PALM BEACH, Fla. – When Titans President of Football Operations Chad Brinker first shared his vision for changing the fate of the football team, he discussed a patient, disciplined approach.
Here on Sunday morning at the NFL owners meetings, Brinker compared the team’s philosophy in deciding what to do with the first overall pick of the NFL Draft to the overall team-building process.
With a Pro Day and private workout for Miami quarterback Cam Ward now in the rear-view mirror, up next for the Titans is trip out West to Colorado, where they’ll see quarterback Shedeur Sanders and defensive back/receiver Travis Hunter at their Pro Day and then private workouts.
Meanwhile, the team is doing its due diligence on Penn State edge rusher Abdul Carter while also monitoring trade discussions.
At some point in the not-so-distant future, the team will arrive at a conclusion.
“We are going to go through the whole thing, and I think probably here in two weeks we’re going to have a good idea of where things are headed,” Brinker said from the Breakers Hotel. “Now, we’re not going to go out there and tell everybody, of course.
“And, there’s a chance a team calls and it makes you stop for a second and think, “Hey, we might need to consider this.’ But all of this is a part of being disciplined, and being thorough.”
This past week, the Titans spent extensive time with Ward, attending his Pro Day on Monday and then putting him through a private workout on Friday.
Brinker had seen Ward in person previously, as he attended Miami’s game at Georgia Tech in the fall.
But it was the first time General Manager Mike Borgonzi and head coach Brian Callahan had seen Ward throw in person.
Brinker said the Titans then found out more about Ward at the private workout, which was also attended by Brinker, Borgonzi, and Callahan, along with Dave Ziegler and Reggie McKenzie from personnel, OC Nick Holz, QBs coach Bo Hardegree, and others. While the Titans didn’t put the receivers Ward brought with him to the private meeting through an extensive workout to protect them from injury, they did put Ward through drills.
“It was good to communicate with him, see how he communicates,” Brinker said. “And get an even better for what it’s like to coach this player.”
Brinker said everyone has been impressed with Ward’s demeanor and arm.
“I think everybody was very impressed with how he threw the football,” Brinker said of Ward. “He has a rapid release, a really fast release, quickness. The ball spin rate, that ball comes out with zip, and he is accurate. He has a lot of tools to work with. He’s going to be a good prospect.”
This upcoming Friday, the Titans will once again be well represented at Colorado’s Pro Day in Boulder. Then on April 9, the team will once again have a large contingent on hand at private workouts for both players, including offensive and defensive coaches so they can evaluate Hunter as a dual prospect. DC Dennard Wilson and Passing Game Coordinator/Cornerbacks Tony Oden will be on hand, along with members of the offensive staff.
Since Brinker attended two of Colorado’s games in the fall, he won’t be on hand for the team’s Pro Day.
The Titans have already spent time with Sanders at the East-West Shrine Game, and the NFL Combine, in addition to hosting him for a 30 visit.
“Shedeur is a little bit more of a pocket passer,” Brinker said. “He is accurate, has good mechanics. His father has coached him well, and he obviously is a top prospect as well. We brought him in on a 30 visit and got a chance to get to know him a little bit. And now we get to go through the same process we went through with Cam this past week, we’ll get to go through with Shedeur this week.”
Brinker said Hunter is also intriguing, which is why they’re thoroughly scouting him as well.
“Travis plays both sides of the ball, so we want our receiver coach to see Travis at receiver, because he plays both ways,” Brinker said. “I haven’t seen a guy has played 120 snaps a game, played both ways like that. He is special, he’s a special talent. He’s just a phenomenal athlete.
“Whether he plays receiver or DB or both in the NFL, this guy is going to be successful. He is a special talent.”
As for Carter, who didn’t work out at Penn State’s Pro Day on Friday because of a lingering foot injury, Brinker said he’s remained in regular contact with agent Drew Rosenhaus. The Titans have already hosted Carter on a 30 visit.
Brinker said Carter is “very much on our radar.”
“Obviously Abdul Carter is a great talent with explosive edge speed, ability to rush the passer. We all know what type of football player he is,” Brinker said of Carter. “People are making comparisons of his college tape, and the way he plays and bends the corner is like Von Miller. He has a lot of exciting tools to work with.”
Brinker said the team anticipates Carter going to the NFL Combine re-check for further evaluation of his medical condition.
“Everybody is still monitoring, that’s part of our process,” Brinker said. “The medical is a big part of this and we need to understand all that goes into this, especially when you are talking about a No.1 pick or a top three pick. You have to do your due diligence. … The medical is more important than him actually running the 40.”
Brinker described what the Titans are doing now as “the final stages of preparation” while saying “we’ll see where we are at that point.”
As for potential trade talks along the way, and the team being tempted by offers, Brinker said the team will continue to answer the phone.
“You have conversations here and there, but I think everybody understands these trades get done closer to the draft than they do now, at least most of the time,” Brinker said. “People are checking in, going through there process. So, we’ll see what happens.”
This post was originally published on this site be sure to check out more of their content.
