McNair watching right tackle competition closely
The Titans cut starting right tackle Fred Miller in February for salary cap reasons, and veteran backup tackle Jason Mathews retired this offseason. That leaves Brad Hopkins, going into his 13th season, as the only tackle on the roster with any real experience as a starter.
The competition to replace Miller includes Todd Williams, a seventh-round pick in 2003. Jacob Bell, who started 15 games last season at left guard as a rookie, tore his right ACL before he could try his hand at right tackle.
The rest are rookies led by second-round pick Michael Roos, the highest lineman drafted by the Titans since taking Hopkins in the first round in 1993. They also picked up David Stewart of Mississippi State in the fourth and added Daniel Loper of Texas Tech in the fifth — the most draft picks used on the line since 1985.
Coach Jeff Fisher said Friday each player will get a chance to play with the first team before the Titans make a final decision, and McNair is confident they’ll pick the best guy.
“I think those guys are working hard … I think Todd is doing an excellent job as far as getting this offense, knowing what to do, and he’s getting a lot better at his technique,” McNair said.
McNair has reason to be watching this position closely. Miller had protected his right side since 2000, and the quarterback is coming off surgery to strengthen a sternum that kept him out of eight games last season.
“I’m not too worried about this offensive line,” McNair said with a laugh. “I think this offensive line has a great coach in Mike Munchak and will be as prepared as any line in the National Football League.”
Munchak, a Hall of Famer for his 13 years with the then-Houston Oilers, may have his best raw talent yet. He has Williams working with the starting line while splitting some time with Roos. Loper has been kept exclusively backing up Hopkins, while Stewart is working on the flexibility Munchak wants by working at right guard.
The job is there for Williams, the 6-5, 330-pound lineman who was homeless for three years as a teenager before going back to school and playing his way through Florida State.
“You don’t know when your window’s going to come open,” Munchak said. “He was behind three real good tackles, and he had the privilege of learning from them and the fact that (general manager) Floyd Reese is very patient with linemen usually and gives them a chance to develop.”
Williams knows he must avoid any mental letdowns if he wants a job that would have been unbelievable a few years ago when he was living on the streets in Miami.
“That would just be a culmination of hard work and all that I’ve been through and really be a testament to young men and young women all over that you can work hard and the end result can be light at the end of the tunnel,” Williams said.
Bell could be the wild card if he continues his quick recovery from surgery. The Titans now just hope publicly that he’s ready to be a backup by the season opener Sept. 11 at Pittsburgh, and Munchak sounds confident the Titans will have plenty to choose from.
“When the smoke clears, I may have too many good guys,” Munchak said. “We may have to let a player go who’s going to be a good player in this league.”
Notes:@ Rookie receiver Courtney Roby twisted an ankle, but Fisher said he should be back when the Titans wrap up their final three minicamp sessions next week. … Fisher also said Thursday’s release of safety Lance Schulters should be an indication of how Tank Williams is recovering from ACL surgery.