Mocking the Draft has the media sessions schedule for numerous Coaches, GMs and prospects at the Combine. Stay tuned to MCM, because we should be bringing you audio from the sessions with Munchak and Webster, plus hopefully DeCastro and Konz.
Over the past six years the Titans have picked Vince Young over Jay Cutler and Ryan Mouton over D.J. Moore, despite the fact that most of their front office lives closer to Vanderbilt's stadium than LP Field. This year, there's another Commodore who looks like a natural fit that we shouldn't reach for, but shouldn't pass on if the pick makes sense: Casey Hayward. Jimmy made the comparison on MCM Radio, and I think there's some merit to looking at Hayward as a slightly shorter ATV. Hayward ended up with 7 picks last year, and totaled 13 total over the past two seasons. He's a guy who got better every year in college, is a natural ball hawk, never makes a dumb move in coverage and tackles well against the run. The only thing he can't do is run a 4.4, but I promise you he'll end up as one of the top 3 cornerbacks in this draft in three years. Best part is, there's a very good chance right now that he's available when our 3rd round pick comes up simply because he's not ultra fast or ultra tall. Basically, I think he'd be a great replacement for Cortland at the nickel spot, with the potential to be a front-line starter very soon.
PFF reveals their final overall rankings for offensive lines, and the Titans finish 6th overall, 17th in the run blocking, 1st in pass blocking and 1st in penalties. I'm a bit surpassed we did so well in the penalties section, and perhaps that's why Leroy Harris got a much worse rap than he deserved in that department. Overall, their rankings are still FAR too generous to our run blocking, but there are some good observations:
Not the most dominant of lines, Tennessee were exceptional when it came to protecting Matt Hasselbeck with the entire line finishing with positive grades for their pass blocking. The downside is only Michael Roos had a grade in the green (+1.0 or better) with his run blocking. You wonder if this line has what it takes to consistently open up holes, and you wonder how they'll fare pass blocking for a very different type of QB in Jake Locker.
Best Player: A hard one to chose from, but given how rarely David Stewart (+14.7) gives up any pressure-just 19 combined sacks, hits and hurries all year-he gets the nod.
Worst Player: Maybe Eugene Amano (-13.8) just isn't cut out to play center at this level?
John Glennon says don't sleep on the Titans' desire to add weapons to their offense through the draft. While a lot of the focus is being put on our issues at defensive end, linebacker and safety, you really can never have enough offense in this league. Webster and Reinfeldt would be wise to snag the right offensive player if they're clearly better than any of the defensive players left on the board, especially in the second round.
That article was likely an expansion on this one that you guys might have seen this a few days ago, but I think I missed it: John Glennon, with comments from Todd McShay, takes a look at some WR prospects who could go in the fist few rounds; included are Michael Floyd, Alshon Jeffers, Reuben Randle, Mohamed Sinu and Kendall Wright.
If the Titans don't go WR early in the draft, Stevie Johnson could be a realistic option in FA now that the Bills won't use the franchise tag on him.
Paul K takes a look at some prospects who are at the combine in Indy that should be garnering a lot of attention from the teams in the AFC South. There are also some new notes on the front office changes that happened in Nashville, Indy and Jacksonville.
SI.com's Tony Pauline previews the Scouting Combine, including potential Titans targets David DeCastro, Courtney Upshaw and others.
Former agent Jack Bechta writes about what all goes on at the combine that isn't timed, weighed or filmed.
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