Tennessee Titans: 53-Man Roster Set For Game 1?
By Les Bailey
Tennessee Titans head coach Ken Whisenhunt and his staff spent most of the holiday weekend making roster moves after the 53-man roster was supposedly set on Saturday afternoon.
More at Titan Sized: Tennessee Titans resolve 53-man roster.
Obviously, he was not 100% happy with his depth at linebacker, and wasn’t convinced the Titans had a good enough running game to support rookie quarterback, Marcus Mariota as they prepare for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers next Sunday afternoon.
In fact, I’m not sure he’s done yet, after what he said in Monday’s press conference:
"Probably this will be our roster for Sunday, unless something becomes available that we think can really help us."
The Titans claimed a couple of linebackers off of the waiver wire on Sunday, picking up David Bass from the Chicago Bears, and Stevie Johnson from the Denver Bronco, and made a trade for Cleveland Browns running back, Terrance West.
To make room for Bass and Johnson, the Titans waived Jonathan Massaquoi and Justin Staples, along with tight end Chase Coffman.
To make room for Terrance West, they placed rookie running back, David Cobb on the short term IR.
With some of the injuries at linebacker suffered during training camp, and during the preseason games, David Bass was signed as an outside linebacker who can fill in for Brian Orakpo, and/or Derrick Morgan if they have physical problems.
Orakpo has not had much luck in staying healthy, and the Titans felt they needed some experience if they lost one of their starters. It doesn’t appear they had much faith in Massaquoi filling those needs.
Stevie Johnson will more than likely play inside.
It looks like coach Whisenhunt was concerned about his running game as well. Just when we thought he was set with Bishop Sankey and Antonio Andrews he decided to add Terrance West from the Browns.
With David Cobb having physical issues, I don’t think the coach was able to identify a real “Bell Cow” back that he could depend on with the regular season just around the corner.
Terrance West, a former third-round pick who led the Browns last season with 673 yards and 171 carries (3.9-yard average) while also rushing for four touchdowns.
West (5-10, 225) racked up 113 yards on 31 carries during the preseason while in a rotation with Isaiah Crowell.
So if you asked me, I would say that just maybe this lineup is set for game one on Sunday afternoon, but I don’t think I would bet the farm on it.
The Tennessee Titans have had a very good off season, and although they have upgraded the team at quarterback, they still need to surround Marcus Mariota with some players that can help with the success.
After all, the Titans organization and the fans around Music City would like to see something better than 2-14 again. Mariota has the fan base excited, and as giddy a bunch of teenagers.
I think this team has a real chance to go into Tampa on Sunday and win this first game.
I’m convinced the Titans got the best of the two quarterbacks in the draft, and I think it will show in game one!
Next: Tennessee Titans get front row seats to watch the champions