The Tennessee Titans have conducted six OTA practices. Friday's session was the second practice observed by the media. The Titans are on a mini-break and will return for their seventh voluntary get-together on June 8.
Various assistant coaches and players spoke at the podium following Friday's practice. Players who spoke included Tony Pollard and Kevin Winston Jr. The most surprising player session was with new veteran center Austin Schlottmann.
Near the start of OTAs, we speculated how Peter Skoronski's answer about position competitions on the offensive line strongly indicated Schlottmann is the starting center. The fact that Schlottmann spoke at the podium only strengthens that belief. He's clearly a player that is already impressing the Titans at OTAs.
Austin Schlottmann establishing himself as Titans' unquestioned starter at OTAs
The Titans signed Schlottmann to a two-year contract worth $7 million. It's by far the most lucrative contract the 2018 undrafted free agent has ever signed in the NFL. It represented a strong vote of confidence in his abilities.
Schlottmann doesn't appear to possess any real offseason competition at center. Initially, it was believed Jackson Slater's primary focus would be at center. Instead, Slater is the early in-house favorite to claim the starting right guard spot.
That leaves sixth-round rookie Pat Coogan as the lone center behind Schlottmann on the depth chart. It's unrealistic to expect Coogan to legitimately push Schlottmann for the Week 1 starting gig. Instead, the Day Three rookie will focus on growing, developing, and acclimating.
Schlottmann started four games for the New York Giants last year. New Titans offensive coordinator Brian Daboll and offensive line coach Carmen Bricillo coached him last season. Daboll and Bricillo undeniably played major roles in Mike Borgonzi's decision to target Schlottmann in free agency.
The Titans went an unconventional route at center this offseason after releasing Lloyd Cushenberry. It's difficult, maybe impossible, to assess offensive line play at OTAs. Regardless, everything coming out of Nashville strongly hints the organization is pleased with Schlottmann as their starting center.
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