State of the Tennessee Titans Roster: Offensive Line

by Jimmy on Jun 10, 2009 1:12 PM CDT Comment 5 comments

The offensive line was the strength of the 2008 team and should be again in 2009. It all starts with the bookends at tackle with Michael Roos and David Stewart. Roos finally got the credit he deserves last season with a Pro Bowl bid, and Stewart is one of the nastiest players in the league. Don't be surprised to see him in ~~Hawaii~~ Miami next season.

Both guards were new last season with Jake Scott coming in via free agency and Eugene Amano getting his first shot to be a starter. Both guys played pretty well last season and should continue to improve with more time in the system.

Kevin Mawae still anchors the middle of the O line, but his health has been declining over the past couple of seasons. Leroy Harris proved last season that he can hold his own if Mawae goes down. There was even talk that Harris is physically a better player than Mawae. If the Titans have faith that Mawae is ready to go this season, you could see Harris push Amano for the starting guard spot when camp comes around.

There really isn't any experienced depth behind Harris on the roster, but that is nothing to worry about with Mike Munchak coaching these guys up. There is a good chance that there is another Pro Bowl lineman among the Troy Kropog/Ryan Durant/Fernando Velascos of the world.

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I am,

sold on everybody but Mawae. I got so sick of seeing him get demolished by the big nose tackles the last two years… Look at the Ravens regular season game, where, we did NOT run well at all in the game and squeaked out with a win, and then the playoff game, where he did NOT start that game, Harris did, and Harris did awesome run blocking Ngata, just mediocre at the Pass blocking. Harris needs to take Mawae’s job, and improve on his communication skills with his guards and tackles. Agree/Disagree?

by RhiNo6705 on Jun 10, 2009 1:21 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Sort of agree...

Mawae’s time in limited, but I think Harris could use another year learning from a guy as good and experienced as Mawae. I do agree that against a big NT his effectiveness is really marginalized.

T-Rac's Posse - Just do it. T-Rac wants you to.

by T--Rac's Posse on Jun 10, 2009 1:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed.

I would actually like to see the Titans sign a natural, veteran C in next year’s offseason to fill Mawae’s shoes. Harris has too much of a penchant for bad snaps, and is better suited at G.

If not a veteran C via Free Agency, then a natural C early in the draft. It is much harder to move people to Center than from Center, and the potential for errors is much higher.

If Harris IS the Center of the future, as you said, he is going to have to put to bed a lot of communication errros, bad snaps, and missed snap counts.

I like Harris, but would really prefer a more natural Center at Center (and preferrably, a more seasoned veteran). Harris is a fine run blocker at Guard.

"Bite my shiny metal ass!" -- Bender Bending Rodriguez

"Life is just one crushing defeat after another until you just wish Flanders was dead."

by The Jade Scorpion on Jun 10, 2009 2:46 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's a legitimate issue, but I think it is also the kind of thing that solves itself.

Mawae is a vet, and he brings a lot to the Offense, but I think he’s likely to start wearing down earlier and earlier in the year going forward. Last year we saw it a little, and though I like Mawae, I think we’re likely to see it again this year.

It’s true that he doesn’t seem to run-block as well as Harris, but he adjusts protections for pass-blocking much more effectively, and that counts for quite a bit. At this point, I’d call it a push either way. That said, it would be IDIOTIC of the Titans to let Harris go for any reason.

DannoE

"You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one."

by DannoE on Jun 10, 2009 2:15 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs