What a draft by the Titans!

#1

Sabanocchio

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 11, 2007
Messages
17,286
Likes
1
#1
They did the best job in the later rounds IMO. Filled all needs -- most with high-quality players. I'm sure there are negative Nancies that will put their two cents in about this or that player whom we should have drafted instead, but a steal getting Derrick Morgan where we did -- same with Williams and Curran IMO. Curran was underutilized at Georgia and has a ton of pro potential

Got a guy in Myron Rolle that is an impact-type player. Doesn't hurt that he's a Rhodes' Scholar. David Howard has a ton of upside. He grades out much higher than a 7th rounder and dropped due to an isolated incident off-the-field. Several guys could help out in the return game which I think was the #1 need. Overall, I would give this class a B+. The QB and lack of a second linebacker drops it IMO.

Someone explain to me why Myron Rolle lasted so long. Is there a thought out there that he may not be committed to football?

1 16 (16) Morgan, Derrick DE

3 13 (77) Williams, Damian WR

3 33 (97) Curran, Rennie LB
(Compensatory selection)

4 6 (104) Verner, Alterraun CB
(From Seahawks)

5 17 (148) Johnson, Robert DB

6 7 (176) Smith, Rusty QB
(From Seahawks)

6 38 (207) Rolle, Myron SS
(Compensatory selection)

7 15 (222) Mariani, Marc WR

7 34 (241) Howard, David DT
 
Last edited:
#2
#2
I think you are going to have a hard time coming up with a Negative Nancy... It was a damn good draft.
 
#3
#3
Fisher said in his post-draft presser that they will continue to try and identify DTs both through trade and the un-drafted free agent route. LBs too.
 
#4
#4
The Titans already have Young, Kerry Collins and Chris Simms on the roster.

But they used their first pick in the sixth round - the one nine picks earlier thanks to the Seattle trade - on Florida Atlantic quarterback Rusty Smith. The 6-foot-5, 230-pound Smith visited with the Titans and impressed with his strong arm and his feet in the pocket, having played under the center most of his career.

Smith is very different from another quarterback at the First Baptist Church in Jacksonville - Tim Tebow, who's facing questions on whether he can work under center after running the spread offense. Smith said he's only spoken to Tebow 15 or 20 times.

"It's a very, very, very big church," Smith said.

.
 
#5
#5
The Titans signed former Southern Cal running back Stafon Johnson, who suffered a near-fatal weightlifting accident last year, after the NFL draft on Saturday.

The Titans also signed Texas A&M offensive lineman Kevin Matthews, son of former Titans offensive lineman and Pro Football Hall of Famer Bruce Matthews, and Ole Miss tight end Gerald Harris.

Quantcast

Johnson injured his throat in the 2009 weightlifting accident and required emergency surgery.

He had rushed for 157 yards and five touchdowns in four games at the time of the accident. He had 1,552 yards and 19 touchdowns in his career at USC.

He’ll have a chance to compete for a roster spot now that the Titans have traded running back LenDale White. Javon Ringer, a fifth-round pick last year, is currently behind starter Chris Johnson.
.
 
#6
#6
Marc Mariani could be a bigger version and faster version of Jordan Shipley. Could play into the return game, IMO.
 
#7
#7
Did not know the Titans signed Stafon Johnson. I think he could contribute, really. But man, what a good draft. Titans are trending upwards.

But got to do something about Nick freakin Harper.
 
#8
#8
The only other running back on the roster besides CJ is Ringer so I think Johnson could make the 53. We also signed Bruce Matthews' kid.
 
#9
#9
Damien Williams could help a whole lot. The return game hasnt been there at all since Pac left. They say he is exciting. I havent seen alot of him playing.
 
#11
#11
Myron lasted so long because he's an above average football player.

Or bc since he went to study in oxford rather than going straight pro, people worried since he hadn't played in a year and b/c the Rhodes scholarship choice made them question his devotion to football
Posted via VolNation Mobile
 
#12
#12
Plenty of negative people on the GoTitans boards, lol. I think people mostly thought we should somehow get 1st/2nd rounders for Lendale White and Kevin Vickerson.

I'm not expecting immediate Pro Bowls for Myron Rolle or anything, but I think Rolle and Johnson have the potential to provide excellent safety depth with the potential of pushing guys like Hope out in a year or two.

If no one remembers, Johnson picked off two passes against Bama in the Sugar Bowl so he automatically gets on my good side. :)
 
#13
#13
Or bc since he went to study in oxford rather than going straight pro, people worried since he hadn't played in a year and b/c the Rhodes scholarship choice made them question his devotion to football
Posted via VolNation Mobile

That may have dropped him some but the reason he went late is because he is simply an above average player.
 
#15
#15
Rusty Smith = practice squad

I think they're hoping to try to develop him into a backup, in the same sense of what they did with Billy Volek...so they don't have to have an old veteran or Chris Simms for that role
 
#16
#16
Myron lasted so long because he's an above average football player.

You're insane. Had Marlon come out last year he would've been a 1st -3rd round pick by every account. He did everything right at FSU and was a leader on that team. The guy has all the physical skills in the world. 3rd team All-American in '08, 2nd team All-ACC. Average players do not post games like the following: 4 tackles (2 touchdown saving tackles), 1 tackle for loss, 4 pass breakups, 1 sack, 2 quarterback hurries and 3 critical 3rd down stops. And that was in a rivalry game against a good Miami team.

On researching it a little more, the question was whether he was committed to the game enough after taking the year off. I don't get the concern though. I don't know many that would pass up the opportunity to study at Oxford free for a year.

Again, the concern is where his devotion lies. Judging by how well he balanced football with academics at FSU, I don't think there will be any motivation issues. The draft is finicky like that though.
 
Last edited:
#17
#17
I think they're hoping to try to develop him into a backup, in the same sense of what they did with Billy Volek...so they don't have to have an old veteran or Chris Simms for that role

You're right that they foresee him in a backup role, but his development will take several years (Billy Volek was a good example here.) and Simms may be long gone by then.
 
#19
#19
Agree with the OP.

The Titans have always been able to address their needs as well as, if not better than most. Their fault to the extreme is they are as cheap, if not cheaper than most in the willingness to keep that talent. I think it falls to the mentality of the business people in the organization and this state in general.
 
#20
#20
Agree with the OP.

The Titans have always been able to address their needs as well as, if not better than most. Their fault to the extreme is they are as cheap, if not cheaper than most in the willingness to keep that talent. I think it falls to the mentality of the business people in the organization and this state in general.

Maybe, but they usually do so well in the draft that it doesn't make a whole lot of sense to shell out big bucks to keep a guy around that they don't feel deserves it.

They keep a core group of players intact and surround them with bargain talent. When their ability no longer matches the dollar figure the player thinks they are worth, then you see players leave for more money elsewhere. Think about the players that this has applied to though and their careers elsewhere. (Kearse, Randall Godfrey, Steve, Eddie...the jury is still out on Haynesworth, but I don't think there is much of an argument that he got more than he was worth. Injuries and durability play a large part in this)

What the Titans need to do is be less frugal in Free agency. Championship teams are built largely in free agency and it's time to open the pocketbook and fill some needs there will high-caliber players.

I think the core group we have right now is in the top tier league-wise.
 
#21
#21
Agree with the OP.

The Titans have always been able to address their needs as well as, if not better than most. Their fault to the extreme is they are as cheap, if not cheaper than most in the willingness to keep that talent. I think it falls to the mentality of the business people in the organization and this state in general.

They're not the cheapest in the league really - Philly has the reputation of keeping like 20 million free for a rainy day

they're issue is that they set an amount based on a player's performance, and pay them as such; if they don't feel the player is worth outrageous money that they might ask for, they let them go. They're often willing to negotiate but not necessarily b/c some not superstar player's agent say "triple my player's salary"

The people who they feel earn it well - watch Chris Johnson when the contract talks come up (actual, not comparative)- will get their money


The other thing though too is they sign people they feel fit best, not necessarily go out for who has the biggest name, which upsets fans. They're not a "throw money b/c you're big name" either
 
#22
#22
They really do make the draft exciting every year. Cannot wait to see how this team shapes up this year.

I am predicting a break thru for Sen'Derrick Marks this year.
 
#23
#23
I think Myron Rolle is my new favorite Titan. It will be nice to have a player that you never have to worry about any behavioral problems. Plus, he just has so much class, and you just don't see that much out of the NFL. He is a perfect role model that you can be a very intelligent young man, as well as a great football player.

Also, I don't think there should be concern about his dedication to football. I think it was said on here before, but I don't know anyone who would pass up studying in Oxford for free for a year. I also hear that he was still working on his game every day while over the pond studying.

I look forward to seeing him flourish here in the blues!
 
#24
#24
I really like the Marc Mariani who I hadn't heard of til yesterday. Then I looked him up he not only could help in the return game but possibly be that possession guy with speed the Titans have needed the past several years.

He is 6'1, around 190-195 and ran 4.48 and 4.49 in the 40 at the Montana Pro Day with a 4.25 short shuttle. He was a 2009 ASSOCIATED PRESS FCS FIRST TEAM ALL-AMERICAN.

He was also voted onto both the ALL-BIG SKY CONFERENCE 1st team and 2nd team. He was voted 1st team at WR and 2nd team as a kick returner.

He had 81 Receptions last season for 1,495 yards. He has just over 3,000 career yards and 29 touchdowns.
 

VN Store



Back
Top