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| Wednesday, July 16 Updated: August 19, 1:46 PM ET Titans: Training camp report Pro Football Weekly |
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In Pro Football Weekly's third and final installment of training-camp reports, we look at the good (biggest positive), the bad (biggest disappointment) and the ugly (injury update) factors surrounding every team halfway through the 2003 preseason. We also set our sights on a rookie to watch on each team, for whatever the reason. Parts 1 and 2 are below. Aug. 19 Biggest positive: Dogged by injuries over the last two seasons, running back Eddie George has the pep back in his step in Titans camp. George said he is fresh and, once rookie running back Chris Brown returns from injury, the Titans will have better depth. Another positive has been the offensive line play, meaning head coach Jeff Fisher should be able to go back to the grinding running game he prefers. Biggest disappointment: Second-year cornerback Mike Echols, the favorite to win the nickel job vacated when free-agent Donald Mitchell left for Dallas, hasn't had a strong showing of late. He has definitely lost the job to rookie Andre Woolfolk, who is currently injured, and may not even work in the Titans' dime package. Injury update: Free safety Lance Schulters won't miss time despite being diagnosed with Bell's Palsy. Woolfolk could miss more than a month with a dislocated toe suffered in the preseason opener, but hopes to be back Sept. 7 in the opener vs. Oakland. Right defensive end Jevon Kearse continues to experience some soreness in his foot after missing most of 2002. Brown, who has been sidelined for two weeks, won't play until the preseason finale at the earliest because of a hamstring injury. Rookie to watch: To start the season, second-round pick Tyrone Calico will be the Titans' third or fourth receiver. But when his experience catches up with his ability, Calico could be a top-flight No. 1 receiver in the NFL. The Titans see the process coming along slowly as Calico struggles through typical rookie inconsistencies and too many drops, but coaches say they will live with his faulty hands for now because Calico is a rare threat with elite size and speed. Part 2, Aug. 12 Veteran to watch: Running back Eddie George. With rookie Chris Brown expected to be out until the last preseason game with a hamstring injury, speculation that George will lose carries may die down. However, George has had seven straight seasons with 315 carries or more, and he isn't getting any younger. Distribution of carries could be a big story all year in Tennessee. Player on the verge: Wide receiver Tyrone Calico makes mistakes on easy catches, but his athleticism and ability to beat the jam and go get the ball have been impressive. Because of his size and speed, it will be hard for the coaching staff not to look in Calico's direction, especially if big plays are again a concern. Strongest position: The Titans' linebacker corps is young, fast and talented. Led by breakout outside linebackers Peter Sirmon and Keith Bulluck, Tennessee has a fleet of young 'backers that allow defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz to mix and match in order to get the best personnel grouping on the field at all times. The competition is so heavy to replace middle linebacker Randall Godfrey in training camp that there are four legitimate options for linebacker coach Gunther Cunningham to choose from. Weakest position: Now that former Titans starting center Gennaro DiNapoli signed with Dallas and his replacement, veteran Tom Ackerman, is hobbled, second-year Kansas product Justin Hartwig is getting reps with the first-team offense. General manager Floyd Reese said he will look at what is available when cuts begin, but the lot isn't expected to be well-stocked with starting-caliber centers. Part 1, July 18 Most significant change: Nickel CB Donald Mitchell was basically a starter last season, playing 65 percent of the defensive snaps. Mitchell left for Dallas, leaving second-year CBs Mike Echols, Tony Beckham and first-round pick Andre Woolfolk to fill his shoes. Echols is the favorite entering camp, but none of the three has much experience. Reasons for optimism: The Titans have basically the same team, at least the core of it, that went 12-4 and was one win away from the Super Bowl. A healthy offensive line and a revived Steve McNair, who is coming off a great season, feed the Titans' hope for an encore. Causes for concern: The Titans have depth concerns at several positions. If starters are injured, especially at defensive tackle, wide receiver or on the offensive line, it may be time for Tennessee to hit the panic button. Training-camp battles to watch: The most heated battle is expected to be for the nickel cornerback job, but also keep an eye on the race to be the third receiver. Rookie Tyrone Calico impressed veterans in minicamps, but he isn't likely to unseat Justin McCareins just yet. Derrick Mason and Drew Bennett are the probable starters. Don't be surprised if: Rookie RB Chris Brown plays a big role, and a tough early schedule prompts yet another slow start for the Titans.
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Material from Pro Football Weekly.
