Oct 7, 2012; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Tennessee Titans defensive back Alterraun Verner (20) against the Minnesota Vikings at the Metrodome. The Vikings defeated the Titans 30-7. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports

Alterraun Verner recently took some time to answer a few of my questions about OTAs and the upcoming season via email. For those of you unfamiliar with Verner he plays cornerback and is truly a key piece for the Titans defense. He’s an extremely versatile player that can play multiple positions in the defensive backfield. Take a look at what Alterraun had to say about the Titans’ defensive changes and additions:

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Carlos (Interviewer): Hi Alterraun, thanks for taking the time to answer these questions for me. Lets get started.

Carlos:  Jim Wyatt of The Tennessean recently reported that the Titans defense was going through a bit of a schematic change this offseason, moving from the Cover 2 to more of a press-man scheme. You’ve been very impressive in the current defensive scheme; do you think that will carry over into the press-man defense? Which scheme do you think your skill-set better suits you for?

Alterraun Verner (Player): Yes it should carry over a lot. 3 of my 6 career interceptions have come out of man-to-man coverage. So I see no reason why things will change for us going to a predominantly press-man scheme. It is still football. The scheme that better fits me is probably zone, not because of my physical attributes, but for my mental game. I like to dissect formations, situations, personnel, etc. In a press alignment you are not allowed to make those adjustments as much since you are in the receivers’ face. So that is why zone suits me more, but playing man is way easier!

Carlos: John Glennon also of The Tennessean reported that you’ve been taking reps at the free safety position during OTAs. Do you enjoy playing free safety and how is it different from playing cornerback?  Do you think we’ll see some of that during the regular season?

Alterraun Verner: I have no idea if you will see this in the regular season. No plans have been made to that extent. Playing safety you are at a position where you can make a lot of plays. You are the saving grace of the defense so you can’t afford to make a mistake at all. The whole defense relies on you to be where you should. But also, you have the best view of the entire offense and get a chance to key the QB more. With that said, I enjoyed playing the position right now, but I am definitely a corner!

Carlos: There’s some really great talent at cornerback on the roster right now with you, Jason McCourty, Tommie Campbell, Coty Sensabaugh, and rookies Blidi Wreh-Wilson and Khalid Wooten. With all that talent at your position, does it make you more competitive than usual? How do you feel about competition at OTAs and training camp?

Alterraun Verner: Adding talent to the team at this position is always essential. We play a vital role on the success of this team. The ability to play any of us and find success will be paramount especially since injury happens at times. I would not say it has made me more competitive. My goal every year is to try to be the best cornerback on the team, so I am motivated to perform well every year.  With that said, the competition has been amazing so far! I feel like everyone has been trying to make plays and impress the coaches. It’s been highly competitive on both sides of the ball! Training camp will be even more intense.

Carlos: The Titans added a lot of great players through free agency and the draft during the offseason. George Wilson and Bernard Pollard are two of those players who will join you in the secondary. They have both been in the league awhile and are considered to be two of the best players at the safety position. How do you feel the addition of these two players will help to improve the defense and the secondary in particular?

Alterraun Verner: I have so much respect for these two players. They will help us from a leadership position most definitely, being older vets and successful as well. They also bring accountability to the team which will be a good change for us. I am very excited to play with these guys.

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Seeing how excited Alterraun is about the upcoming season makes me as a fan even more excited. I cannot wait to see how this revamped defense performs this season. I’d like to thank Alterraun Verner for doing this interview for me, it was definitely a great experience for a Titans fan!

Follow me on twitter for Tennessee Titans updates, opinions, and of course Titan Sized articles! @CarlosBeard

And be sure to follow Alterraun Verner if you don’t already! @Alvern_1

©JustinLStewart

Searching for links to Tennessee Titans news? Titan Sized will post a weekly, possibly twice-per-week article that featured links from around the web. We’re not looking for material from major websites (ESPN, The Tennessean, CBS Sports, etc.). We just want to give some additional exposure to small and medium-sized fan blogs and the quality works that they published.

Do you have any blog that you’d like to see regularly featured on our links page? What about an article? Contact titansizedhuffman@gmail and he’ll make sure to keep an eye on your blog for news, interviews and editorials. Some examples of the types of fan blogs and discussion boards that we’re looking to promote include Music City Miracles, Sports By Sharona, Total Titans, Titans Report, Pro Football Spot and Titan Talk Nation. We’ll also consider tweets.

LINKS: June 11-17, 2013

Kenneth G from Music City Miracles has started a new Titans fan blog, Titan Talk Nation. Check it out here.

Last week, former Titan Sized assistant editor and lead columnist Josh Gunnels accepted a position as a contributor at Music City Miracles. Check out one of his latest pieces about Nate Washington and how he’s leading the receivers at OTAs.

Pro Football Spot gets into the discussion about Nate Washington and how he fits with the 2013-14 Titans roster. Check it out here.

Pro Football Focus analyst Nathaniel Peters-Kroll has an interesting piece about Taylor Thompson and how he could progress into a “secret superstar” this season. Check it out here

Gramsey712 from Music City Miracles had an experience when they attended the 2nd Annual Mike Munchak‘s Strikes to Stop Diabetes. Check it out here.

Sep 30, 2012; Houston, TX, USA; Tennessee Titans defensive end Scott Solomon (90) defends against the Houston Texans offense during the game at Reliant Stadium. The Texans defeated the Titans 38-14. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

It’s not an encouraging sign when a player who would’ve had a difficult time making the Week 1 roster at his original position finds himself competing for a roster spot at a brand new position. Typically, that implies two things: the player wasn’t that good and there’s limited depth at his new position.

That’s the situation that lies ahead for Tennessee Titans linebacker—formerly defensive end—Scott Solomon. Despite the limited depth at defensive end during the 2012-13 NFL season, Solomon rarely saw any playing time behind Derrick Morgan and Kamerion Wimbley. Entering his second season, Solomon will attempt to make the switch to strong-side linebacker during training camp.

Should fans expect any surprises from this transition? In a player interview from titansonline.com, Solomon claimed that there are many similarities between playing defensive end and outside linebacker. Solomon feels more comfortable with the defense and he believes that this transition will give him more opportunities.

Solomon has never been recognized as the greatest athlete. During his college career at Rice University, Solomon relied on his motor and effort. That wasn’t enough to gain the trust of the coaching staff, at least not during his rookie season.

There’s little chance that Solomon would beat out Akeem Ayers, Zach Brown or third-round rookie Zaviar Gooden on the depth chart. For Solomon, it’s important that he shows enough talent on special teams to where he could replace Tim Shaw and-or Patrick Bailey. Injuries at DE or LB will also help his chances.

What do our readers believe? Will Scott Solomon make the 2013-14 Tennessee Titans Week 1 roster? Has management overvalued size and underemphasized talent?