Titans Filled Needs on Draft Weekend
JTB - April 30, 2008
The draft weekend started with great news for the Titans as news broke that they reached a long-term deal with LT Michael Roos who was about to enter the last year of his rookie deal. Despite a reputation for being tight, GM Mike Reinfeldt
and Salary Cap guru Vinnie Marino forked over some serious coin for Roos, who is on the cusp of becoming an elite Left Tackle. Roos signed a 6-year deal worth $ 43 M that contains $ 15 M in guaranteed money and $ 25 M over the first 3 years of the agreement. Next up for long-term deals are franchise DT Albert Haynesworth and two restricted free agents for 2008, RT David Stewart and Pro Bowl Kicker Rob Bironas. In news that was under the radar, the Titans also signed veteran Punter Josh Miller,
which could very well mean that the versatile Craig Hentrich may be near the end of his career.
As everyone knows, the national reaction to the Titans draft has been luke warm at best aside from a few exceptions, one being CNNSI and NFLN analyst Michael Lombardi, who was the long-time personnel guy for the Raiders up until last season and the other being draft guru Rick Gosselin. Most of the critics focus in on two issues - why did the Titans fail to draft a WR early on and why did they pick a RB early for the third straight draft. To me, the answers to those are fairly simple. First off, the WR's in this draft did not represent a clear upgrade over what they currently have evidenced by no WR going in round one at all. Secondly, the choice of RB Chris Johnson is to fill multiple roles as he's unlike any player the Titans have on the roster. Johnson has legit 4.25 speed and can play immediately at RB, in the slot, and as the primary kick returner. He's basically a Reggie Bush/Marshall Faulk/Brian Westbrook type of player who fits what Mike Heimerdinger wants to do by utilizing more spread formations to exploit all of Vince Young's skills. Johnson is a perfect complement to Lendale White and perhaps Chris Henry as the pure RB's so to speak.
The remaining picks all made sense in the grand scheme of things. Jason Jones can play LDE and shift inside to be a nickel DT that will help replace the FA losses of Antwan Odom and Randy Starks. TE Craig Stevens is the complete TE the Titans have needed and can immediately replace Ben Hartsock's role as the primary in-line blocker. Late riser William Hayes (I admit I had never heard of him) should fill the role of Travis LaBoy long-term while learning behind Jevon Kearse. The lone WR selected, Lavelle Hawkins of Cal, comes across to me as a Derrick Mason type of receiver and should compete for the slot receiver role while being long-term insurance as three of the veteran WR's on the roster (Roydell Williams, Brandon Jones, and Justin McCareins) are unrestricted free agents after this season. OLB Stanford Keglar can immediately play on special teams and be a long-term solution down the road as Bulluck and Thornton get older. 7th round CB Cary Williams has the prototypical height/speed you want in a CB and could be a real find. He's got to make a leap in the level of competition but the Titans have had luck with these types of players before.
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