2010 Tennessee Titans Training Camp Battles: Cornerback

by Jimmy on Jun 9, 2010 9:12 AM CDT in Comcast Sponsored Posts

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This could be one of the most interesting training camps the Titans have had in the past few years. There will be quite a few position battles going on in camp for the first time in a while. Over the next few weeks I will be using the Comcast space to highlight those position battles. So please read and comment even though there is all of the Comcast jargon at the top.

Cornerback was one of the hottest topics of discussion here last season. Cortland Finnegan was really good on one side, but the other side was a gaping hole the pretty much every quarterback the Titans faces during the season took advantage of. We know that Nick Harper will no longer be using his good tackling skills to bring down receivers after they make a catch, but we don't know who will be starting there when the season opens.

So far in the OTAs the position has been occupied by second year corner Jason McCourty. McCourty didn't show us a whole lot to be excited about last season, but he was a rookie. Hopefully he can make that oft' talked about big jump from year one to year two.

Ryan Mouton will also get a look. He played better than people realize at corner last year, and there is no doubt he has the physical skills to play the position well. He will also be looking for that big jump.

Rod Hood had some interceptions last season, but it didn't take long to find out why he was on the street half way through the season. He will get a shot in camp as well, but I wouldn't be surprised if he isn't on the roster when the season starts.

Tye Hill could also make a push, but I don't see him being much of a factor at the end of the day.

Lastly you have friend to MCM Alterraun Verner. ATV put up impressive numbers in college and is a very bright dude, so he shouldn't be behind because he can't get the system. I expect him to make a push in camp, but we all know there is no way he will start in week 1 because Jeff Fisher hates rookies.

Again, this will be an interesting battle to watch. It appears that McCourty is the leader in the club house, but there is still a lot of time before the ball is teed up against the Raiders.

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After Camp

I’d like to see them cut Hood & Hill. Odds are one or both will still be around if someone gets hurt.
Let the young guys play. Hopefully they make that jump & one of them can play at this level.

by oHIo1 on Jun 9, 2010 9:54 AM CDT reply actions

Releasing all of the veteran depth at CB was a dumb move last year, and one I'd not like to see repeated.

I personally would very much like to keep Rod Hood because even if he’s not a particularly good CB, he is at least experienced and serviceable. You can put him out there and not have a trainwreck. For Mouton and McCourty, that may or may not be true, and for Verner, well, it’s generally not a good idea to just throw a guy to the wolves.

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 9, 2010 10:14 AM CDT up reply actions

Tye Hill

is only going into his 5th season, so I wouldn’t necessarily lump him with the “old guys”. Heck, maybe he’s a late bloomer and really comes into his own this season…I doubt it, but it’s good to hope.

by groovymountain on Jun 9, 2010 11:34 AM CDT up reply actions

The titans cornerbacks

other than Cortland finnegan are basically going to be a weak point all season unless someone really steps up this year and plays way above what they have. Hood is ok, but he can be taken advantage of easily…but he did do better than mouton or mcCourty last year, so to think one of these two will step in and really step up their game is asking for a lot i think. I don’t know anything about Tye Hill, but he is a vet and former first round pick and needs to get a chance. From what I read, injuries have been a problem for him. I just don’t trust McCourty and definitely not Mouton (I still cant stand him from the Jets Game). Everyone needs to be on the same page as training camp opens.

Plus finnegan is a little undersized, and he was exposed against tall receivers like Andre Johnson or the entire chargers receiving corp. But he is a very very good corner.

by dragak1981 on Jun 9, 2010 2:40 PM CDT reply actions

I Think McCourty's The Guy

Strange, but even though Mouton went in round 3 and McCourty in round 6, according to the draft experts McCourty’s skills are better suited to be a #2 CB – a starter but not the primary guy – and Mouton is better as the #3 CB covering the slot. If that’s the case, then McCourty was a steal. That McCourty is the tallest and heaviest CB is a mark in his favor also.

Verner according to the draftniks is a better zone defender than a man to man guy. So, he is a guy who likely will be molded to replace nickelback Vincent Fuller down the line, as Fuller’s contract runs out after next season when he will be 30. Rod Hood and Tye Hill are veteran insurance policies, and are also going to be good depth against teams like Indy and Houston who like to go with 3 and 4 WRs (plus have TEs and RBs who make plays in the passing game downfield like WRs). Hill is also just an attempt to get faster and more athletic body on a defense that lacked both last season.

I don’t see why the Titans should let either Hood or Hill go. Mouton, McCourty and Verner are young and unproven, and the situation at safety isn’t great either. I say keep both guys for at least a year and trim some depth from someplace else. Might be finally time to send Donnie Nickey (1 pass defended in his 7 years in the NFL, and that was way back in 2004!) packing, for instance.

by Lurking on Jun 9, 2010 11:52 PM CDT reply actions

Nick HARPER (HASBEN) was NO VETERAN DEPTH

I only label NFL players as veterans for becoming pro bowlers and being an “ESTABLISHED Starter” for good amount of years (5-9). I don’t recall how Great he was For the Colts. But he didn’t give us Titans any Veteran Status. Maybe Jake Scott has played like a veteran. But I think Harper’s was either paid by Manning or another alumni Colt to make us lose games. I am :) he was released.

I am Rooting for this depth Chart: Finne on the Left, McCourty on the Right, ATV in Slot, Fuller in dime, & have Hood (since he is still injury-prone), Hill, Johnson, & Mouton battle for the depth slots.

But I’m sure as always, Fisher will disappoint me and give Mouton all the credit in the world to make us suffer a bit this year.

by titanwarrior1 on Jun 10, 2010 12:18 PM CDT up reply actions