2010 Tennessee Titans Training Camp Battles: Linebacker

by Jimmy on Jun 11, 2010 9:09 AM CDT in Comcast Sponsored Posts

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How weird is it going to be to see a Titans team take the field without Keith Bulluck on the roster? He has been a mainstay on the defense for nearly a decade, but most of us have come to grips with the fact that his time with the Titans is over. That means someone has to attempt to fill his shoes.

I think we can safely say that Stephen Tulloch will be the middle linebacker. He has shown improvement each year he has been here, and even though he has been away for all of the OTAs to this point, it is his job.

Gerald McRath played well last season when filling in for Bulluck and David Thornton, and one of the outside spots is his to lose.

That brings us to the Thornton issue. He is still on the roster but hasn't been able to stay healthy for very much of the past two seasons. He is a really good player when healthy, but seeing that he still hasn't participated in any OTAs, I think it is highly unlikely that he will be healthy again. I bet he retires sometime between now and when the season starts.

That leaves one outside spot to be occupied by Will Witherspoon, Rennie Curran, Jamie Winborn or Stanford Keglar. My guess is that they are hoping Witherspoon wins the job in camp, but it is far from decided. Keep an eye on Curran. The kid was a playmaker in college. A lot of people have written him off because of his height, but if you can play you can play. He can play. Of course he does run into that pesky problem that we talked about earlier in the week with ATV- He is a rookie so Jeff Fisher hates him.

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I am still...

Holding out hope that KB will be back and retire a Titan.

by Bob T on Jun 11, 2010 9:13 AM CDT reply actions

Until KB is officially in another jersey...

I am still holding out hope as well. Hell even after he is in another jersey I will probably still hope he comes back where he belongs somehow.

He is definitely one of those players that if he does go somewhere else I will still be cheering for him… unless he is playing the Titans.

by WV Titan on Jun 11, 2010 9:51 AM CDT reply actions

With all due respect, you're nuts

1. Witherspoon starts if healthy. There is no question about this.
2. There are $4 million reasons Thornton isn’t going to retire before training camp. If the Titans are fine with his salary and shoulder, he’ll start. Otherwise, he gets cut and McRath starts. My money is heavily on option B, but it’s not guaranteed.

by NewsToTom on Jun 11, 2010 11:29 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs

Appreciate that

What has Witherspoon done to guarantee him a starting spot? You are probably right, but I am not sure how it is just cut and dried.

Titans Blogger at Music City Miracles even though gramsey hates it.

"What if I was Peyton Manning?"- CJ to the ref after they picked up a personal foul flag for a late hit on him.

by Jimmy on Jun 11, 2010 12:09 PM CDT up reply actions

I concur with NewsToTom.

Jeff Fisher loves veterans. He even likes other peoples’ veterans.

DannoE

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

Storyteller's Playbook
Charter Member of the Music City Miracles Hall Of Fame

by DannoE on Jun 11, 2010 1:08 PM CDT up reply actions

$5 million reasons, for one

Three year contract, $11 million. I’m not saying he’ll start or be on the team for the third year, or even necessarily the second, but they didn’t pay him the guaranteed dough to sit on the bench. In addition to the contract, he’s established himself as a very good starter at weakside linebacker. Philly cut him, sure, but (a) 3yr/$11 million is a different deal than 1yr/$5 million, and (b) he’s a much better fit for TEN.

by NewsToTom on Jun 11, 2010 2:07 PM CDT up reply actions

Why so high on McRath

I still don’t get why everyone is so high on McRath…can someone please tell me what he did so great last year to warrant such high regard on this site? I am not saying he will not be a good player and that he is not, but I just don’t know why the lovefest!

Witherspoon is starting…that’s why they signed him. Not to come off the bench.

Rennie Curran could very well turn out to be a beast and I really hope he gets to see the field.

by dragak1981 on Jun 11, 2010 12:28 PM CDT reply actions

Definitly Tully, Witherspoon & McRath

I cant see Thornton being on the roster after camp.
Curran will be a beast eventually. But prolly not this yr.

No matter what, it will SUCK to not have KB53 on the field

by oHIo1 on Jun 11, 2010 2:30 PM CDT reply actions

Let's all observe a moment of silence for #53......

NOW….put that rookie in there and let’s kick some a$$!!!!

by titansfan4ever on Jun 12, 2010 4:11 PM CDT reply actions

No Way Witherspoon doesn't start

Witherspoon starts, he’s a proven veteran who produces consistently, the best active LB the eagles had last year who could play Middle or outside. Its gonna blow to not have Bullock on there, hopefully they meet some type of agreement when he’s fully healthy before Detroit or someone else signs em…

by TitanBully05 on Jun 12, 2010 5:19 PM CDT reply actions