After staying pretty quiet in free agency over the past few weeks, the Titans have finally started to address the lack of bodies at the DE spot. To that end, they signed Leger Douzable, a 6'4", 284-pound defensive lineman who has played both DE and DT for the Giants, Rams and Jaguars, to a one year contract. Douzable was undrafted in 2008, but has slowly and steadily progressed from practice squad to active roster to starting rotation. That's the hallmark of a work ethic I love to see in a defensive-lineman.
Further evidence that the Titans are working to bolster the DE spot in advance of the draft: the team is working to re-sign DE Dave Ball. Ball nearly retired due to concussions in the middle of last season, but if he's healthy and onboard, I'd love to see a few more Ball sacks.
John Glennon says we should be keeping an eye on Pannel Egboh at the DE spot. Egboh spent last year on our practice squad, and he's got the size and athleticism that Jerry Gray loves along the defensive line. You what all of this sudden DE news says to me? We probably won't draft a DE in the first round. Of course nobody knows how the draft will shake out, and we need depth on the roster, but I just get the gut feeling they don't love the guys they expect to be there, and see more value in the secondary or O-line.
Dan Koppen is the latest veteran center to come in and interview for the chance to send Eugene Amano either back to the bench, or out on the street. Koppen has been a valuable member of the Patriots offensive line for a while; so much so that he was named to the Pats' All-Decade Team. He finished last season on the IR after breaking his ankle in the season opener, but if he's healthy, he's most likely a huge improvement over Amano.
The vote for the next Madden cover victim continues...