Hopkins trimmed down for 13th season
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A first-round pick out of Illinois by the then-Houston Oilers in 1993, the left tackle is preparing to join Elvin Bethea and Bruce Matthews as the only players with 13 seasons with this franchise. But Hopkins and quarterback Steve McNair are the only ones who ever played in Houston.
The Titans are in full rebuilding mode and have stocked the roster with 47 rookies and first-year players. That makes training camp difficult for someone who already has lived through relocation from Texas and commuting to Memphis.
Hopkins is one of only five still left who remember the 2000 Super Bowl from personal experience rather than the mural of photos in a hallway in the building, and that’s difficult.
“Familiarity is something we don’t have anymore,” Hopkins said.
“There’s never been such a mass exodus of veterans from this one squad and been replaced by guys who have a year or less under their belt. Learning more about these cats, it’s a process, and it’s not one that because I’m a veteran and have been here that it’s easier. It’s not. These guys now are entering my house. I have to get used to them.”
But the two-time Pro Bowler has survived the salary cap slashing and has taken over the role as the team elder.
Maybe it’s something about the offensive line. Hopkins played a season with Hall of Famer Mike Munchak, now his position coach, and Matthews, who retired after the 2001 with 19 seasons in the NFL.
Now Hopkins is poised to move behind only Matthews and Bethea (16 seasons) in the number of seasons played with this franchise, and he currently is third behind Matthews (296) and Bethea (210) with 179 games played.
He doesn’t mind being called an old man.
“I’m actually embracing it. If the guys around me care enough to call me old man, that’s what I have to take right now,” Hopkins said.
To prepare for a 13th season, Hopkins, who turns 35 on Sept. 5, shed some pounds and looks 10 pounds lighter than the 295 he has been listed at the past few seasons. Coach Jeff Fisher also limited Hopkins to one practice per day in training camp.
“His aging doesn’t need the pounding,” Fisher said. “He’s been able to recover, and he’s doing well. It’s important to have confidence in who’s over there on the left side. He’s off to a real good start.
Hopkins won’t be with the Titans for the opener on Sept. 11 at Pittsburgh because the NFL finally notified him Friday that he will be suspended one game for an incident in March involving his wife. Hopkins pleaded guilty to assaulting his wife, Ellen, on March 14, because he grabbed her neck when she wouldn’t stop talking on a cell phone.
If he completes probation and anger management counseling, the plea will be expunged from his record. But his wife was with him when he appeared before a judge, and he said they made up an hour after the incident.
“There’s repercussions for my actions. I have to accept that. It’s disappointing in itself. It’s something obviously myself and my teammates have to work through,” Hopkins said. “You have to understand there’s a consequence for every action.”
On the field, Hopkins has been in top form.
“He works harder than anybody on our offensive line,” left guard Zach Piller said of Hopkins. “He sets the example for everybody. He’s the Pro Bowler. He goes as hard today as he was going when I was a rookie six, seven years ago.”
Hopkins doesn’t work the locker room, dispensing words of wisdom. He prefers to lead by example just as Matthews did for so many seasons but always is ready to offer a tip on where to put hands on a defender or bend at the knees instead of the waist.
He doesn’t believe all the predictions of another losing season.
“We’ll shock some people. That’s what I honestly think,” Hopkins said.
He certainly has the experience from which to speak.