First Down And Tenn: Tennessee Titans Wednesday OTA’s
By Les Bailey
When I joined TitanSized back in February and started covering the Tennessee Titans, finding stories at the NFL outlets on television was tough. Neither ESPN or the NFL Channel offered much news about the Titans other than the hiring of defensive guru, Dick LeBeau. After the drafting of Marcus Mariota on May 1st everything changed.
Marcus Mariota, Titans to emulate Eagles, Dolphins? – Chris Wesseling Around The NFL
General manager Ruston Webster revealed to NFL Network early this month that the Titans had already begun tailoring their offense to Marcus Mariota before selecting the Oregon star in the 2015NFL Draft.
Now we know which offenses and quarterbacks coach Ken Whisenhunt is emulating as he veers from a more rigid system that has served him well for the past decade.
In addition to studying Mariota’s college scheme, Tennessee’s coaches looked at the offenses of the Eagles,Dolphins and Bengals to create a system that will best enhance their new quarterback’s unique skill set, according to Bleacher Report’s Dan Pompei.
Tennessee Titans WR Dorial Green-Beckham held back by hamstring – Paul Kuharsky ESPN
Tennessee Titans second-round pick Dorial Green-Beckham was part of the team’s first OTA practice on Tuesday, but didn’t finish as he re-aggravated a hamstring injury he suffered during the team’s rookie minicamp that ran from May 15-17.
"“DGB’s hamstring flared up on him again,” coach Ken Whisenhunt said. “That’s frustrating, because you want to walk that balance. You want him out there, but you don’t want to push him so much that you lise him for the rest of the OTAs. I don’t think there is anything serious right now, but we may lose him for the week.”"
Shonn Greene not in attendance at Tennessee Titans’ OTA practice – Terry McCormick 247 Sports
Veteran running back Shonn Greene was not at the Titans first OTA on Tuesday, and Coach Ken Whisenhunt seemed to walk a fine line when discussing the veteran running back who is on the bubble of keeping his roster spot.
"“It is voluntary. Obviously we would like to have him here, but he’s a veteran and he knows how to get himself prepared,” Whisenhunt said."
Greene is at home helping to take care of his young child and has been training on his own. However, his roster spot could be in jeopardy as well as he enters the final year of a three-year, $10 million contract signed in 2013. During his first two seasons with the Titans he has been bothered by injuries as well. Greene has not been in attendance at the Titans off-season program either.
Titans Offensive Linemen Look to Protect Rookie QB – Theresa M. Walker AP
Brian Schwenke said know that they have to protect the quarterback, especially when it’s a rookie and the No. 2 selection overall in the draft. That’s something a player tucks away in the back of his mind so he can focus on playing hard.
"”You hear more people talking about it than you’re actually thinking about it,” Schwenke said Wednesday. ”You hear coaches, `We got a rookie back there. You better block for him.’ I just personally go out there and do my job.”"
Texans will star in 10th season of HBO’s ‘Hard Knocks’ – Dan Hanzus Around The NFL
The Texans announced Wednesday that they will take part in the 10th season of the acclaimed HBO documentary series that offers an inside look at NFL training camp. The season premieres Aug. 11.
The Texans are the first AFC South team to make a star turn on Hard Knocks and the fifth AFC team to appear on the show in the past six years. Houston was among the nine teams that the NFL could require to appear on the show in accordance to a league rule passed in 2013, though it’s possible — and probably likely — that the franchise is a willing participant.
Next: Tennessee Titans: OTA's May 27