Tennessee Titans

Brian Orakpo: Titans defense 'starting to click'

Published Aug. 11, 2015 11:53 p.m. ET

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The Tennessee Titans have used the early part of training camp to welcome in defensive newcomers like linebacker Brian Orakpo and cornerback Perrish Cox, while welcoming back players returning from injury like linebacker Zach Brown.

At the same time, the team is also trying to learn new assistant head coach/defense Dick LeBeau's scheme.

Now, as the Titans approaches their first preseason game, Orakpo said things are starting to fall into place defensively.

"We're starting to click, absolutely," Orakpo said, via ESPN. "We're communicating. We're a team that's very physical defensively, and this defense is somewhat challenging on everybody. Everybody has to be on the same page to run it right. Everyone is communicating and we're having very minimal busts out there. Guys are really talking, when they change formations or give us a different look, guys are communicating to get the calls right and that's really contributing to us making plays."

Orakpo missed nine games last season after tearing a pectoral muscle while playing for the the Washington Redskins. He said he's feeling close to 100 percent now.

"Everything is coming back natural for me and I feel great," Orakpo said. "Health-wise I am great, my footwork, my rushing ability, my coverage, everything I need where I need it to be is here. Now I just need to carry it through the preseason and into the season."

The Titans open their preseason schedule Friday against the Atlanta Falcons.

(h/t ESPN)

Photo credit: Mark Humphrey/AP