Family Ties

With the 207th pick, the Tennessee Titans select Myron Rolle, Safety Florida State University.  If you are as ardent a Titans fan as I, the sound of those words made your heart leap just as they did mine.  During the NFL Scouting Season Myron Rolle was one the most controversial players coming out of college, not because of any trouble he got himself into off the field but for his accomplishments in the classroom.  Anyone who has lived in the United States and even remotely turns to ESPN or the NFL Network for five minutes during the NFL Scouting Season, knows that Myron Rolle is the second Rhodes Scholar in NFL history and the first since Pat Haden in 1978.  Myron Rolle is also the cousin to former Titans Cornerback Samari Rolle who left the Titans during free agency and played for the Ravens up until last season. I expect to see Rolle win the starting Nickelback spot and groomed to replace Chris Hope in a few seasons.

Kevin Matthews is one of the fifteen undrafted free agents that the Titans signed

following the 2010 NFL Draft.  If the last name seems familiar to you, it should.  Kevin’s father is none other then former Oiler/Titan great and Hall Of Fame Offensive Lineman Bruce Matthews.  Kevin was signed out of Texas A&M where he saw action in 33 games and started in 24 of them, helping to lead the Aggies revamped Offensive Line to 190.4 rushing yards per game.

Kevin was also an Honorable Mention All Big-12 selection and was in sights to win the Rimington Trophy which is awarded to the top Center in the country.  Look for Kevin to be a backup for the first few seasons of his career under the tutelage of Hall of Fame player Mike Munchak, the Titans Offensive Line coach, but with a family bloodline like his that includes his Grandfather Clay Matthews Sr (played in the 1950’s) Father, Uncle Clay Matthews II (Linebacker) and his Cousin Clay Matthews III (Linebacker for the Packers) he could see himself playing sooner if he proves to keep the bloodline talent running.

Keeping up with the Offensive Line is Nick Howell, son of former Oilers Offensive Lineman Pat Howell.  Nick is coming out of USC where he was a perennial backup starting only a handful of games when an injury would arise.  I look for Nick to be a camp body and a draft favor for his father Pat to help him get his feet wet in the NFL, however with the help of an injury and hardwork in camp, Nick could very well earn himself a 3rd string roster spot.