NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Titans expect Jaguars defensive linemen Sen'Derrick Marks and Jason Babin to be geared up for their visit to Tennessee.
 |
| Former Titans DT and current Jaguar Sen'Derrick Marks pressures Chargers QB Philip Rivers. |
Marks was selected by the Titans in the second round of the 2009 NFL Draft and started 26 of 51 games he played for Tennessee. Babin played one season (2010) for the Titans and recorded 12.5 sacks and earned selection to the Pro Bowl but left in free agency. They've both started all eight games and are tied for the team lead with two sacks apiece.
The Titans saw Babin line up against them last season, but this will be the first time to see Marks in opposing colors.
Marks said during a conference call this week that he's kept tabs on multiple Titans defensive linemen and will likely do a little trash talking with offensive players, but is focused on continuing to improve as a player and help Jacksonville get better as a team. Click here to read the transcript.
"I don't know what I'll do actually," Marks said. "I don't know what I do until I'm mic'd up, and I'll be like, 'Man, I didn't know I talked that much or that much happened.' Other than that, I really don't realize it."
Running back Chris Johnson said he and Marks are "still cool."
"We still talk, but at the end of the day it's Tennessee-Jacksonville so I'm not going to let it get in my head. It's really different (than the trash talking Rams DB Cortland Finnegan did). I think Sen'Derrick will probably talk more to the offensive line. It won't be much too me."
But will he try to tackle Johnson hard?
"I'm pretty sure he will," Johnson said with a laugh.
Quarterback Jake Locker said Marks "was always a good-spirited guy, a guy that was fun in the locker room."
"I really enjoyed being around him," Locker said. "I imagine there will be some stuff in good humor for sure."
Marks, an avid golfer, got a head start on the talk when he said he'd prevail against any Titan on the golf course.
"My golf game is crazy right now," Marks said. "I don't know what I've been shooting because I haven't been out in two or three weeks to score myself, but when we played over in London that one time, my golf game was crazy. I probably can go professional after I'm done with football.
"I shot an 86 last time I played, but that's just with no practice. That's just going out hitting a couple balls and then going to play," Marks added. "If I go out and practice, I know I'm going to shoot under par, no doubt. Call up Brett Kern, he don't want to see me. I think Kern was the best golfer on the team at Tennessee. But Kern, no, he don't stand a chance right now."
Although the trip to London for the International Series game ended with a 42-10 loss to the 49ers, Marks said it was interesting to be exposed to a slightly different culture.
"I didn't get out on the town that much, but we went down to the crown jewels at the Tower of London, that was pretty cool," Marks said. "We also rolled past the queen's house, which was pretty cool just getting a chance to witness that with your whole squad — things that I saw and read about in books. It was a great experience. I really enjoyed it."
Titans coach Mike Munchak said he enjoyed coaching Marks the past two seasons.
"I've always liked Sen'Derrick and think he plays hard," Munchak said. "He enjoys the game and has a fun personality, but he's playing good for them. He's got a few sacks and playing the run well."
Offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains said Marks' intelligence is one of his best assets.
"We know him and how sharp he is and how he picks up on line calls and how he shoots gaps," Loggains said. "He's an extremely smart player. I think that plays to his benefit a lot and he's been a solid player for them."
