Being careful not to tip their hand, the Tennessee Titans held their annual pre-draft press conference with general manager Floyd Reese and the scouting department Wednesday.
And, just as expected, there are plenty of players who appeal to the Titans not only at the 14th pick, but in other slots as well.
Like the rest of the NFL, the Titans are enamored with the defensive tackle crop of John Henderson, Albert Haynesworth, Ryan Sims and Wendell Bennett.
They would love to see Oklahoma safety Roy Williams fall into their lap, and they would be faced with quite the dilemma if a potential offensive star like receiver Donte Stallworth or running back William Green were on the board at No. 14, despite those not being real need areas.
Or perhaps they are intrigued by a hybrid guy like South Carolina’s Kalimba Edwards, who could play strongside linebacker on run downs and put in some time at defensive end in nickel situations. Or do they trade down with some eager team, add another pick and grab one of the top offensive linemen.
Whatever happens on Saturday, the Titans have some idea, but they too will have to wait and see.
“The problem is there are so many other things that can go on,” Reese said. “The players that are there, the options that you have, like can you trade down or not and what do you need. I think you have to kind of sit back and look at it.”
Reese said this year’s draft is somewhat different than in years past because after the first two picks – David Carr and Julius Peppers – it is a crapshoot as to which team will take which player.
“The top five or six are uncertain,” Reese said. “In most years past, you could say we know about the top five, six or seven.”
Comella, DiNapoli agree
The Titans agreed to terms Thursday on a six-year deal with fullback Greg Comella, formerly of the New York Giants, and re-signed offensive lineman Gennaro DiNapoli to a two-year deal.
Comella said he was excited about joining the Titans.
“What was important to me when I first started this whole process was surrounding myself with good people and the Titans are a first-class organization from the top right on down to the bottom,” Comella said.
DiNapoli, who split time mostly as a backup at center and guard, should again provide depth on the offensive line.
Schulters brings attitude
Free-agent catch Lance Schulters, who signed a six-year, $20 million deal with the Titans last week, hopes to help the Tennessee secondary regain some of the mental toughness lost in last year’s fall from grace.
Schulters, who will start at free safety, was in a similar circumstance in San Francisco, being part of a struggling secondary early on, but one that turned around last season.
“I’ve been a part of some teams that have struggled,” Schulters said. “The [49ers] secondary was the worst in the league at one time. I’ve been there. I’ve been at the bottom. I’ve been where they were last year when they had injuries. I can bring the attitude of ‘I’ve been there and there’s no place to go but up.’”