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Titans Should Mirror Modern Day NFL

By Andrew Fortuna

Jun 17, 2014; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Titans strength and conditioning coach Steve Watterson (left) works with guard/center Eric Olsen (66) (center) and guard/center Chris Spencer (60) (right) during mini camp at Saint Thomas Sports Park. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 17, 2014; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Titans strength and conditioning coach Steve Watterson (left) works with guard/center Eric Olsen (66) (center) and guard/center Chris Spencer (60) (right) during mini camp at Saint Thomas Sports Park. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports /
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Size and strength among players in the National Football League are at an all-time high. Methods for training, specialized equipment, and nutrition supplementation have evolved tremendously over years, resulting in bigger, stronger and quicker athletes.

The best teams in the NFL, such as the Seahawks, Broncos, Panthers, Steelers and others have all taken advantage. They draft players not just by ability, but factor in body type in the decision. They mold their draft picks into their plan with great training and have many of the players we call “beasts.”

Following the model discussed, has shown a route to fast track success in the NFL. Enabling players to be in the best shape possible has propelled teams like the Seahawks and Panthers from mediocrity to Super Bowl contention. For the Broncos and Steelers, success has been reloaded. As they loose players, young first and second year guys are big and fast enough to step in and play effectively at the most difficult level.

Players such as Richard Sherman, Cam Chancellor, Von Miller, LeVeon Bell, and Kony Ealy are prime examples.

Of all the teams stuck in the bottom half of the NFL, the Titans may be in the best position to use the model. Since dealing the number one pick to the Rams, the Titans have a bevy of selections in 2016 and 2017, to say the least.

The vision of GM Jon Robinson is to build a complete roster of talent, with numerous starters and hopefully a few Pro Bowlers as well.  For that to happen, the picks need to be players who are athletically gifted. The Titans should target guys that possess the traits of current successful players in various positions.

Defensive Line : Extreme quickness around the edge, with the ability to keep lower body as low as possible while going full speed.

Offensive Line: Hands and feet in conjunction while moving fluidly and quick.

Secondary: Big, physical corners and safeties that can challenge receivers for balls at the highest point.

Wide Receiver: Combination of height and speed, allowing him the ability to fight off hands checks and shoves off the line of scrimmage.

The qualities an NFL front office is looking for in players have evolved as the league has. Through an abstract lens, NFL defenses have got bigger and stronger while NFL offenses have increased in maintaing balance, and speed.  Still many teams have not shown the ability or importance in adding players that demonstrate skills which excel in the modern, run-and-gun NFL.

In the next two drafts, the Titans have the ability to draft a group of players that can come into Nashville and work together. If they follow the model of many successful teams, they will target players that can become fast, huge, strong, and smart. A players body, and determination play a huge role in how he will advance from Day 1 in the NFL. Although, at the same time, an organizations culture and staff in place can be the ultimate key to success.

Fortunately, the Titans possess by far the longest active coach of any kind  in the NFL in Steve Watterson. Watterson is in his 31st season, and has been the Strength and Conditioning Coach for the Titans / Oilers organization since 1986. Watterson brings the experience to the Titans in a critical time. He will be working with the young players from many positions the Titans draft in the coming years. Through wins and losses, the Titans have stayed competitively fast in the NFL, however some of it has resulted from elite talent.

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Chris Johnson’s elite speed, Keith Bulluck’s strength personal effort to keep his body in elite shape, and Eddie George’s toughness and durability came with them before they came to Nashville. Watterson has worked with rookies to advance their bodies from college to pro, while he has pushed with veterans such as Steve McNair, and Jevon Kearse in training. Watterson will have possibly his largest challenge in working with a long list of rookies to mold them into elite players.

The good news is that the large list can turn into a football team filled with many young, and physically dominant players.

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