[ PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL ]
Titans hope rookies
can fill D-line holes
NASHVILLE, Tenn. » Travis LaBoy settled into Jevon Kearse's old locker yesterday afternoon to slip his shoes off. Tackle Randy Starks, who wanted No. 90 from the moment he was drafted, looked very comfortable in The Freak's old jersey.
If the Titans needed any reminder that times have changed on the defensive line because of free agency, they only needed to glance around during their rookie orientation yesterday.
Kearse is in Philadelphia and tackle Robaire Smith is in Houston, both enjoying big contracts the Titans wouldn't give them. The Titans moved forward by re-assigning their spots in the locker room and putting new names on their jerseys.
Now they hope they fill the empty spots on the field just as quickly.
Defensive line coach Jim Washburn spent most of a 90-minute session with eight rookies, including five selected through the draft and three signed as free agents.
"He's not slept since the draft," Titans coach Jeff Fisher joked of Washburn. "He's very, very excited. He's got a good group to work with."
The Titans used four of their first six draft picks on the defensive line last weekend, grabbing LaBoy, an end from Hawaii, and Alabama end Antwan Odom in the second round, Starks of Maryland in the third, and end Bo Schobel of TCU in the fourth. They also picked up tackle Jared Clauss of Iowa in the seventh round.
"When you get a group of that size, all of whom think they have a chance to make this team, they're going to work hard," Fisher said. "We drafted guys because we have spots, and they all kind of see an opportunity."
Asked about the pressure of taking Kearse's locker, LaBoy laughed.
"There's pressure yeah. I put so much pressure on myself it's nothing new. I want to come out and do my best and contribute as soon as I can," he said. "Hopefully, I can do that."