Tennessee Titans: Analyzing The 53-Man Roster
By Les Bailey
There were some surprises after the Tennessee Titans made their final cuts ahead of the 4:00PMEastern) deadline on Saturday afternoon. While most fans were guessing which tight ends would stay and who would go, head coach Ken Whisenhunt pulled the trigger, and kept all five.
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Others groups were not quite as lucky and lost more bodies than normal. With all of the wide receivers in camp, only four will be suiting up for the season opener in Tampa on September 8th.
After analysis of the waiver wire, the final roster could change again before the season gets underway, with possible changes coming anytime. Some of the players who worked through training camp could be picked up by other teams, or become part of the practice squad.
But here is how the roster looks today:
Quarterbacks:
Marcus Mariota, Zach Mettenberger and Charlie Whitehurst.
No changes here.
Running Backs:
Bishop Sankey, David Cobb, Antonio Andrews, Dexter McCluster and Jalston Fowler st Full back.
Wide Receivers:
Kendall Wright, Harry Douglas, Justin Hunter and Dorial Green-Beckham.
Tight Ends:
Delanie Walker, Anthony Fasano, Craig Stevens, Chase Coffman and Philip Supernaw.
Offensive Line:
Taylor Lewan, Byron Bell, Brian Schwenke, Chance Warmack, Jeremiah Poutasi, Andy Gallick, Quinton Spain, and Jamon Meredith.
Defensive Line:
Jurrell Casey, DaQuan Jones, Al Woods, Karl Klug, Angelo Blackson, Sammie Hill, Ropati Pitoitua, and Mike Martin.
Linebackers:
Derrick Morgan, Brian Orakpo, Zach Brown, Avery Williamson, Wesley Woodward, Diontrez Mount, Jonathan Massaquoi and Justin Staples.
Secondary:
Jason McCourty, Perrish Cox, Blidi Wreh-Wilson, Michael Griffin, Da’Norris Searcy, Coty Sensabaugh, Cody Riggs, Marqueston Huff, and Damion Stafford.
Specials:
Ryan Succop, Brett Kerb and Beau Brinkley.
The Titans also placed three players on injured reserve. Linebackers Zavier Gooden, J.R. Tavai and Yawin Smallwood.
Players released on Saturday included Hakeem Nicks, Tre McBride, Tre Mason, Byron Stingley, Josue Matias, Will Poehls, Jacoby Ford, Rico Richardson and Alex Tanney.
Analysis:
Surprises included the Titans keeping five tight ends and four wide receivers, but injuries last year devastated the tight ends and not only did both Philip Supernaw and Chase Coffman work hard in training camp, both earned coach Whisenhunt’s respect by playing different positions in various scenarios.
Both lead the team in receptions during the preseason and with Supernaw’s contribution to special teams, both earned a spot on the 53-man roster.
While it’s unusual to keep five tight ends, one may still be on the bubble if the team picks up a needed player on the waiver wire.
The Titans kept five corners and four safeties, but Huff’s versatile enough to do both. With McCourty still recovering from groin surgery, the team needed to protect itself here. Riggs earned his spot, and in the process became the first undrafted cornerback to make the initial 53-man roster in the Titans era.
A total of 10 rookies made the initial 53-man roster. Changes, of course, could still come before the Titans face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on September 13.
All indications are that Dexter McCluster will handle punt return duties, and Bishop Sankey, along with Antonio Andrews will handle kickoff returns.
Bishop Sankey will more than likely do most of the heavy lifting early in the running game, but I really liked what I saw out of Antonio Andrews when he ran behind some of the starters. David Cobb is still nursing health issues.
I also liked David Fluellen, and if one of the backs can’t answer the bell, he would be a nice keeper for the practice squad.
Having two young quarterbacks that are as good as Marcus Mariota and Zach Mettenberger is a nice problem to have, but you have to think that if Mariota proves himself and stays healthy before the trade deadline in November, Zach Mettenberger may become available for one of the many teams needing a quarterback.
I liked how the defense responded in the finale’ against the Vikings on Thursday night, and although I think the defense is the key to the season, felt like the Titans kept the right people.
We will get an entirely different look out of this defense when the regular season starts, with Brian Orakpo and Derrick Morgan in the lineup for the lion’s share of the snaps.
A good solid pass rush will take some of the pressure off of the question marks still in the secondary.
Let’s get ready for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the opener on September 13th.
I can’t wait!
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