NASHVILLE, Tenn. — New Titans safety Johnathan Cyprien plans to make some noise with his pads in Tennessee.
He's hoping those around him – and players on the other side of the line of scrimmage – notice.
"It just sets the mentality of how a game is going to go,'' Cyprien said of his physical style of play. "It scares wide receivers, not only for the rest of that game, but for whoever turns on that tape. So when they have to run a route and come across the middle they don't even go for it sometimes.
"So it is just a mentality, and it's what you want your defense to be known for — you want to be physical and stout."
A former second-round pick of the Jaguars back in 2013, Cyprien signed with the Titans last week. He's played the past four seasons in Jacksonville, where he's been a productive — and physical player.
"He's an aggressive hitter, strong in coverage,'' Titans general manager Jon Robinson said of Cyprien. "He really battles at the point of attack, when the ball is in the air vs. those tight ends. He's an instinctive player, good blitzer, heavy hitter. He'll really help us in the back end."
Last season, Cyprien started all 16 games for the Jaguars and recorded 127 tackles, one sack, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and four passes defensed. Pro Football Focus rated Cyprien the No. 7 safety in 2016.
"Tennessee is the right fit for me, because I think this scheme is No.1 — I think I can really prosper here," Cyprien said. "Tennessee is definitely on their way. We won nine games — and I am saying we from now on. We won nine games last year and were one short of making the playoffs. I think this is the year we will continue to make a bigger step and continue to move forward."
New Titans S Johnathan Cyprien signs his contract, meets reporters at Saint Thomas Sports Park. (Photos: Gary Glenn)
Cyprien will join a safety group that includes Kevin Byard, a third-round pick in last year's draft who racked up 63 tackles, a sack, five tackles for a loss and five passes defensed in 2016. Safeties Da'Norris Searcy and Curtis Riley also remain under contract, while Rashad Johnson and Daimion Stafford became free agents on Thursday at the start of the new league year.
Cyprien has a reputation for being sturdy in run support. He's racked up 453 tackles and two sacks in four NFL seasons, along with a pair of interceptions. He's totaled at least 100 tackles in each of his first four NFL seasons.
Now, after competing with the Titans four seasons, he's ready to help.
"My thought is we're going to be the best thing Tennessee has ever seen," Cyprien said of Tennessee's secondary, which will also now include former Patriots cornerback Logan Ryan, who also signed last week.
"I think it is going to be smooth,'' Cyprien said of the transition. "We have respect for each other. I have a respect for Delanie (Walker), I have a respect for Marcus (Mariota). And I think that trumps everything. Now that we get to join forces I think that we could just look at opposing teams and feel like no one can beat us."
TitansOnline.com looks back at safety Johnathan Cyprien's first six NFL seasons. (AP Photos)
Tennessee Titans defensive back Johnathan Cyprien (37) in action during a regular season Week 13 NFL football game between the Houston Texans and the Tennessee Titans, Sunday December 3, 2017 in Nashville, Tenn. The Titans beat the Texans 24-13 (Matt Patterson via AP)
Tennessee Titans safety Johnathan Cyprien (37) drops into coverage in action against the Houston Texans Sunday December 3, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Damian Strohmeyer via AP)
Tennessee Titans safety Kevin Byard (31) and safety Johnathan Cyprien (37) celebrate after Cyprien broke up a pass to Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Albert Wilson during the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game, in Kansas City, Mo., Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Tennessee Titans defensive back Johnathan Cyprien (37) lines up before the snap during a regular season Week 13 NFL football game between the Houston Texans and the Tennessee Titans, Sunday December 3, 2017 in Nashville, Tenn. The Titans beat the Texans 24-13 (Matt Patterson via AP)
Tennessee Titans strong safety Johnathan Cyprien (37) watches from the sidelines of an NFL football game against the New York Jets, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2017, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Tennessee. Titans safety Johnathan Cyprien (37) is shown during player introductions before the game against the Houston Texans Sunday December 3, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Damian Strohmeyer via AP)
Tennessee Titans safety Johnathan Cyprien catches a pass during NFL football minicamp Tuesday, June 13, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Tennessee Titans safety Jonathan Cyprien (37) drops into coverage during the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Thursday, Nov. 16, 2017, Pittsburgh. The Steelers defeated the Titans 40-17. (Al Tielemans via AP)
Tennessee. Titans safety Johnathan Cyprien (37) is shown during player introductions before the game against the Houston Texans Sunday December 3, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Damian Strohmeyer via AP)
Tennessee Titans safety Johnathan Cyprien runs a drill during NFL football minicamp Tuesday, June 13, 2017, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Albert Wilson (12) can't reach a pass against Tennessee Titans safety Johnathan Cyprien (37) during the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game, in Kansas City, Mo., Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Tennessee Titans strong safety Johnathan Cyprien (37) takes a defensive position during an NFL game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2017 in Nashville, Tenn. (Margaret Bowles via AP)
Tennessee Titans strong safety Johnathan Cyprien (37)and teammate Tennessee Titans free safety Kevin Byard (31) celebrate after Cyprien broke up a pass late in the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff game in Kansas City, Mo., Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster (19) is hit by Tennessee Titans strong safety Johnathan Cyprien (37) as he makes a catch during the second half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Thursday, Nov. 16, 2017. The Steelers won 40-17. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
Tennessee Titans safeties Johnathan Cyprien (37) and Kevin Byard (31) line up in the secondary during a Week 15 NFL game against the San Francisco 49ers, December 17, 2017 in Santa Clara, Calif. The 49ers defeated the Titans 25-23. (Kevin Terrell via AP)
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Albert Wilson (12) can't reach a pass against Tennessee Titans safety Johnathan Cyprien (37) during the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game in Kansas City, Mo., Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)
Tennessee. Titans safety Johnathan Cyprien (37) is shown during player introductions before the game against the Houston Texans Sunday December 3, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Damian Strohmeyer via AP)
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Albert Wilson (12) has this pass to him broken up by Tennessee Titans strong safety Johnathan Cyprien (37) late in the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff game in Kansas City, Mo., Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)
Tennessee Titans defensive back Johnathan Cyprien runs a drill during NFL football training camp Thursday, July 26, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)
