The nominees for Best Rookie for the Tennessee Titans 2012 season are:

• Kendall Wright – The Titans first round pick.  Wight led the Titans receivers with 64 catches and ended up with 626 yards.
• Zach Brown – The Titans second round pick.  A fast weak side linebacker that developed and came on strong by the end of the year.
• Mike Martin – The third round selection for the Titans.  Martin shows a lot of promise but was slowly worked into the tackle rotation this year.

And the winner is………..

Zach Brown!!!!!!!

The competition wasn’t that fierce this year for this award category other than Kendall Wright.  Kendall wright played great and was underutilized on a struggling offense.  Zach Brown steadily increased his play and awareness during the season and became one of thelone bright spots on a dismal Titans defense.

The Tennessee Titans shocked fans when they took Zach Brown in the second round.  After their 9-7 season the year prior , they ignored their needs in the 2012 draft and went with a best-player-available mindset as far as they were concerned.  I have to give the Titans front office credit on the draft pick as they saw a lot more potential and ability in Brown than the “experts” or pundits on TV.

The biggest knock on Brown coming out of college was that he was “soft”.  He didn’t aggressively play the run and shied away from contact.  Zach Brown set out to prove everyone wrong in his rookie campaign.  Brown ended the year with 92 tackles, 5.5 sacks, and 3 interceptions.  3.5 of those sacks coming in the last six games.

Browns speed coming into the NFL was never part of the question as he ran a 4.37 40 yard dash.  His growth through the year on following the ball, working laterally and committing to the hole are what made him so great.  He’s better able to utilize that speed and get to the point of attack without hesitation.  Let’s just hope this growth continues.

Congratulations Zach Brown! roved many a Titan fan and pundit wrong!

You can follow me on Twitter   @gunnelsj

Dec 30, 2012; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Titans outside linebacker Zach Brown (55) scores a touchdown on an interception against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the second half at LP Field. Titans won 38-20. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports

The Tennessee Titans spent their second round draft pick, from this past Aprils draft, on UNC OLB Zach Brown. The pick drew mixed reactions on draft day. The Titans did need a WSLB, and Brown fits the mold, especially with his 4.4 speed and ability to blitz and cover. However many felt the pick could have been spent on an offensive linemen, possibly Wisconsin C Peter Konz.

Coming out of college he was pinned with first round talent, because of his athleticism and especially his speed. But his football instincts and physicality were questioned, by some onlookers, and this caused him to slide into the early second round.

Brown started the season as mainly a special teams contributor, and got very little play on the defensive side of the ball. As the season progressed and starer Will Weatherspoon struggled, Brown began to get more playing time at the WSLB position. He quickly made his presence felt. As the season went on he progressed, and eventually earned the starting spot at WSLB, and he didn’t disappoint.

Brown made plays with his speed consistently. He used his speed on the edge, and flashed some pass rushing skills, finishing the season with 5.5 sacks. He also showed his ability in coverage game as well. He was able to run with tight ends and even some receivers, making multiple plays in pass coverage; including three interceptions, two of which went for touchdowns. He never seemed to show a lack of physicality, and even seemed to look for it.

Brown finished the season  with a combined 93 tackles, 5.5 sacks, 3 ints, and 1 forced fumble.

Brown consistently made himself noticeable in games, he did not hide or shy away from contact, and was an immediate play maker for a defense that desperately needed one. Look for Brown to be a play maker for the Titans now and in the future. Brown teamed with other young LB’s Akeem Ayers, and Colin McCarthy has the potential to be a special group.

GRADE: A

Tune in Tuesday for WR Kendall Wright’s review

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Sep 16, 2012; San Diego, CA, USA; Tennessee Titans linebacker Will Witherspoon (92) before the snap during the second quarter against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

The Tennessee Titans brought in OLB Will Witherspoon in 2010 during free agency. He’s had a good few years performing for the Titans. Nothing amazing, but he’s been decent. But that’s not enough for them to want to bring him back in 2013.

In the 2nd round of the 2012 NFL draft, the Tennessee Titans took OLB Zach Brown, to everyone’s surprise. Brown eventually took over Witherspoon’s spot at OLB during the 2012 season, and he looks to be a rising star, as do the rest of the Titans linebackers.

While Will Witherspoon provides some decent depth, the Titans could just as easily get someone younger via free agency (Witherspoon is currently 32) or even draft someone. Witherspoon could be re-signed, but his lack of impressive play and age aren’t doing him any favors.

It’s hard to say much more about it. I’ve always liked Witherspoon. He seems like a great guy and a great teammate, but his production just isn’t at a level that makes him indispensable. Here’s a looks at Witherspoon’s career stats, courtesy of NFL.com:

Witherspoon is a borderline case. He could very well be re-signed, but I don’t see it happening. But it’s the Titans. Attempting to read their minds is a futile act.

You can find me on Twitter @JustinLStewart