Now they get to face a Titans defense without two of the league's best in Albert Haynesworth and Kyle Vanden Bosch. !
Rookie defensive linemen Jason Jones (91) and William Hayes (95) will help fill the void left by Pro Bowlers Albert Haynesworth and Kyle Vanden Bosch on Sunday.
Don't be concerned, said the players planning on filling the void when the two AFC powerhouses meet Sunday at LP Field.
"They might game-plan a little different since those two are out, but I hope they don't take us lightly because we're going to go out and give the same effort that Albert and Kyle give each week," said rookie lineman Jason Jones, one of the players expected to step up Sunday.
"We miss them greatly – they're two of the best defensive rushers in the league – but right now they're out with injuries and it's our job to step up and go out there and perform well," Jones added.
Jones, along with fellow rookie William Hayes, second-year pro Jacob Ford and free agent pickup Dave Ball will attempt to fill the gap left by their Pro Bowl teammates. All four realize they may be tested by an experienced Pittsburgh team.
"Definitely, because when you think about the Tennessee Titans, you think about Albert Haynesworth and Kyle Vanden Bosch being our best defensive linemen, so this week we have a chance to show that the rest of us can play. Regardless of what happens, we have people that can step up." Hayes said.
Ford, who ranks second on the team with six sacks, said the time is now for other young players to step up.
"There's a lot of young guys on our defensive line that are getting an opportunity to show who we are," he said. "You're always put on tape, and we have no better opportunity than we have this Sunday."
And as for Pittsburgh taking them lightly?
"We really don't care how they look at it. We're going to come ready to play football and see who wins," Ford said. "I think it will help the young guys out a lot just getting more experience. We've played in a lot of big games this season, so we'll all pull together."
