFL's worst.

This team has the corners to be a respected secondary and now they also have a great coach to go with it.

Alterraun Verner showed a lot of promise in his rookie season and we all know what Finnegan is capable of.

Gray has the defensive tools to be successful when the Titans return to the football field, whenever that may be.

The defense isn't the only unit with a new sheriff in town. Expect big changes from the Titans offense next season as well, with new offensive coordinator Chris Palmer looking to improve that side of the ball.