3 Biggest Storylines From Tennessee Titans OTAs
NASHVILLE — The Tennessee Titans enter the 2023 summer workout season with a lot of uncertainty as a team. Coming off an offseason of top-to-bottom change and expectations that are all over the map, a good start to organized team activities(OTAs) is what they need. With the Titans two practices in to OTAs, let's look at the three biggest storylines that emerged.
Veteran Absences
Greg Arias covered all of the absences here, but some absences are more newsworthy than others. While some absences are due to recovery from injuries, some players voluntarily choose to not participate. Those names include two key members of the secondary in Kevin Byard and Kristian Fulton. However, their absences aren't equal.
As I wrote yesterday here, Kevin Byard's absence is not something we should be concerned about at this time. Byard is a true professional that does not miss games and has the trust of the organization. You can see that in the comments from those involved. While it may create a small leadership void, as Jeffery Simmons said, it isn't like Byard is entirely absence from all duties.
On the other hand you have Kristian Fulton. Fulton has missed 20 out of a possible 50 games in his career and was called out by Mike Vrabel, along with new Dolphin David Long, at the end of last season for how he handled soft tissue issues. Long didn't appear to take Vrabel's comments kindly and you could imagine Fulton hasn't either.
With Fulton heading into the final year of his contract and apparently being in Vrabel's doghouse, this situation is one to watch.
Veterans in Attendance
While the biggest story was those who were not in attendance, a story that deserves mentioning is who was at Titans' OTAs. It must be mentioned that OTAs are voluntary. Now, there is the unwritten rule that coaches want players there. Especially, Mike Vrabel. The Titans aren't a team that encourages players to work out on their own.
The first name we have to mention is Derrick Henry. Henry skipped OTAs in 2022 and even skipped mandatory mini-camp in 2021. He is no guarantee to be at voluntary events. Whether it be being in the final year of his deal or the new offense or the offseason trade rumors, Henry is in attendance from the jump this year and looking to set the tone.
Jeffery Simmons is also present at Titans' OTAs. Just about a month after getting a huge extension, Simmons is paying the Titans back by being in attendance from the start and displaying leadership not only for the defense, but the whole team. If the $100 million man is out there busting his butt, everyone else better be too.
Finally, we have Ryan Tannehill. Tannehill is also in his last year of a contract with the Titans and there were plenty of rumors about him being released or traded this offseason. The Titans have spent a third-rounder or better in back to back drafts on Tannehill's potential replacement. Despite all of that, Tannehill is present and leading and helping the young players learn a brand new offense.
Position Change
Last week I looked at some positions on the Titans I called "Hidden Disasters" which was a look at positions the Titans are really thin at that most people don't talk about. Safety was one of those positions, but the Titans may be getting creative to fix it.
We know the Titans have one of the best safety duos in the NFL when Amani Hooker and Kevin Byard are both healthy, but behind those two it gets shaky. Shyheim Carter, Mike Brown, Josh Thompson and some undrafted rookies. The Titans would be in a very bad spot if any of these guys had to play legitimate snaps on defense.
Enter Elijah Molden. Molden was considered a versatile guy when he came out of Washington as a college prospect. Molden spent most of his rookie year as a nickelback(not the band) in the slot on defense, but Molden also did some deep drops into coverage that you would see from a safety. Clearly, he has some of the skillset needed.
According to Molden and Vrabel, Molden has been in the midst of a position transition to safety. He spent the entire practice at safety on Tuesday. If Molden could be that third safety for the Titans and play in their dime defense(6 defensive backs on the field) it would give him much more value to the team.
