One goal for every Tennessee Titans key defender, from L'Jarius Sneed to T'Vondre Sweat

It's about time for the Tennessee Titans to put it all together. Which leads us to two simple questions: How, and in what ways?

The Titans report for training camp on Tuesday, beginning the seven-week sprint to the start of the 2024 season. It's barely an exaggeration to say half of the team that reports will be first-time Titans. Fifty of the 113 players and coaches on the roster today weren't with the team at the end of last season. That includes 15 of the roughly 30 to 35 players who could win a starting job when the season begins Sept. 8 in Chicago.

With so many new faces in so many important roles, virtually no one can head into training camp expecting his role to be the same as it was a year ago. Every significant player should have a goal for how to get better, fit best in a new scheme or develop alongside new teammates.

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This week, The Tennesseean outlines one goal every potential Titans starter should have this training camp. Today, we focus on the defense.

Tennessee Titans goals: D-linemen, linebackers

DT Jeffery Simmons: Use position as vocal, emotional leader of team to instill confidence in squad's ability to turn things around, thrive quickly.

DL Sebastian Joseph-Day: Emerge as an option at defensive end as well as defensive tackle to allow for more rotation, flexibility on defensive front.

DT T'Vondre Sweat: Show up in shape, nimble and active enough to erase question marks about endurance, health at NFL level.

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OLB Harold Landry III: Recapture skill of disrupting passers on rush plays that don't end in sacks with hurries and deflections.

OLB Arden Key: Bulk up against the run to become more accountable as an every-down player.

OLB Rashad Weaver: Earn opportunities as situational pass rusher to bolster number of packages that feature more than two edge rushers.

ILB Kenneth Murray II: Improve in both man and zone coverage to strengthen middle of Titans' defense against pass.

ILB Jack Gibbens: Present value as vocal presence who can call plays for defense if needed.

ILB Cedric Gray: Demonstrate poise, polish needed to earn steady reps early and not have to be phased in as a situational contributor.

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Tennessee Titans goals: Secondary

CB L'Jarius Sneed: Avoid knee injury setbacks, head into regular season healthy and ready to play to peak performance.

CB Chidobe Awuzie: Prove capability of keeping up with Calvin Ridley, DeAndre Hopkins in man cover to bounce back after struggling 1-on-1 in 2023.

CB Roger McCreary: Continue upward trajectory, focus in on slot role to emerge as one of league's stingiest nickels.

CB Jarvis Brownlee Jr.: Flash ball skills, demonstrate value as disruptor when ball is in air.

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S Amani Hooker: Hone in on limiting big plays, long runs after catch that cropped up in 2023, marring otherwise solid season.

S Elijah Molden: Keep starting at safety as main priority while staying flexible enough to fill in spots at slot corner as needed.

S Jamal Adams: Adapt to playbook, scheme quickly without benefit of OTAs in order to carve role as box safety, situational pass rusher.

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Tennessee Titans schedule: Training camp dates, preseason games

The Titans report for training camp on July 23 and will hold their first practice on July 24. Their first preseason game is Aug. 10 against the San Francisco 49ers at Nissan Stadium. The Titans' 2024 NFL season begins Sept. 8 against the Bears in Chicago.

Nick Suss is the Titans beat writer for The Tennessean. Contact Nick atnsuss@gannett.com. Follow Nick on X, the platform formerly called Twitter, @nicksuss.