Titans assured of inexperience at right tackle
They’re rotating two-year veteran Todd Williams, who was homeless as a teenager before leaving Florida State as a seventh-round draft pick, and second-round choice Michael Roos, who emigrated from Estonia to the United States when he was 10.
Jacob Bell also is getting some limited work as he works his way back from a torn right anterior cruciate that ended his rookie season after he started 14 games in relief in 2004.
The competition picks up considerably Friday night when the Titans open the preseason with an exhibition against Tampa Bay. Steve McNair said Wednesday he will be happy no matter which lineman winds up as his new right tackle.
“I think the young guys are doing good. It’s a competitive battle, and I think that’s what makes those guys better. Competing every day out there. They know they’re going to get a chance to go out with the starting unit and see what they’ve got,” McNair said.
The 10-year veteran quarterback has a vested interest in the new right tackle. Fred Miller never missed a start in his five seasons with Tennessee, but the Titans released the dependable veteran in February in their salary cap purge.
The Titans also let Jason Mathews retire following a season in which he started at both left tackle, guard and tight end.
That left Tennessee scrambling, which is why the Titans drafted three tackles in April. But David Stewart, their fourth-round pick, broke a hand in minicamp and has been focused at guard. Fifth-round pick Daniel Loper has been slowed by a sore shoulder the past few days.
The 6-foot-7, 315 pound Roos also has worked at left tackle, as he did Wednesday with veteran Brad Hopkins being given a practice off. Hopkins is waiting to hear from the NFL on whether he will be suspended one or two games for pleading guilty to assaulting his wife in spring. If he is, then Roos could open the season at left tackle protecting McNair’s back.
Pretty heady stuff for someone who has only played football for six years and on the line for three at Eastern Washington. But Roos, believed to be the first Estonian native to play in the NFL, is ready.
“That’s the coach’s decision,” Roos said. “When that time comes, I’m sure they’ll make the decision, and I’m sure it will be the right one. Obviously, I don’t know what it’s going to be, but I’m going to be up for whatever the team decides.”
Benji Olson, the starting right guard since 1999, has been watching closely.
“It’s a pretty heated competition right now. Roos is coming along. He’s trying to get his technique down … He’s just learning his way. Todd, he’s trying to get back into it and do what he’s got to do to get there. If Jacob’s knee gets strong and is feeling good, I think he’s got a real chance,” Olson said.
Offensive line coach Mike Munchak, enjoying the largest draft of talent at his position by this team since 1985, is happy they have four exhibitions to determine who the starter should be.
“It’s like anything. It’s how you do on the test, and how you are on game day and what kind of gamer you are and how you play on Sunday,” he said.