Titans focus on defensive linemen after losing Kearse
NASHVILLE (AP) — Tennessee’s favorite time of the offseason finally is here. Around the league, it’s known as the NFL Draft. To the cap-strapped Titans, it’s time to stock up on cheap labor.
This is a franchise that stayed out of the free agent market with the exception of re-signing its own players — backup quarterback Billy Volek, tight end Erron Kinney and a handful of restricted free agents.
Now they have 11 picks, including No. 27 overall, to fill in around co-MVP Steve McNair, Pro Bowl receiver Derrick Mason and All-Pro linebacker Keith Bulluck — all homegrown talent.
“We find it a little more exciting to bring in somebody brand new and have them fit and have them have a career, and hopefully a pretty good career,” general manager Floyd Reese said.
It’s worked well.
The Titans went 12-4 last season and reached the playoffs for the fourth time in five seasons with 31 draft picks, including 18 of 22 starters.
But they enter this draft with their biggest hole since 1999 because they chose not to keep defensive end Jevon Kearse.
The man who led the Titans in sacks four of his five seasons now is in Philadelphia because the Titans weren’t convinced he was truly healthy. Injuries to his left foot limited him to nine-and-a-half sacks last season and only two the year before.
The defensive line is even thinner because they also let tackle Robaire Smith leave for Houston.
“Strictly from a need standpoint, that’s probably without a doubt No. 1 and probably the only area that we really need to focus on,” Reese said.
The 27th pick won’t be high enough to land defensive end Kenechi Udeze of Southern Cal or even Will Smith of Ohio State. Ends Antwan Odom of Alabama and Justin Babin of Western Michigan could be tempting and available.
If the Titans don’t go for defense with that pick for a sixth straight year, they could try tight end Ben Troupe of Florida to fill another hole.
The Titans keep boasting they have 20 of 22 starters returning, but that’s because veteran Frank Wycheck hasn’t filed his retirement papers yet. That leaves them with two tight ends in an offense that needs three.
Tennessee has some picks to bargain with after adding the 42nd overall pick by trading receiver Justin McCareins to the New York Jets last month. But since moving to Tennessee in 1997, the franchise hasn’t moved up more than one spot in the first round.
That’s because the Titans prefer to stock up on as many players as possible, trusting in their scouts and letting the coaches take over.
“It’s all part of the machinery,” said Reese, whose Titans are tied with St. Louis for the NFL’s best record since 1999.
Superior scouting might allow the Titans to wait until the second round or later for their defensive linemen. They picked up Outland Trophy winner Rien Long in the fourth round last year.
The Titans likely will pick up a running back for depth, especially since they haven’t had any luck getting Eddie George to reduce his salary for this season.
They also need an offensive linemen or two with left tackle Brad Hopkins and right tackle Fred Miller both aging and expensive. A torn ACL for backup cornerback Tony Beckham last week means they will look for defensive backs.
They also want a quarterback to compete with Jason Gesser for the No. 3 slot.
“We might shock somebody and take a kicker,” coach Jeff Fisher said with a smile.
With Joe Nedney returning from a torn ACL in his non-kicking leg, that may be the only position they don’t consider.
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