Mike Keith: Shaping The Roster

August 29, 2009

When we left Ohio three weeks ago---after the Hall of Fame game---we “thought” a lot of things. Here are three that stand out now…

1.    Rookie Ryan Mouton had a great shot at being the Titans’ #3 cornerback and kick and/or punt returner.

2.   Chris Davis was in good shape to start the season as the #3 wide receiver and the likely punt returner.

3.     There was a good shot that Kevin Mawae would not be ready for the season and would begin the campaign on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list.

None of those were locks, but that is how those three situations appeared. As we leave Ohio for the second time in this preseason, less than a week away from final cuts, there are changes…

1.       Mouton has a high ankle sprain and, while he will certainly make the team, may not be ready for the start of the season. 

2.       Chris Davis has already been cut.

3.       Mawae is back after getting a good report at the doctor. Even if not ready to be the starter right away, Mawae gives the Titans a strong backup on the inside, allowing flexibility if there was a center or guard injury.

Such is the nature of the roster shuffle beast. What you think that you know on August 10 is a moot point on August 30.

The Titans are basically done with their personnel evaluations. Now comes the task of shaping the roster. That’s where Tennessee still has questions, hard decisions and less time than 30 other teams.

Because the Titans open at Pittsburgh on Thursday, September 10, they must basically have their roster set by September 4---a day earlier than is required. While they technically have more time, they have to know who is on their roster as quickly as possible to plan for the Steelers.

So now the tug begins.

Let’s figure that the Titans will keep all three quarterbacks and a kicker, long snapper and punter. That leaves 47 roster spots.

The defensive line is a key spot to watch, as they have at least ten capable players. Usually, nine defensive linemen are on the Titans roster, but they may go ten due to the injury histories of this DL group and the fact all ten are really good players.

If that happens, the extra spot may come from the secondary, where they usually keep ten players. If the secondary only keeps nine (a real possibility), there is the extra spot for the tenth defensive lineman. But with Mouton dinged and questionable for the start of the season, do the Titans want to start the year with one less DB?

The offensive line normally keeps eight players. Mawae takes a spots from whichever player figured to be “the swing interior guy”. Rookie Troy Kropog looks like a keeper at tackle. And Mike Otto has made a huge move during his work as David Stewart’s replacement. People wondered a lot about Otto entering this camp, but those worries are gone.

So there are your eight offensive linemen. Probably no change there.

Tennessee is keeping four tight ends. The upside in that is Bo Scaife and Jared Cook can both do things to help out wide, relieving the need to keep seven wideouts.

But how many wide receivers do you keep?

Nate Washington, Justin Gage and Kenny Britt are givens. Three weeks ago, we thought that Chris Davis would be, as well. But now Davis is gone and a spot opens up for someone. But who is it? Does Mark Jones grab the spot because he is a returner? Is it Lavelle Hawkins? Dominique Edison? Paul Williams? Or do the Titans bring in someone who’s not here right now?

Will there be five running backs again?

Chris Johnson, LenDale White and Ahmard Hall are part of the equation. Javon Ringer looks like he is, too. After that, do the Titans keep Quinton Ganther? Chris Henry? Or neither one?

That wide receiver and running back answers may directly coincide with what Tennessee does at linebacker. The decision may be this…

Do the Titans keep a fifth running back or a sixth wide receiver or a seventh linebacker? Six linebackers seem likely to make the team, but can Tennessee justify a seventh?

Special teams will be a consideration. So will the long-term upside of the player. In the end, it might be as simple as Mike Reinfeldt and Jeff Fisher simply picking the best player, regardless of position.

This is a good problem to have. It’s the reason that Reinfeldt’s phone is ringing, as teams want to grab  solid players before Tennessee has to cut them and they become a free agents. It seems very possible that the Titans will pick up a late pick or two in a trade before week’s end. It also seems like that the Titans will make few moves to bring in guys from the outside before Pittsburgh. The Titans might want to upgrade at a spot or two, but for the most part, they are pleased with what they have.

While teams like Cleveland stress “position battles” down to the end of the preseason, the Titans are fortunate that their issues are basic “roster battles”.  They know who their starters are; they are just deciding which backups to keep.

While no one claims that shaping a roster is easy or fun, Tennessee’s current situation certainly beats the alternative.