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Ray Horton on Titans' D: 'We're not going to be simple for them'

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The pace of the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday shouldn’t come as any level of surprise to the Tennessee Titans' defense at Lincoln Financial Field.

Coaches and players typically look at coaching film -- which gives a soundless shot of a play from a high sideline and high end zone angle, and has only a shot of the scoreboard’s down-and-distance and clock in between plays.

But defensive coordinator Ray Horton showed the Titans TV tape of the Eagles, that included the (short) time between plays.

The Eagles really run just two personnel packages, and Horton said the Titans will have two or three to match up.

Philadelphia expects its pace will produce favorable matchups, but the Titans don’t plan to accommodate.

"I’ve never talked to Coach (Chip) Kelly, but I think the philosophy is, ‘The simpler the defense is, the better it is for us,'" he said. "And we’re not going to be simple for them. I’m not going to give them single-high (safety), cover-3 all day long."

The team will relieve pressure and ease responsibility on rookie inside linebacker Avery Williamson, who won’t be asked to get everyone lined up.

Instead players will look to the sidelines for signals, presumably to someone representing each position.

Gap integrity was the Titans' big issue Monday night as Pittsburgh's Le'Veon Bell ran for 204 yards against them.

Horton said the Titans are not accountable enough.

"We’ve preached and I’ve preached the whole time: accountability," he said. "Be accountable to your teammates. I don’t stress being accountable to the coaches, obviously. But be accountable to your teammate."

Being reliably in gaps and in position will be key against the Eagles.

"It’s a spacing offense, and they’re trying to get people in the space by going at a hurried tempo, at an up-tempo, and they do a good job of it," Titans head coach Ken Whisenhunt said.

"You have to make sure that you’re not out of position, because that’s how they exploit it. You’ve got to be able to do that in a short time. I think you just have to understand the tempo and the sense of urgency that you have to play with."