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NFL Network reporter Albert Breer stopped by camp this week as part of a nationwide tour, and he tweeted out his list of five most noticeable things that he saw from camp. These were my immediate reactions.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>1) Was told big reason Titans didn't pick up Locker's option was the injury risk. That's where the guarantee is. Last two years scared 'em.</p>— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) <a href="https://twitter.com/AlbertBreer/statuses/494617123189428225">July 30, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>2) That said, Locker has made progress. Also, per the club's request, he lost five pounds. Told me it was to take pressure off his foot.</p>— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) <a href="https://twitter.com/AlbertBreer/statuses/494617465922809857">July 30, 2014</a></blockquote>
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My take: This is an interesting situation because Ken Whisenhunt really has a way of making quarterbacks look better when people think they have nothing left in the tank. He did it with Kurt Warner in Arizona and he did it with Phillip Rivers in San Diego, can he do it with Jake Locker who showed a lot of promise last year? Either way, it looks like he is committed to giving Locker every chance he can, without over-committing to him.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>3) Kendall Wright keeps turning heads. And one darkhorse to watch on O is Taylor Thompson, a converted DE playing TE.</p>— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) <a href="https://twitter.com/AlbertBreer/statuses/494618053532200961">July 30, 2014</a></blockquote>
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My take: Not mentioning Hunter was strange here, but even stranger was Taylor Thompson. We have been teased with the potential of Taylor Thompson before, and really for the last seven years Tennessee was supposed to have the "next" athletic tight end. However, the big difference is that Thompson is a great impact blocker, and his ability to grow as a tight end seems real, it all just depends on how the Titans want to use him (cough moving fullback cough).
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>4) Big difference Whisenhunt has made: Attention to detail. Apparent at practice. He moves from position to position, drilling small stuff.</p>— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) <a href="https://twitter.com/AlbertBreer/statuses/494618376908865536">July 30, 2014</a></blockquote>
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My take: This is something that Mike Munchak really could never have done. Outside of offensive line he was really out of his depth, and that is understandable considering his background. I saw Whisenhunt doing this when I went to camp on Friday, most notably with the tight ends. If he can get the Titans to do the little things right, maybe they won't lose the close games like they have in recent history. If you convert the games that the Titans lost by three points or less, or those that went to overtime, and turn them into wins the Titans would have been 11-5. Now I'm not saying they should have been an 11-5 team, but they were very close to a good season.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>5) Getting Horton as DC was a coup for Titans. Three names to watch as fits for his scheme: Jurrell Casey, Kamerion Wimbley, Derrick Morgan.</p>— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) <a href="https://twitter.com/AlbertBreer/statuses/494618646459981824">July 30, 2014</a></blockquote>
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My take: Really the best move of the offseason was adding Ray Horton. Whisenhunt is a talented offensive mind, but Horton is one of the most respected defensive coordinators in the coaching community. Also, judging from practice notes, it isn't hard to see why Breer included Morgan on this list. I thought Morgan was a bad fit as a stand-up rusher, but he has shown some serious flashes. Maybe the Titans have more talent at DE/OLB than fans previously thought.