Mike Reinfledt makes it sound like the Titans are going to be very active in free agency... whenever that starts. I think we all expected the team to be active in free agency, especially with all of the old contracts that are coming off the books: as currently constructed (especially once VY's contract is gone), the Titans are one of the lowest-payroll teams in the NFL. So no matter what the next salary cap is, we should be in a position to make a splash. What amkes makes the most sense to my mind are a few high-impact signings, rather than a bunch of small moves just to bolster depth. With these new draft picks in the mix it feels like the bottom end of our roster is stronger than most teams. It's the top end that needs to improve, especially on defense. At 6'3", 205 lbs with insane athleticism, could underdog corner Tommie Campbell end up being the steal of the draft? Campbell isn't just a set of pretty work-out numbers. He was a top prospect at Pitt before a series of terrible decisions regarding his school work lead to two ugly dismissals. Despite those character flags that cost him dearly on draft day, Campbell could end up being the most mature and motivated rookie out of this class. Bye bye, Tully. I love a lot of things about the guy's game, but he just can't make big plays. I'm ready to see the LB unit move forward with Spoon in the middle and Ayers opposite McRath/a free agent.
Sure 'Karl Klug' sounds like the name of a guard from Hogan's Heroes. but Klug could end up being a hell of a pick. If he hits we could field the most flexible 4-3 defense in the league: Jason Jones, Ayers, Morgan and a few others could all be used in different ways to push the pocket from the edge and give the offensive line several different looks pre-snap. Jurrell Casey knows a little something about football factories: before heading to USC, Casey went to high school at Long Beach Poly, which has put more players in to the NFL than any other high school in the country. Other notable Poly alums include Marcedes Lewis, Winston Justice and DeSean Jackson. Oh, Cleveland:
When Cal defensive end Cameron Jordan was taking a tour through his new business home -- the New Orleans Saints practice facility in Metairie, La. --on Saturday, his cell phone rang.
"Hi,'' said the voice on the other end. "Jordan? This is the Cleveland Browns ... '' The call was for some biographical information. The Browns were making their fourth-round choice on Day 3 of the draft.
"Uh, yeah, this is Cameron Jordan,'' he said. "But the Saints already picked me.''
There was an awkward pause, and Cameron Jordan said: "I think you mean Jordan Cameron, you're looking for Jordan Cameron. That's not me.''
One 'Skins fan asks, Albert Haynesworth for Vince Young straight-up? Pass. And finally, a few quick thoughtson this draft class from yours truly:
• The Ayers pick really stuck out to me, and not just because it was a brilliantly lucky break: I think the NFL has finally gotten to the point where the total number of 3-4 defenses is making it easier for 4-3 teams to get the guys they want. For years you had good 3-4 specific DL/LBS go lower than their talent shows because there just weren't a lot of teams who needed them. Now, you're almost starting to see that break the other way, and we benefited from that all through the draft.
• When was the last time we had a Titans draft where every single player either started out or ended up at a BCS school? Not that it's necessarily good or bad, it's just weird to not see those small school picks that Reese, Fisher and Washburn loved so much.
• It's worth noting that my boy Wes Bunting had Jamie Harper as the 5th overall RB on his draft board.
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