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HOT TOPIC
When adding to their defensive backfield, the Titans have increasingly looked to players who have both safety and cornerback skills.
Vincent Fuller, a safety who missed all but two games of his rookie season because of a broken right leg, is expected to be the team's nickelback, a vital role in Tennessee's defense.
Fuller qualifies as the new brand of hybrid, a safety with enough size to dish out big hits who moves well enough to work as a corner, staying with a receiver on a route.
"Sometime you are a true corner and sometimes you really are a true safety," said Chuck Cecil, a one time NFL safety who was on the cover of Sports Illustrated and now coaches the Titans safeties. "That position as much as anything has definitely got to be a tweener guy who feels comfortable doing both assignments.
"Vinny is perfect. You've got a guy that really has the foot skills. In the crunch, you wouldn't feel unsettled moving him out to corner. And obviously he can play safety. Saying all that. He hasn't been battle tested. The proof is in the putting."
Tennessee has gone in a similar direction with recent additions, looking to fill its defensive backfield with versatile, moveable parts.
Fourth-round pick Calvin Lowry is a safety with some corner skills. Seventh-round pick Cortland Finnegan is a cornerback who's played safety. And second-year man Antoine Harris can also flip between the roles.
While the rookies are concentrating on their primary position, Finnegan's already gotten some work as an inside cornerback. Fuller has been working with the first team as the nickel corner, then taking reps as a safety with second or third stringers.
Added as a free agent after playing as part of the Super Bowl champion Steelers, safety Chris Hope said a five-defensive back package including him, Thompson and Fuller will be a winner.
All three are at least 5-foot-11 and at least 206 pounds. The Titans don't give up coverage skills or size, he said.
"It's always an advantage when you have bigger bodies that can run and cover," Hope said. "When you have an ability to bring in safeties that can run and cover and work in space against slot receivers, you don't have to put in the cornerback or nickelback in who specializes in coverage so it takes away from the run defense."
PLAYER NOTES
--There is plenty of time before Jeff Fisher has to decide on his returners.
But as the team wrapped up its final offseason practice June 22, Coach Jeff Fisher said the current scenario would have Pacman Jones returning kickoffs and Bobby Wade returning punts.
Jones can be an energizer as a return man. But Fisher does not want to overextend the Titans' top cornerback.
Wade had some memorable struggles as a return man in Chicago, but a good share of his problems were weather-related and odds are he won't face 45 mph winds in Nashville.
"There were some tough times," admitted Wade, who's become popular with his coaches, teammates and the media since joining Tennessee late last season. "My confidence isn't shaken at all, if anything it's a lot better.
"To have somebody back there who really wants to do it as opposed to a guy who has to do it is a big difference. Ups or downs, I want to be back there."
Jones said he'll happily take whatever assignment Fisher gives him.
But both Jones and Wade said given their choice they'd take the punt return job.
"It's easier to score touchdowns." Jones said with a grin, explaining his preference.
--Back in 1998 and 1999, Tennessee offensive coordinator Les Steckel used to have his quarterbacks on a timer. He expected them they to have the ball out of their hand by the time it went off.
A similar buzzer was part of the Titans last round of offseason practices.
"At three and a half second it's going to go off and we want to get the ball out of there," Fisher said. "It's just a reminder, one of those things that you can mess with during the offseason."
Fisher said all practice periods won't include the buzzer, but that it is likely to be a regular feature in seven-on-seven passing drills that include no linemen.
"We had that in college as well," Vince Young said. "It's just a little bit quicker here."
STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
The Titans still may do some roster tinkering, but it appears likely that if they use some of the extra salary cap room on a veteran or two it won't be before training camp.
If the right veteran comes free during the preseason, however, they could jump.
While they like Matt Mauck, they could decide they want an extra veteran quarterback so that if Billy Volek gets hurt they aren't tempted to turn too soon to Vince Young.
They are also very thin at quarterback, and while they judged Ty Law to be a less than perfect fit, especially at his price, they'll be at the head of the line if any quality corners come free.
FRANCHISE PLAYER: None.
TRANSITION PLAYER: None.
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS
--CB Tony Beckham (not tendered June 1).
--LS Jon Dorenbos (not tendered as RFA).
RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: None.
EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FREE AGENTS
--QB Matt Mauck: Expected to be the third quarterback if the Titans draft the QB of the future and either let Steve McNair go or Billy Volek is traded.
--RB Jarrett Payton is making progress, but isn't going to be more than a role player.
PLAYERS RE-SIGNED
--DE Kyle Vanden Bosch: Potential UFA; $22M/4 yrs, $14.5M guaranteed/$4.75M SB).
--S Donnie Nickey: RFA; $721,600/ 1 yr.
--LB Marcus Randall: ERFA; terms unknown.
--LB Cody Spencer: ERFA; terms unknown.
PLAYERS ACQUIRED
--WR David Givens: UFA Patriots; $24M/5 yrs, $6M SB/$2M RB '07; 2006 cap: $2M.
--S Chris Hope: UFA Steelers; $32M/6 yrs, $5M SB.
--C Kevin Mawae: FA Jets; terms unknown.
--LB David Thornton: UFA Colts; $22M/5 yrs, $8.5M SB.
PLAYERS LOST
--LB Rocky Boiman: UFA Cowboys; $3.5M/3 yrs, $1M SB.
--C Justin Hartwig: UFA Panthers; $17M/5 yrs, $7M SB.
--OT Brad Hopkins (released).
--LB Brad Kassell: UFA Jets; terms unknown.
--QB Steve McNair: Traded Ravens.
--S Tank Williams: UFA Vikings; $900,000/1 yr.
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