The Titans defense had yet another disappointing start to the pre-season last week in Atlanta.

It was difficult to watch. I mean it was like watching film of the Titans defense from last season. Even with the pick up of Dick LeBeau, Da’Norris Searcy, Perrish Cox and Brian Orakpo, the Titans still looked like they did not understand you are supposed to try and stop the other team from scoring.

The Titans need a defensive leader to emerge. Brian Orakpo will probably be that guy eventually. Veteran safety Michael Griffin and defensive tackle Jurrell Casey lead by example, but are not exactly rah rah types of guys.

So what can fire up the Titans defense? In my opinion there is one guy that gives it everything he has on every play. Well, two. I will give Casey a pass on this as he gets after as well. But the one I am bringing attention to is who I think is the most underrated Titan of all, Karl Klug.

Klug was a fifth round draft choice out of Iowa in 2011. He was the kind of draft pick guy that you really didn’t pay any attention to. You normally know who your first three round picks are, but after that is always some random guy out Iowa, or Valdosta State.

But Klug impressed me right away. He became one of my favorites. Why? Because he is an undersized overachiever. Klug does not have the God given size and talent that many NFL defensive tackles have. But what he does have is heart, and he has a motor.

Klug never starts. As soon as he comes into the game you will hear his name called for a tackle. He has a knack of getting to the ball carrier. He also has a knack of getting to the quarterback. He slides through defenses like he has some sort of grease on his uniform. It must be moves he learned from his wrestling days.

Klug started out quickly with the Titans when he had 7 sacks in his Rookie season. He showed that his quickness and desire could be useful in an NFL defense. Again, his size, 6’3″ and 278 is not big for a defensive tackle, so the Titans went with larger lineman to line up against the behemoth offensive guards and tackles of the opponents.

But Klug always finds a way to the ball carrier. If everyone on the defense, or offense for that matter, had this guys motor the Titans would be a playoff team. The Titans have gone to the 3-4 of course. They are going with Casey at defensive tackle, Sammie Hill at nose, and probably DaQuan Jones. Casey is 305 lbs. Hill weighs 328 lbs. Jones is 322 lbs. That’s some pretty good size.

Klug will get his opportunities. When he does he will deliver. He always does. So when you are looking for a bright spot on what is an otherwise lackluster defense, look for number 97. He will impress you with his effort at least. As Titans fans we don’t have much to be impressed with on that side of the ball yet. We will take anything we can get. Even if it is from an underrated fifth round defensive tackle.