Titans 2013 NFL Draft: Reading The Tennessee Titans Tea Leaves
By Josh Gunnels
The Titans 2013 NFL Draft possibilities have my head spinning. Time to make some tea and meditate!
Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
With the Titans 2013 NFL Draft only a day away I’m making my final prediction of what the Titans will do with the 10th overall pick in the first round. This isn’t what I feel they should do, but more of an attempt to look at all the “signs” available.
There is no true consensus with what the Titans will do, but the majority of pundits and draft experts have the Titans taking either Johnathan Cooper or Chance Warmack. The right guard position is also the strongest remaining need the Titans have on their roster. I don’t disagree with how much sense this move would make, but I can’t bring myself to believe it will happen.
Quick education: Tasseography is the ancient art of Tea Leaf reading. You are suppossed to meditate, brew a cup of tea and drink it. Once you are finished drinking the tea, you swirl your leaves around and turn your cup upside down. When you look at the shapes the tea leaves made inside your cup, you are then able to read into your future, soul, issues, inner child, etc.
I didn’t have time to make tea tonight, so I settled for some Bourbon and Skittles.
This is what they told me:
Recent History
Last year all the pundits had the Titans taking the best offensive lineman in David DeCastro if he fell all the way to 20th. Which he did…and they didn’t. What about the next greatest need the Titans had at DE? The Patriots snagged Chandler Jones directly after the Titans picked, who ended up making a huge difference for their defensive front in his rookie year.
Offensive Line Gurus
We are all aware of Mike Munchak and Bruce Matthews history. Two Hall Of Fame lineman that believe they can coach-up anyone to be like them. For the most part, they’ve had incredible success over their careers. It’s almost as if drafting a guard in the top 10 would be admitting incompetence.
Eugene Amano
Amano may not be a world beater, but he was a starting guard for the Titans when CJ ran for over 2,000 yards. His play obviously declined at center, but put between a good center and tackle, he could be just fine. Amano is still on the roster and could allow the Titans to make a different move in the first round.
Defensive Needs
It seems that most of the long term Free Agency moves were made on the offensive side of the ball. As bad as the offense was last year, the defense was even worse. The 2 safeties the Titans signed were for 1 and 2 year deals only. Pass rush and secondary help are still two glaring needs the Titans have on a league worst defense. Other than Sammie Lee Hill, the defensive signings were of the backup or short term variety. That leaves the draft as the last remaining spot to upgrade a deficient side of the ball.
Gregg Williams
The addition of Gregg Williams and subsequently Bernard Pollard leads me to believe the Titans will focus less on the pass rush than the public would like. Although the stats are a little skewed, sacks don’t equal wins, and the Titans actually had better pressure on opposing QB’s last year than they get credit for. Between Gregg Williams’ schemes, Akeem Ayers and Bernard Pollard, DE isn’t going to be a necessity.
RESULTS/BOLD PREDICTIONS
If Floyd or Star fall, I see the Titans taking one of them due to the sheer “value” presented. If not, they go corner with their first pick.
The Titans will draft an interior offensive lineman as well as a tackle, but neither in the first round.
A cornerback or safety will be taken in the first two rounds.
The Titans will trade up, but not with their first pick. I’m still hoping they actually trade down with that one.
The Titans will take no more than one skill position on the offensive side of the ball.
Does any of this sound familiar? Last year, WR and OLB were probably in the 3rd to 5th range of “need” for the Titans. Yet that’s where they went with their 1-2 punch to open the draft. You may say that those that don’t learn from history are due to repeat it. Well, I’ve learned. When the Titans take this years Kendall Wright after passing on top prospects at positions of need, I will try not to be shocked.
Maybe writing this is just a way of casting a “reverse jinx” on the entire situation. I really don’t know anymore. I’m beginning to rethink my thoughts that have already been rethunk. If there’s anything I would bet on, it’s that none of what I wrote will transpire!
You can follow me on Twitter, or not. @gunnelsj