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Titans Team Report

Yahoo! Sports - May 23, 1:45 am EDT

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Notes, Quotes
Strategy and Personnel

It's no secret that the Titans have to be better in 2013 in order to get coach Mike Munchak and his staff off the proverbial hot seat.

A 6-10 finish a year ago led to the dismissal of team COO Mike Reinfeldt, who had previously served as general manager during a five-year span of spotty drafts and questionable free-agent moves.

Munchak, who has been with the organization for more than three decades and is one of owner Bud Adams' favorites, was given a one-year reprieve to make good on improving the team with the assistance of general manager Ruston Webster.

The Titans wasted no time in the offseason, signing 12 free agents to replenish the roster and now after getting their first look at their 2013 draft class, Munchak is convinced some of the rookies can come in and help push this team back toward contention this year.

Most notably, first-round pick Chance Warmack has virtually already been placed atop the depth chart at right guard, while second-round pick Justin Hunter will have every opportunity to show himself a playmaker at wide receiver and move right into a mix of talent that includes Kendall Wright, Kenny Britt and Nate Washington.

"I show them the tape every year of some of the stuff that happened last year and tell them that there are a lot of guys that can help us win football games here. The last two years I've been here, rookies have stepped up. Our expectation is that they should come in and help this football team win," Munchak said.

There is also the possibility that even a fourth-rounder, center Brian Schwenkie, could fight his way onto the playing field as a rookie, as he will be battling incumbent center Fernando Velasco for the starting nod.

Warmack said he learned a lot during the rookie minicamp, and even had Munchak and offensive line coach Bruce Matthews, both Hall of Famers, showing him the way.

"It was a great experience. Just picking their brains and asking them questions is helping to make me a better player," Warmack said.

Warmack knows there is plenty ahead to learn for him.

"There were a lot of mistakes made today, but that is the beauty of this game. You make mistakes and you come back and do better the next day. I'll put my head in the playbook tonight and get better," Warmack said.

The rookies now join the veterans this week as the Titans' full 90-man roster goes through offseason work. For Hunter, he realizes it is a big step making the leap from college to the NFL. He saw that during the rookie minicamp.

"I think it went pretty good. Learning the new offense went pretty good. I picked it up pretty easy. I was nervous, because I didn't know what to expect, but as the day went on, my nerves calmed down," Hunter said. "There were a lot of meetings, definitely a lot more than in college. It's definitely a lot faster, and it's zero tolerance when you come here."

Head coach Mike Munchak could be seen taking a more hands-on approach with the offensive line, a position he coached for more than a decade before becoming Tennessee's head coach in 2011.

It's something Munchak said he wanted to get back to and was able to do during the rookie orientation last weekend, assisting his buddy and fellow Hall of Famer Bruce Matthews in working with the line.

"As a head coach, I always wanted to be more involved, as much as I can in coaching," Munchak said. "That's one of the reasons I love that phase of it is being involved with the players in that way. The first couple of years were harder, because you have to figure out how to manage your time."
Third-round pick Zaviar Gooden of Missouri was excused for part of the rookie orientation practices due to a family commitment. Undrafted free-agent linebacker Tom Wort of Oklahoma was let go after he failed his physical due to a hamstring injury.
The Titans had six players in on a tryout basis to work out with their rookies.

The most prominent name was veteran running back Danny Ware, who was once in Titans camp, but was released before training camp began. Ware went on to have some success with the New York Giants. He was with Tampa Bay last season.

"There are guys we are looking at and going to continue to look at at the third running back spot, guys that have had some success running the ball in the league and can play special teams," Munchak said. "He is a guy that kind of fits those categories. That's why we brought him in to kind of see where he is at. Obviously, we've had him in before and you'll see us continue to try to do things like that to add depth and add competition as we get to know the group that's here and build on that in camp."

The other players brought in for a look-see include Kevin Ayers, brother of Titans linebacker Akeem Ayers. Kevin is a safety from Arizona State. Also in that group were safety Mark Legree, safety Torri Williams and quarterbacks Owen Canfield and Ross Dausin.
The Titans are still talking about adding defensive end John Abraham is he is the right fit for them and at the right price.

Abraham, 35, came in for a two-day visit with Titans coaches, and still could wind up in Tennessee if the deal makes sense financially for both sides and if Tennessee can figure out exactly what role Abraham would play behind starters Kamerion Wimbley and Derrick Morgan.

"We're looking. We talked to him and spent some time with him, looking at what we want, what he wants, what kind of fit it could be. So we've just been talking to him. He obviously hasn't made a decision. I don't know how quickly he plans on making a decision," Munchak said. "I don't think there's any big hurry there. It's a business thing, but we've talked to him, and we're talking to him, and we know what kind of player he is and has been. He's still productive and he's gonna be playing in this league. We all know that, it's just a matter of where it's gonna be."

Quote To Note:

"It's a business. I have to work for every little thing. I'm going to have to beat everybody out and show that I want it more than anybody who's here. My brother's a big help. He's on me every day, quizzing me every five minutes, asking me what's the coverage of every little play, so it's helpful."

- S Kevin Ayers, who was in on a tryout basis with the Titans. His brother, Akeem Ayes, is a starting linebacker for Tennessee.

A closer look at the Titans' picks:

Round 1/10 - Chance Warmack, G, 6-2, 325, Alabama

The Titans had targeted Warmack for a while as a way to finishing fixing their offensive line, which was horrible last year. Warmack will step right in and start immediately at right guard.

Round 2/34 - Justin Hunter, WR, 6-4, 195, Tennessee

The Titans did something they rarely do, trading up in the second round to grab Hunter, whom they had a high first-round grade on. Hunter gives Tennessee a vertical threat with size, and he will vie for immediate playing time, even in a crowded receiver room.

Round 3/70 - Blidi Wreh-Wilson, CB, 6-1, 195, Connecticut

Wreh-Wilson fills the need for a press cover cornerback the Titans had been coveting in this year's draft. At worst, he will be a backup on the outside this year. At best, he will take a starting spot outside and kick Alterraun Verner inside to the nickel, where he is most effective.

Round 3/97 - Zaviar Gooden, LB, 6-1, 234, Missouri

There really wasn't a need here with weak-side linebacker Zach Brown arriving last year. But the Titans like Gooden's speed (4.47 in the 40) and figure to use him on special teams and perhaps in certain packages as a rookie.

Round 4/107 - Brian Schwenkie, C, 6-3, 307, California

Not many fourth-rounders come in and have a chance to start as a rookie, but Schwenkie was the top-rated center on Tennessee's board and will compete immediately with holdover Fernando Velasco to start in the middle of the line. Plays with a nasty streak, something that has been missing since the departure of Kevin Mawae in 2009.

Round 5/142 - Lavar Edwards, DE, 6-4, 270, LSU

The Titans needed help in the pass rush, and it was expected to come earlier with a player like Dion Jordan or Barkevious Mingo. Instead, the Titans land Mingo's backup, Edwards, who has nice size and potential of his own. His speed as a rusher is the big attraction, and the fact that he is strong enough to play the run will make him have a chance to contribute.

Round 6/202 - Khalid Wooten, CB, 5-11, 210, Nevada

Wooten figures to contribute first on special teams, but is another press corner who can play man coverage and offers decent size at the position.

Round 7/248 - Daimion Stafford, S, 6-0, 221, Nebraska

A former JUCO player, who had a solid season at Nebraska. Stafford will vie for a spot on special teams and if he sticks, could have a chance to contribute more in 2014 with Bernard Pollard and George Wilson being stop-gap measures.

Franchise Player:

None.

Transition Player:

None.

Unrestricted Free Agents

(9)

LB Xavier Adibi was a midseason addition, who made little impact and probably won't return.
DE Dave Ball is likely to retire this offseason, due to a concussion history, even though he has said he would like to play, but doubts he will get a chance.
DT Leger Douzable was supposed to be part of the defensive line rotation until an injury late in training camp ended that. Probably won't be back.
G/C Leroy Harris was one of the scapegoats for the offensive line's struggles the past two years. He finished last year on injured reserve. The Titans want to improve the interior, but because of his versatility, don't rule out a return as a backup.
G Deuce Lutui joined the Titans in Week 2 and was inactive for the first half of the season, then started the final eight games. Has a chance to return as a backup, but not a strong one.
LB Gerald McRath went on injured reserve in camp early due to a knee injury when there was question as to whether he would make the roster. McRath, even though he struggled in 2010-11, still looked better than the backups who finished the year on the roster.
CB Ryan Mouton came off an Achilles injury that cost him all of 2011. Mouton played OK early in the year, but after some struggles in mid-year was benched in favor of rookie Coty Sensabaugh. Probably better off with a fresh start somewhere else.
RB Javon Ringer had injuries ruin his season once again, and may have run out of chances in Tennessee. Too bad, because he is a good locker-room guy and a solid contributor when healthy.
LB Will Witherspoon is another guy who is a solid pro, but he has lost a step and also lost his starting spot to rookie Zach Brown. Not likely to be back in Tennessee.

Unrestricted Free Agents

(not tendered offers)

G/C Kyle DeVan (not tendered as RFA) had five, yes five, different stints on the Titans roster after injuries hit the offensive line. Probably won't be back, but is just a phone call away.

Restricted Free Agents:

None.

Exclusive Rights Free Agents:

None.

Players Re-signed

K Rob Bironas: Potential UFA; $6.677M/2 yrs.
DE Keyunta Dawson: Potential UFA; $715,000/1 yr.
FB Quinn Johnson: UFA; terms unknown.
RB/KR Darius Reynaud: UFA; $1.05M/1 yr.
G/C Fernando Velasco: RFA tendered at $2.023M with second-round pick as compensation; $2.023M/1 yr.