| If the Titans hope to get off the field quickly Sunday at Green Bay they must contain Randall Cobb on third downs. (AP) |
Tennessee Titans assistant secondary coach Steve Brown grew so close to Randall Cobb throughout the Packers’ receiver’s three seasons at the University of Kentucky that he practically considers him a son.
Brown vividly recalls seeing Cobb so enraged by several losses during his collegiate career that his eyes welled up with tears during his impassioned speeches to his teammates. Through it all, Cobb impressed the former Wildcats' defensive coordinator with his leadership, work ethic and selflessness.
“Everyone looked at him like the president was speaking,” Brown said. “They took it to heart. He basically took the team on his shoulders. People see his passion, and they don’t want to let him down.”
As the Titans prepare for one of the top offenses in the league this week, Brown is faced with the arduous task of helping devise a gameplan for the emerging slot receiver. Although Aaron Rodgers’ favorite target Jordy Nelson has been sidelined with a hamstring injury for the past two weeks, Cobb has stepped up with 13 catches for 217 yards.
The opponents have been different, but the results have been the same. On three occasions in the last three games, Rodgers has avoided third-down sacks by buying time in the pocket and fitting a throw into a tight window. Each time, Cobb has adjusted his route and made first-down catches of 30 yards or more.
Facing a third-and-6 from their 34 in the second quarter last week at Chicago, Cobb ran a slant-and-go as Rodgers escaped from the pocket. Rodgers’ ability to escape the rush gave Cobb time to gain separation along the right sideline. Rodgers somehow fit a pass between Bears DBs Major Wright, Kelvin Hayden and D.J. Moore for a 31-yard completion.
A week earlier, the Packers led the Lions 24-17 in the fourth quarter when Rodgers faced a critical third-and-11. Although the Lions dropped eight defenders into zone coverage, Rodgers again bought time to allow his receivers to get open. Cobb broke off his slant and pivoted to the outside for a 38-yard completion. In a Week 14 victory over the Vikings, Cobb gained separation on a drag route on a third-and-12 early in the fourth quarter. Rodgers eluded a rush and found Cobb for a 33-yard completion on the right sideline. The reception kept an 18-play, 11-minute drive alive.
“He really wants to get into my mind,” Rodgers said. “He understands the timing of routes, spacing and where he needs to be to get open. We try to get the ball in his hands, in space to give him some room to run and make some plays.”
Opposing teams have tried to combat the Packers’ attack by using a cover-2 shell with two deep safeties. The alignment has proven effective when Green Bay has used a combination route, with one receiver headed toward the middle on a slant and another to the outside in the flat.
In Week 1, 49ers LB Navorro Bowman faked a blitz and dropped into coverage to pick off a pass intended for Greg Jennings on a slant. In mid-November, Lions DB Jacob Lacey also dropped into zone coverage against a slant and intercepted a pass headed in Cobb’s direction. S Al Afalava opened his career with the Bears, a defense which is regarded for its ability to effectively run the cover-2.
“Rodgers does a great job of using audibles, he’ll know what defense you’re in,” Afalava said. “If he knows you’re in cover-2 he might check to a run or a play-action. It’s a matter of just studying him and executing.”
The Titans could also use LB Akeem Ayers as a spy to limit Rodgers’ ability to make plays with his legs. Ayers assumed the role when the Titans defeated the Steelers 26-23 in Week 6. Ben Roethlisberger threw for more than 360 yards, but only rushed once for 14 yards.
“If we’re in a spy, that’s going to be my deal to contain him and not let him get out of the pocket,” Ayers said.
Cobb is averaging 16.1 yards on third-down receptions and is ranked fifth in the NFC with 24 third-down catches. Cobb is also tied for second in the conference in third-down touchdown catches with four.
“On third down, the No. 1 receiver they’re looking for is No. 18 (Cobb),” Brown said. “The No. 2 guy is the quarterback with his feet.”
Injury Update: WR Kendall Wright missed Wednesday’s practice with sore ribs. Titans coach Mike Munchak indicated that it’s unlikely Wright will play vs. the Packers unless he improves significantly by the end of the week.
“He’s a great kid, if he’s not ready to go, you realize it is something that is very painful,” Munchak said. “It’s not something that will be more than one week.”
C Kevin Matthews (ankle), DE Scott Solomon (knee) and CB Ryan Mouton (hamstring) also missed practice. LB Colin McCarthy (concussion) and WR Damian Williams (hamstring) were limited. Williams is recovering more quickly from the injury than expected, Munchak said.
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