Comics » Dean Pees’ retirement from his old job as defensive coordinato

Baltimore Ravens sure didn’t last very long. Not with Mike Vrabel pouncing on the chance to lure his former coach to work with him in Tennessee.Now the NFL schedule is giving the defensive coordinator a chance to try and slow down his old team on Sunday.“At some point in time when I do conclude my career Sheldrick Redwine Jersey ,” Pees said, “it will be to me a unique situation and a unique opportunity I was given to work for two guys that are great coaches and were great players for me, and for me then to kind of give back and the fact that I kind of know them so well. We’re on the same page as far as how you do things and that kind of stuff, it all kind of came from the same school.”Ravens coach John Harbaugh, who played for Pees at Miami (Ohio), hired his former defensive coordinator in 2010 as linebackers coach before turning over the defense to Pees in 2012 — a year Baltimore won the Super Bowl. Pees held that job through last season before retiring after 45 years as a coach.Vrabel, who played for Pees in New England, called Harbaugh and Ravens general manager Ozzie Newsome for permission to talk to the retired Pees once hired as the Titans head coach.Safety Eric Weddle said it was tough to see Pees join the Titans.“We were all happy for him, because we know how much he loves coaching,” Weddle said. “But he’s with them now. We appreciate what he did here, but we’re doing our thing now, and he’s doing his.”The Ravens replaced Pees, 69 Austin Seibert Jersey , by promoting Don “Wink” Martindale. Vrabel hired Pees to replace Dick LeBeau in Tennessee.“Replacing Dick LeBeau anywhere is not an easy thing to do, and I was very aware of that, but I felt like we needed a change,” Vrabel said. “And Dean has been everything that I had hoped for.”Both the Ravens (3-2) and Titans (3-2) come into this game off disappointing road losses. Baltimore lost 12-9 in overtime in Cleveland, while the Titans fell 13-12 in Buffalo.After kickoff, friendships are forgotten for at least three hours.“Once the game starts, we’ll be trying to choke each other out,” Harbaugh joked.Some things to know about the Ravens and Titans:DEFENSIVE SHOWDOWNWithout Pees, the Ravens remain just as stingy, leading the NFL in scoring defense and with 34 tackles for loss. The Ravens haven’t allowed a touchdown in the second half of a game this season. Baltimore also is third in fewest yards allowed, four spots ahead of Pees’ Titans, with Tennessee third against the pass, just ahead of Baltimore. Tennessee leads the NFL in red zone defense.The Titans hope to get back veteran linebacker Wesley Woodyard after missing a game with an injured shoulder Trysten Hill Jersey , while Harbaugh hopes to get back defensive tackle Michael Pierce after missing a game with an injured foot.JACKSON’S JAUNTSDrafted 32nd overall, rookie quarterback Lamar Jackson gives opposing defenses something else to think about when he lines up behind center. The 2016 Heisman Trophy winner ranks fourth on the team with 72 yards rushing and leads Baltimore with an average of 4.5 yards per carry. Jackson ran three times for 10 yards last week and threw an incomplete pass. He’s 1 for 5 through the air this season.NEED MORE OFFENSEThe Titans are coming off their second game this season when they couldn’t score a touchdown. Luckily, Marcus Mariota and his elbow is off the injury report for the first time since being hurt in the season opener. But the Titans could be missing left tackle Taylor Lewan, who hurt his right foot in Buffalo. Mariota said it’s just a matter of execution and the Titans have to get better.HEAVY WORKLOADTerrell Suggs was used for 66 of the 71 total snaps last week against the Browns, no small workload for a 16-year veteran who turned 36 on Thursday. Suggs is Baltimore’s career sacks leader with 129, including 3 1/2 this year. A rigorous training regimen has enabled him to maintain a degree of excellence, but Harbaugh acknowledged that 66 plays might be too much.PAYBACK TIMEOdds are good that C.J. Mosley will get a chance to tackle his former Alabama teammate and current Titans running back Derrick Henry at least once, and the Ravens linebacker says he still owes Henry from last year. Henry converted a big third-down late in a Tennessee win with a big stiff arm, breaking loose from Mosley. “I have to make sure that this time I don’t let him get a big play,” Mosley said.___AP Sports Writer Dave Ginsburg contributed to this report.___Follow Teresa M. Walker at www.twitter.com/teresamwalker___ Last Week: 6-7Weeks 1 through 7: 48-51-4Home teams shown in bold. Odds taken from Odds Shark.Philadelphia (-3) vs. Jacksonville (London)Before the season started, the NFL was probably licking their chops at this London matchup. Now, it’s looked at as a matchup of two underperforming teams. The Jaguars have more issues, though.. especially on offense.<em>Pick: Philadelphia (-3)</em>Baltimore (-2.5) vs. Carolina Justin Tucker missing that extra point to tie last Sunday was craaaaaaaaazy. He was 222 for 222 on XP’s prior to that miss. That’s football Connor McGovern Jersey , I guess.<em>Pick: Baltimore (-2.5)</em>Pittsburgh (-8) vs. ClevelandEven though they’re 2-4-1, the Browns are 5-2 ATS this season. I don’t think it’s crazy to think they keep it close here, especially if their defense keeps forcing turnovers.<em>Pick: Cleveland (+8)</em>Kansas City (-10) vs. DenverKC is rolling, and the Broncos have had to deal with the drama of Chad Kelly all week long. Mahomes & crew win going away.<em>Pick: Kansas City (-10)</em>Chicago (-7.5) vs. New York JetsAlthough some of the better QBs in the league have found success against the Bears defense, Darnold is a QB that that D can prey on.<em>Pick: Chicago (-7.5)</em>Detroit (-3) vs. SeattleKerryon Johnson is going to be good for a long time, and Matt Stafford has bounced back from a slow start to his season.Remember when people were writing off the Lions & Matt Patricia after week one?<em>Pick: Detroit (-3)</em>Cincinnati (-3.5) vs. Tampa BayThe young Bengals might not be as good as their hot start indicated, but they’re not as bad as they played last week. They’ll come out with a chip on their shoulder in this one.<em>Pick: Cincinnati (-3.5)</em>Washington (-1) vs. New York Giants The Giants are bound to win one of these soon, right? <em>Right</em>?<em>Pick: New York Giants (+1)</em>Indianapolis (-3) vs. OaklandBet you didn’t know that Andrew Luck has thrown 15 touchdown passes in his last four games. Those whispers that he might not be what he once was coming off injury are getting quieter and quieter.<em>Pick: Indianapolis (-3)</em>Los Angeles Rams (-9) vs. Green BayThe Rams are frighteningly good, but the Packers are coming off a bye and getting healthier. In front of plenty of cheesheads in LA, they keep it close.<em>Pick: Green Bay (+9)</em>San Francisco (-1) vs. Arizona Yuck.<em>Pick: Arizona (+1)</em>Minnesota (-1) vs. New OrleansHow many times will the Minnesota Miracle be shown on the Sunday Night broadcast? Probably a lot. This game should be excellent.<em>Pick: Minnesota (-1)</em>New England (-14) vs. BuffaloFor some reason, I really considered taking Bills +14 here…. nah.<em>Pick: New England (-14)</em>