Tennessee Titans: post-draft player hot seat
By P. L. Colter
The draft is an exciting time for NFL front offices, head coaches, and fans. And because of the fans, it’s an especially exciting time for the various media outlets that cater to them.
Titan Sized included.
But in the midst of the pomp and circumstance that is the NFL draft, there is a small segment of people who are not celebrating…..
The often overlooked variable in this equation are the current NFL players that are hanging on by a thread with their team. The struggling player…the aging player…the soon to be over-priced player.
For weeks and weeks they hear the talk….
“This team is weak in this area. That player struggled mightily last season. This player is scheduled to count X amount of dollars next season…and he’s turning 36”.
For them the process is an excruciating reminder of their football mortality. For them…their job is about to be outsourced to a younger, faster, cheaper, or sometimes just plain ole’ better version of themselves.
I’m willing to bet that they didn’t throw a draft party.
For the Tennessee Titans, these players should feel uneasy after analyzing the new recruits.
Oct 5, 2014; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Titans wide receiver Justin Hunter (15) catches a pass against Cleveland Browns defensive back Buster Skrine (22) during the first half at LP Field. Mandatory Credit: Don McPeak-USA TODAY Sports
Justin Hunter: WR: Heading into his third season, wide receiver Justin Hunter has failed to live up to his potential. He’d show flashes here and there, but was otherwise injured or inconsistent. With their offseason moves, Tennessee now has 5 other receivers that can push for significant playing time. Kendall Wright, Harry Douglas, Hakeem Nicks, Dorial Green-Beckham, and Tre McBride. Hunter will not only have to improve, he will have to impress to keep a roster spot this time around.
Shonn Greene: RB: Greene, and his multi-million dollar salary, were essentially draft day casualties when the Titans selected rb David Cobb in the 5th round. Like Greene, Cobb is a willing runner between the tackles. A nice change of pace back to second year rb Bishop Sankey. Whatever goal line value Greene may have had was diminished when Tennessee selected fb Jalston Fowler in the 4th round. Plus…Greene will be 30 this summer, and you know what they say about 30 year old running backs. It’s been real.
Brian Schwenke: C: Yes, Schwenke will enter training camp as the unquestioned starter. I’m saying that he should put himself on the hot seat, because the Titans picked up a center in the 6th round that may gain on him sooner than later. Andy Gallik was a four year starter at Boston College, and Tennessee’s front four will find out this summer that he has a tough as nails, street brawl mentality to his game. Gallik, and his nastiness, will endear himself really quickly. Especially with Taylor Lewan, who plays that way himself. Stay on your p’s and q’s Schwenke.
Mike Martin: DT: Entering the fourth and final year of his contract, defensive tackle Mike Martin is officially on the hot seat. For starters…the production. No sacks last season, and a total of four in his career. Injuries have played their part, but the Titans took a dt in the fourth round for a reason. As if the position wasn’t already stacked with Jurrell Casey, Sammie Hill, Karl Klug, DaQuan Jones, and Ropati Pitoitua. If rookie Angelo Blackson makes an immediate impression, then Martin will be lucky to make it to the season opener.
This is the start of a series that will be updated throughout the year.
Next: Tennessee Titans trade the right pick