Jake Locker finds himself on the hot seat in Tennessee entering the final year of his rookie contract, with the team declining to exercise his fifth-year option as a former first-round pick. Paul Kuharsky of ESPN.com points out four ways Locker can turn around his career. While he highlights external factors, such as health, coaching, and having a strong running game and defense, he acknowledges that it might not be enough if Locker does not progress.
Here are some other links from around Titans camp:
- The Titans are working to improve Locker’s ability as a pocket passer, writes David Climer of the Tennessean. New head coach Ken Whisenhunt has made it a point to fit Locker into his system, not the other way around.
- Running back Jackie Battle is proving to be a versatile weapon, taking snaps at fullback this offseason, reports Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean. “I just pick a hole and hit the first body that’s in there,’‘ said Battle. “There will a lot more contact, more collisions, but that’s the kind of back I am. I have been a physical back throughout my career.”
- Versatile tight end Delanie Walker believes he can be one of the most productive at the position in 2014, writes Joe Fann of TitansOnline.com. “I’ve got to get better,” said Walker. “I’m looking to catch 80 balls this year.” Only two active tight ends caught that many passes last season, and one of them would argue he is a wide receiver.
- While Antonio Andrews, Tyler Wilson, Collin Mooney, Tommie Campbell, and Colin McCarthy may not make the 53-man roster, Chad Minton of Bleacher Report believes all five will have a great shot to make the practice squad this August.
- The team did not have any players on ESPN’s top ten overpaid or underpaid NFL players, but Kuharsky highlights some of the roster’s most inflated contracts. He also points out that Jurrell Casey and Kendall Wright could have been in the mix for the underpaid list.
- Even though the Titans are noticeably absent or poorly ranked on most team and individual lists compiled this offseason, Kuharsky has compiled a few lists in which notable players do appear, and writes that they may have players that are not too far away.