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Houston Texans

Pass-catching tight ends are at a premium in the draft, says Sam Khan of the Houston Chronicle.

What do the Texans need on offense and who might fit? Lance Zierlein of the fan blog at the Houston Chronicle takes a look.

Indianapolis Colts

Bob Kravitz of the Indianapolis Star trusts Tom Moore’s judgment, and Moore likes Andrew Luck a lot.

David Thornton spent his career as a linebacker with the Indianapolos Colts and Tennessee Titans. He was recently hired by the Colts' new regime as their new player development coordinator. Phillip B. Wilson of the Star looks at Thornton's ability to make frinds and impact people.

Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jaguars added veteran receiver Lee Evans with a one-year deal, says Tania Ganguli of the Jacksonville Times-Union. A friend in Baltimore told me Evans showed absolutely nothing during his one season with the Ravens. But I like the signing, which I am sure costs very little. If he bounces back, he’ll be a great add, and if he doesn't, well, they shouldn’t have been counting on much.

Tennessee Titans

The Titans and a lot of others believe Jake Locker was the right choice at the right time, says Jim Wyatt of The Tennessean.

Titans safety Jordan Babineaux and his brother have a film production company that has a movie coming out, says Terry McCormick of the National Football Post.

It’s ugly in Indianapolis.

At 0-7, the Colts are talking about sticking together, improving and giving themselves a chance to win.

But as they prepare for a trip to Nashville for a Sunday meeting with the Titans at LP Field, they are a severely broken team. Where they would be with Peyton Manning is an interesting hypothetical question, but we’re dealing with realities. And those realities are the sort that will test the franchise’s stitching -- seamwork that might not hold together when this is all over.

Who’s at fault? Everyone’s got a hand in it, but let’s look at the Colts from a couple of angles.

A big cover-up: It’s not a secret that Manning has helped cover up a lot of flaws and allowed the franchise to under-address certain areas.

The Colts during the Manning era have never been much concerned with size, always valuing speed and instincts more. They’ve never worried about stocking special teams with any veteran backups, in part because they spend their money on stars or adding a high-quality return man. They’ve settled for being below average running the ball. And they’ve won despite a general inability to stop the run.

Without their four-time MVP running the offense, all those things are magnified in ways they’ve never been before.

It shouldn’t be a surprise. They’re built to have Manning at the controls, and he’s been there all the time from the very beginning in 1998 until opening day this season.

There are maybe two teams and markets in the league that would not trade for what the Colts have done since 1999. Twelve consecutive playoff seasons followed by one complete dud? Where do I sign up for that?

Construct questions: That said, regardless of a serious neck surgery to the star quarterback, what exactly was the plan in the secondary? Is an evaluation that leaves Jacob Lacey, Terrence Johnson, Kevin Thomas and Chris Rucker as cornerbacks Nos. 2 through 5 good enough? Absolutely not.

The Colts get credit for adding a couple of outside veterans this season -- linebacker Ernie Sims, and defensive ends Jamaal Anderson and Tyler Brayton. But the drafting has dropped off.

Set aside the most recent class, as it’s too early to judge.

The Colts drafted 41 players from 2005 through 2010. I count one star, safety Antoine Bethea, and two guys who can become stars, linebacker Pat Angerer and receiver Austin Collie (if he’s working with Manning). Running back Joseph Addai is a good fit who does more than people think. And receiver Pierre Garcon and cornerback Jerraud Powers have been pretty solid starters.

Sure, the Colts drafted higher in the five years before. Still, those classes produced five guys who rank among the best players of their generation at their positions: tight end Dallas Clark, defensive ends Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis, safety Bob Sanders, and receiver Reggie Wayne. The next tier provided steady starters on the offensive line (Jake Scott, Ryan Diem) and at linebacker (David Thornton).

That list is more than a third of a starting team, a big-time core. As those guys age or disappear, I'm not seeing a core in waiting.

Colts president-turned-vice chairman Bill Polian said recently on his radio show that they needed to have done better recently, particularly at defensive tackle and cornerback.

And there is a domino effect to the problem. Find Tarik Glenn’s ultimate replacement at left tackle in 2007, and you don’t need to use your top pick in 2011 on Anthony Castonzo. Hit on Donald Brown in the first round in 2009, and Delone Carter might not be necessary in the fourth round in 2011.

The Polians: Bill Polian has been pulling back and yielding responsibility to his son, GM Chris Polian. (Chris politely declined to be interviewed for this story.)

We don’t yet have much tape on Chris Polian, so to speak. Bill Polian is a good talent evaluator who has had success in three NFL stops and has done well to build a team with which Manning has won. But Bill Polian also has overseen those recent draft drop-offs.

His strong-willed personality is part of what has made him good at his job, and his big-picture assessment of important league issues is as intelligent as anyone’s. He’s got clout and influence that extend beyond Indianapolis.

Stylistically, he’s a stubborn and demanding boss. There are indications from within that, without the steady stream of personnel hits he provided earlier in his tenure, some inside the building are tiring of the way things are run.

Bill Polian recently talked about how Curtis Painter's play vindicates the team for having faith in him, but failed to mention that faith was so strong that the team signed Kerry Collins to a $4 million contract shortly before the season started and handed him the starting job.

I suspect Bill Polian has the backing of owner Jim Irsay for as long as he wants it. That would ensure safety for Chris Polian, too.

Bill Polian made the Manning-over-Ryan Leaf call in 1998. Because of the way Leaf busted, people forget that was a coin flip at the time, that Leaf was regarded as a big-time prospect just as much as Manning was. Polian called it correctly, built a team that’s been to two Super Bowls and won one, got a new stadium built, and greatly enhanced the value of Irsay’s franchise.

Cryptic messages: Further complicating things is Irsay, who clearly gets a kick out of being the center of NFL attention in the Twitter-verse but has undermined some of his people with it.

He announced the team added Collins while coach Jim Caldwell was conducting his daily news conference. It did Caldwell no favors, as he appeared completely out of the loop.

Most recently, following the 62-7 loss in New Orleans on Sunday night, Irsay provided this gem:

“Titanic collapse, apologies 2 all ColtsNation...problems identifiable;solutions in progress but complex in nature/ better days will rise again”

A day later, he added:

"Just because you perceive problems on the horizon,and you possess solutions..doesn't mean they are avoidable and implementation is instant"

Solutions in progress, but complex in nature. That sounds to me like what would be written in big silver letters on the lobby wall of a consulting company on a TV show. Or a clever, but far-too-long name for a band.

It also sounds like change is going to come.

Coaching questions: While Bill Polian recently said that adding Jim Tressel to the staff as a replay consultant was Caldwell’s idea, it’s a weird-looking move that’s made some of us wonder whether a bigger role awaits the former Ohio State coach.

Caldwell does a nice job managing personalities, looking at things philosophically and staying on message. I believe he’s a good teacher, and his patient, quiet style is generally healthy for a team with a good share of veteran stars.

But he has blind spots, too, and is hardly a strategy master. There are bound to be significant changes at the conclusion of what’s sure to be a dreadful season, and he’ll be at the front of the line.

If he does the best job we can remember at holding a terrible, ineffective team together, is that enough? I’d guess not.

Injuries: This team gets hurt too much. There is a huge element of bad luck to it, of course. But is there something bigger at work as well?

Last season as quality players went down, Manning helped some role players such as tight end Jacob Tamme and receiver Blair White emerge. This season, guys such as linebacker Gary Brackett and safety Melvin Bullitt were lost for the season early, and there's been a revolving door on the offensive line because of injuries.

The Colts are constantly testing their depth and shuffling the back end of their roster. There is only so much shuffling a depth chart can handle.

I believe they need to attempt some change that might have a positive effect on their overall health -- whether it be adopting new training philosophies, altering how they evaluate prospects or changing personnel philosophies.

It's easy to ask them to figure out why they tend to suffer so many injuries, and it's hard to find an answer. But some sort of shift is due, even as we know it comes with no guarantee of better health.

When the current approach is failing, it's OK to try something else. It's not admitting some sort of failure; it's merely part of a necessary process of evaluating and revising operations.

Suck for Luck: Given a chance to draft Stanford quarterback Andrew Luck, I think the Colts would. Bill Polian can give Chris Polian the guy expected to be the NFL's next great quarterback, and Chris Polian's legacy would be built on a fantastic cornerstone.

But there is no losing on purpose to get in position for Luck. You think Wayne or Mathis is interested in such a master plan?

Said veteran center and team tone-setter Jeff Saturday: “I'll steal a Robert Mathis quote: 'I ain't sucking for anybody.'”

The Colts often develop linebackers, then let them walk, hesitant to reinvest.

When Mike Peterson left in 2003, they got to see him twice annually for six years as a member of the Jaguars. When David Thornton bolted in 2006, they got to play against him as a member of the division rival Titans.

Bill Polian offered a classic quote after one of those early matchups against Thornton on Tennessee, saying the Colts' best linebacker was wearing No. 55 for the other team.

Is Indianapolis about to endure another chapter of losing a quality linebacker to a rival?

Tania Ganguli reports that the Jaguars are in serious talks with Clint Session.

Session is an explosive player the Colts missed last season after a serious elbow injury knocked him out of the lineup. He likely has not played his best football yet.

The Jaguars already have struck a deal with Buffalo free-agent middle linebacker Paul Posluszny.

Session would be in line to replace Jacksonville free agent Justin Durant.

If the Jaguars started a lineup with Daryl Smith and Session flanking Posluszny, they’d likely have the best linebacking corps in the division, although Houston would want to argue it.

I’m guessing a one-time NFL linebacker named Jack Del Rio is liking the sound of that.

Monday, I shared my thinking on coaches who are lamenting the loss of traditional OTA time. It makes sense they are missing it, but they’ll survive without it.

In this blog entry from John Glennon, Titans offensive coordinator Chris Palmer hits on what I believe to be another overrated theme: chemistry:

“I really think this is where the team bonds. The guys go bowling or play golf and that bonding starts in the spring. The good teams have that bonding. That’s what you look for as a coach. You say, 'This group is pretty good together,’ and 'This group is pretty good together. There’s good crossover there.’

“The leaders of the team offensively and defensively are in the locker room, saying, 'These are the standards we want set here.’ When we start practicing those will be things that will come. But as a coach, you’d like to start seeing them right now.”

The Titans have new coaches and a new rookie quarterback. As much as anyone in the league, they need time together. They don’t yet have a to-be-determined veteran quarterback who will man the position ahead of Jake Locker.

This team has major leadership questions that need to be sorted out. Who, I wonder, does Palmer see as his standard-setters under contract in the locker room?

Among players under contract beyond left tackle Michael Roos, I scan the remaining depth chart and can’t find a quality candidate.

Time together in-house can certainly help those who are around.

Tennessee needs free agency far more than it needs OTAs.

But this team needs an infusion of veteran leadership akin to what it got in 2006 when Chris Hope, David Thornton and Kevin Mawae were brought in, outsiders with pedigrees.

The guys already under contract now need time on the field in real practices and real games to establish their leadership credentials. What can happen at a bowling get together is minor, and might be happening now anyway. I understand why Palmer wants it. But not having it isn't going to be a reason his offense isn't good if it isn't good.

Winning doesn’t come out of chemistry as much as chemistry comes out of winning.

Reading the coverage ...

Houston Texans

They kept Gary Kubiak but fired four defensive coaches, says John McClain.

Bold is not in the Texans' playbook, says Richard Justice.

Texans defenders react to the firings, from McClain.

Arian Foster sees an encore in store, says Jordan Godwin.

Indianapolis Colts

The Colts are rolling as the playoffs arrive, says Mike Chappell.

Battles on the line of scrimmage will be crucial Saturday, says Richards.

Bob Kravitz thinks the Jets will end the Colts’ season. (Video.)

The Jets are fading, says Nate Dunlevy.

A playoff ticket may be easier to get that you think, says Phillip B. Wilson.


Jacksonville Jaguars

Jack Del Rio had big support from the Jaguars’ players, says Tania Ganguli.

Wayne Weaver worked as a spin doctor for Del Rio, says Gene Frenette.

Maurice Jones-Drew called out Jaguars fans on ticket sales, says Ganguli. While the team wasn’t blacked out all season, it wasn’t sold out either. He doesn’t understand why it’s so complicated.

What’s left for Del Rio? To lead, says Vic Ketchman.

Tennessee Titans

Jeff Fisher’s in a spot he’s never been in before as he awaits Bud Adams’ decision, says Jim Wyatt.

A run through of the Titans’ issues beyond Fisher’s job security, from John Glennon.

Chris Johnson said being banged up was part of the reason he didn’t meet expectations, says Wyatt.

Vince Young wasn’t around for the wrap-up meeting or a physical, says Wyatt.

David Thornton’s hip was an issue all the way through the season, says Glennon.

A transcript of Fisher’s news conference, courtesy of Glennon.

Reading the coverage …

Houston Texans

Jerome Solomon says the Texans have reached the pivotal point in their season. I say that point has already come and gone.

Houston’s given up 13 pass plays over 40 yards, says Dale Robertson.

The Texans’ offense has not been effective enough in the first half, says John McClain.

Doing a couple of key things really well can be enough, says Richard Justice.

Rusty Smith couldn’t ask for a better opportunity, says Alan Burge.

Indianapolis Colts

The Colts continue to scramble to fill injury holes in the defensive backfield, says Phillip B. Wilson.

Peyton Manning is a runaway leader in Pro Bowl voting so far.

Wilson looks at the matchup against the Chargers.

A late look at Bill Polian’s radio show transcript.

The defense is much different at home and on the road, says Nate Dunlevy.

Where does the Colts’ offense go from here?

Jacksonville Jaguars

Jeremy Mincey is making his move, says Tania Ganguli.

The ascending Jaguars are in the playoff hunt, says Vito Stellino.

Mike Sims-Walker could be out again, says Ganguli.

Peter King puts Maurice Jones-Drew with Michael Vick as his most feared runners in the open field.

A Navy pilot scored a hit with an on-field reunion, says Bridget Murphy.

Jonathan Loesche wonders if 10-6 could win the division.

Tennessee Titans

The Titans didn’t want Vince Young around on Monday, says Jim Wyatt.

The Jeff Fisher-Young feud has polarized the Titans' fan base like nothing else in the 13 years since this franchise hit Tennessee turf, says David Climer.

The Titans activated David Thornton and cut Ryan Durand, say Wyatt.

A love triangle won’t work, says Alex Marvez.

The Titans are going in reverse and getting younger at quarterback, says David Boclair.

Titans linebacker David Thornton moves from the physically unable to perform list into his three week trial window where he can practice next week, Jeff Fisher said Friday.

He could be activated anywhere in that period, but the Titans are not in need of a veteran linebacker right now and his propensity to get hurt at this point could mean he lands on the injured reserve.

I’ve failed to circle back to the issue of his salary, which was scheduled to be $4.35 million this season -- a lot to pay for a guy recovering on the sidelines from hip and shoulder/pectoral injuries.

So I just checked on with Football Outside cap expert J. I. Halsell on this and stumbled into a bit of news.

Halsell said Thornton was paid weekly while on PUP just as if he was active. But Thornton re-did his contract before the season, chopping it from a $4.35 million base salary to $1.6 million.

The revamped contract also allows for him to earn $100,000 per game on the active roster, which could have topped out at $1 million. National Football League Players Association records confirm the alteration in base salary.

Barring a season-ending injury to another linebacker, I can’t see Thornton getting on the 53-man roster this year.

Reading the coverage …

Houston Texans

With DeMeco Ryans out, Brian Cushing is moving to the middle, says John McClain.

The Texans made some roster moves to bolster defensive depth, says McClain.

The Patriots benefited from the bad luck of former Texans kicker Kris Brown, says Jerome Solomon.

Battle Red Blog takes stock of Gary Kubiak’s season so far.

Indianapolis Colts

Anthony Gonzalez feels good and says he’s expecting to be ready to play, says Mike Chappell.

Bob Kravitz wonders about Pat McAfee’s punishment.

The Colts' offensive line is improving, says Nate Dunlevy.

Assessing the injury situation with Brett Mock.

Jacksonville Jaguars

David Garrard expects to play Sunday in Dallas, says Vito Stellino.

Jack Del Rio has the resolve to turn things around, says Stellino.

Video of Del Rio’s press conference.

The Jaguars made a wrong turn at the crossroads, says Vic Ketchman.

The Jaguars' defense is a special kind of bad, says Alfie Crow.

In Andrew Hofheimer's five points, he looks at how Don Carey and Courtney Green have played as safeties.

Tennessee Titans

Vince Young’s status remains day-to-day, says John Glennon.

Jeff Fisher’s gathering facts included a trip to the club when Kenny Britt was accused of being part of a fight, say Jim Wyatt and John Glennon.

David Thornton is unlikely to be coming off PUP, says Glennon.

Details on Kerry Collins’ finger, courtesy of Glennon.

Four plays at a time are no sweat for the Titans' defensive line, says David Boclair.

Field position has keyed the Titans' offensive success, says Tom Gower.

Three reasons to be happy and three reasons not to be, from Terry McCormick.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- A day after Kevin Mawae watched the Vikings and Saints show solidarity in a pregame gesture, he saw a smaller show of the same thing at a news conference announcing his retirement.

Titans left tackle Michael Roos, Titans left guard Leroy Harris and injured linebacker David Thornton joined Mawae’s family and the media in a conference room at the Vanderbilt Marriott. Mawae stopped at least three times to choke back tears as he said his goodbyes, talked about his decision and thanked some key people.

He got a phone call from an interested team about a month ago, but just didn’t feel the pull.

“In my heart, I didn’t have the desire to be grinding it out for another 16 weeks,” he said.

He helped block for Chris Johnson's 2,006-yard season last year, his career highlight as he never made it to a Super Bowl. Had a team been interested when he hit free agency, he might be preparing for opening day of his 17th season. Instead he’s dedicated to being around for his family, working as an unpaid intern in Vanderbilt’s strength and conditioning program and guiding the NFLPA through CBA negotiations as its president.

I didn't know him before, but Mawae was a first-class pro during the final four seasons of his career, played with the Titans. He was one of the team’s primary spokesmen and a key leader.

The Titans made the right move in going younger, and at least some other potential employers likely steered away from him because of his union post. (He holds it until March 2012.)

So be it. He had a great career. He didn’t sound like a guy who’s going to wake up one morning and decide he misses playing. He guaranteed he’s done.

Notes from the division on the eve of cut day:

Houston

• Jeremiah Johnson has a dislocated toe. The Texans worked out Derrick Ward and Justin Fargas and John McClain just tweeted the team is signing Ward.
• Gary Kubiak said the Texans will start off with two quarterbacks on the roster and that Dan Orlovsky is No. 2. Which means John David Booty is likely heading for the practice squad. The coach also confirmed that Jacques Reeves will be among the team’s cuts.
• Neil Rackers won the kicker job based on his kickoff abilities.
• Safety Dominique Barber (@34dombarber) tweeted that he’s made the roster.

Indianapolis

• Jim Caldwell plans to meet with every player the Colts cut, says Phil Richards. Veterans who could be in jeopardy include Gijon Robinson, Keyunta Dawson and Adam Terry.

Jacksonville

• I’ve seen not so much as a tidbit.

Tennessee

• Gerald McRath’s four-game suspension begins Saturday at 5 CT. He’s not allowed on the premises for a month after that.
• David Thornton will be placed on the physically unable to perform list and the Titans will be able to better evaluate his bad hip after six weeks, according to Jeff Fisher.
• Fisher said he will not contact cut players until Saturday.

A check in on unresolved starting position battles in the division as teams prepare for preseason finales on Thursday and the cut down to 53 on Saturday.

Houston Texans

Right guard: It’s third-year man Mike Brisiel, who missed all but the opener last season with an injury, trying to hold off second-year man Antoine Caldwell. I’d think they view Caldwell as having more upside and being more suited to the system, but it seems too close to call still.

Kicker: Kris Brown could be limited with a bit of a foot injury, but it doesn’t sound like it will factor into the decision. He and Neil Rackers have been quite even, so the question becomes does Gary Kubiak stay loyal to Brown or decide a change of scenery will be healthier and go with Rackers?

Outside linebacker: While Brian Cushing sits the first four games to serve his suspension, it's still unclear what the Texans will do. There was a lot of talk about Zac Diles playing strongside while rookie Daryl Sharpton took Diles' spot. Now the local media is talking as if Kevin Bentley is the front-runner.

Indianapolis Colts

Left guard: The offensive line’s been a complete scramble in the preseason because of injuries. Presuming Charlie Johnson is set to return as left tackle for opening day in Houston, this spot looks like the one most up in the air. Tony Ugoh was plugged in at the start of camp, but then wound up at tackle when Johnson was hurt. Jamey Richard could also win it, and if the Colts are being secretive, rookie Jacques McClendon could factor in.

Return man: Three newcomers -- Brandon James, Devin Moore and Ray Fisher -- have all gotten looks in games. Moore had the best results with the ball in his hands. But he's been dinged and the other two have made fielding errors with Fisher booting one against Buffalo and James doing the same at Green Bay. How they stack up in-house right now is unknown, and Thursday could certainly still factor into things.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Right guard: Has Vince Manuwai, an incumbent starter, held on to the one open spot on the line? If so he should play on the right. If not, Uche Nwaneri will probably play on the right with Kynan Forney on the left. It seems Jack Del Rio’s decided, but just isn’t sharing yet.

Safety: Both spots are hardly cemented, and it will be a bigger surprise if the team doesn’t add a safety from waivers than if it does. Anthony Smith looks to lead at strong with Gerald Alexander at free, but they have Sean Considine and Reggie Nelson and even Courtney Greene and Tyron Brackenridge in the mix too. None of them has stepped forward and made a huge push so far.

Tennessee Titans

Right cornerback: Jason McCourty is steadier and faster, rookie Alterraun Verner is a bigger playmaker. Jeff Fisher’s left open the possibility of playing them both, but that’s a difficult juggling act that could slow the progress of both. It’s also a good way for the coach to keep quiet on the starter in the opener until just before kickoff.

Returner: Damian Williams is the guy they’d like to win it, but he’s been a little timid and lost a fumble during a return in Carolina. Another rookie, Marc Mariani, is the primary alternative.

Outside linebacker: While Gerald McRath serves his four-game suspension, who lines up with Stephen Tulloch and Will Witherspoon? Colin Allred would appear the leader, with Jamie Winborn the other possibility. Activating David Thornton off PUP and using him is an outside option. I don’t see it considering his scheduled salary of around $5 million, his propensity for getting hurt and his current physical status.

Reading the coverage ...

Houston Texans

The Texans are closing in on a new deal for Andre Johnson.

Houston and Aaron Schobel have a mutual interest, says John McClain.

Out with a hamstring injury, Trindon Holliday found a pink tricycle instead of a stationary bike, says McClain and Jordan Godwin.

Mike Brisiel is trying to make sure he’s got a diversified portfolio.

Bernard Pollard is embracing his leadership role.

There is a place for all five running backs, says Anna-Megan Raley.

Players are doing desperate things to beat the heat, reports Raley.

On training camp pranks and Brisiel taking on another interior line position.

Indianapolis Colts

A storm shifted the Colts’ schedule.

DeShea Townsend adds veteran experience at corner, says Mike Chappell.

Jerry Hughes may have to be patient, says John Oehser.

Bob Sanders can’t shake the injury questions, writes Pete Prisco.

What Prisco loves and hates about the Colts.

Tony Ugoh is happier at guard, says Larry Hawley.

Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jaguars have things to sort out at defensive tackle, says Vito Stellino.

The Hawaiian battle in the Oklahoma was a draw, writes Stellino. (I didn't think so.)

Mark Long goes deeper into the Terrance Knighton weight story.

David Johnson just bought season tickets.

Vic Ketchman defends Joe Cullen.

Tennessee Titans

David Thornton is sure he will be ready, writes Wyatt.

Night practice was a hit, says John Glennon.

Jovan Haye is looking good and feisty, writes Wyatt.

The Titans are pulling for LenDale White, says Wyatt.

Even with a suspension looming, Gerald McRath is holding his head high, says David Boclair.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Chris Johnson ran his conditioning test somewhere between 12:00 or 1:00 CT, way late considering practice was at 3:30. He passed of course, running a 300-yard shuttle in under 60 seconds, taking the five-minute rest that’s built in, and beating 60 seconds again.

I believe it was a year ago on this day that we scoffed when he talked about wanting to run for 2,000 yards. Saturday he said he wants 2,500, but would be happy with anything beyond Eric Dickerson’s 2,105, the NFL’s single-season record.

He'd like an MVP to come with it.

"They'd have no choice," he said. "No player ever did it twice back-to-back, so I don't think they'd have a choice."

In the salary adjustment that moved money from later in his contract to signing bonus this season, he said there were no discussions about whether the team intended to renegotiate after this season, the third of the original five-year deal.

He praised new running back coach Craig Johnson, saying the coach who recently shifted from quarterbacks knows the playbook like the back of his hand. Johnson did visit once with Kennedy Pola -- in Florida where Pola lived in Jacksonville and Johnson in Orlando.

I asked if a guy who considers himself “Every Coach’s Dream” thought the offensive coordinator post at USC was a better job that coaching him.

“It’s a business, so it’s about money at the end of the day,” Johnson said. “More money for him.”

The other player who spent the offseason away, Stephen Tulloch, was on the field as the starting middle linebacker after his unsuccessful bid for a long-term deal. He will play for his one-year tender of $2.521 million unless agent Drew Rosenhaus can pull off something.

“It’s just unfortunate that my year [for unrestricted free agency] I’m stuck in this bind with 211 other people,” he said. “… I understood how it works, let my agent work on it and he continues to work hard in Miami.

“You work tremendously hard, you sacrifice your body every week, every year you give it all you’ve got. You look at the situation, obviously you’re not happy with it, but what can you do? Your hands are tied. There’s a deadline, you’ve got to sign, you’ve got to move forward. I’m here, I’m going to put that behind me, finish this season off strong, get to the next level and try to be a Pro Bowl caliber-player.”

Gerald McRath, the outside linebacker who’s suspended for the first four games, wasn’t with the first team defense in team periods. Collin Allred, who’s spent the offseason in Tulloch’s spot, was outside opposite Will Witherspoon. Allred said he was told he’d get work outside, but he was surprised it was with the starters. He said he seeks to be a utility guy and special teamer.

David Thornton, the likely starter outside while McRath is out, was one of five Titans placed on the PUP list, along with Damian Williams, Tony Brown, Nick Schommer, Jamar Love and Willie Rose. Jeff Fisher made it sound like they would all be back in the short term.

Also...

• Justin Gage dropped out of practice with an intestinal problem and Lavelle Hawkins wound up working with Nate Washington on the first team. It would probably have been Kenny Britt – who made several nice catches along with Dominique Edison -- if he wasn’t dealing with cramping.
• Vince Young is used to joking around with Dowell Loggains, an assistant coach. But he said Loggains was far more serious in his first official action as the quarterbacks coach. The quarterback said he was glad to see Loggains in the post, replacing Johnson.
• Fisher said he believes Derrick Morgan is in Tennessee. GM Mike Reinfeldt indicated to the coach before practice that a deal with the first-round pick was getting close.
• Veteran tight end Sean Ryan, a relatively recent addition, said he thinks he will be given a chance to prompt the team to keep four players at the position.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. –- A few things Jeff Fisher said at his camp opening press conference.

• Some of Lane Kiffin’s recent thinking is absurd. News story on it here.
• Rookies report Friday evening. The first mandatory thing of camp for everyone is a Saturday breakfast. There is then conditioning testing. Players who attended 80 percent of offseason workouts run 300-yard shuttles in 50-yard spurts; those who did not attend have to stop and turn twice as frequently running in 25-yard bursts.
• He has no reason to expect linebacker Stephen Tulloch, who stayed away for the offseason upset that he didn’t get a long-term deal instead of a restricted free agent tender, not to show up.
• Linebacker David Thornton is healthier, but could still possibly land on the PUP list. Fisher expects him to play in the preseason.
• The Titans had been in some contact with Keith Bulluck, the veteran who recently signed with the Giants, despite Bulluck’s claim that he had talked with no one from the team since February.
• New running backs coach Craig Johnson will get extra assistance from coordinator Mike Heimerdinger if needed during the transition.
• It’s unrealistic to talk Super Bowl on Day One. Fisher operates in much smaller increments, setting short term goals for his team, he said. And any good from last year has to be rebuilt. “You can’t escrow stuff and withdraw it,” he said.
• A guy that rarely says something surprised him, or he didn’t anticipate something again took the blame for last year’s return issues: “I didn’t address that adequately enough,” he said.

A pre-camp depth chart can tell us more about PR, seniority and staff loyalties than about who will be in up-in-the air spots come opening day.

That said, having one is better than not having one. And among our four franchises, only the Titans have one out so far.

I just got around to scanning the depth chart the Titans included as part of their training camp release and thought a few bullet points were worth mention and discussion.

• Though middle linebacker Stephen Tulloch was not with the team through the entire offseason as he tried to leverage a long-term deal, he is listed as the starting middle linebacker. Odds are he’s in camp in time -- his one-year restricted free-agent tender was signed in June. Colin Allred’s worked in his place, and it wouldn’t have been a surprise if coach Jeff Fisher put Allred with the first team to start to make a statement of his own.
• At outside linebacker, Gerald McRath and David Thornton are listed as the starters. But Fisher said during OTAs, while Thornton healed multiple injuries, that the veteran didn’t qualify as a starter then. McRath is suspended for the first four games. Will Witherspoon, listed behind McRath, was the team’s biggest free-agent addition and is unquestionably going to be one of the starters outside.
• Rookie third-rounder Damian Williams is listed as the front-liner at both punt returner and kick returner, with another rookie receiver, Marc Mariani, second at punt returner and Kenny Britt second at kick returner. Alvin Pearman is third at both and clearly only veteran insurance. But Pearman ranks third at running back, ahead of rookies LeGarrette Blount and Stafon Johnson.
• Elsewhere, rookies rate lowly, as you’d expect. First-round defensive end Derrick Morgan is third on one side behind Jacob Ford and Jason Babin.
• Defensive tackle Jovan Haye, the player I rate as most likely to be demoted out of the starting lineup, remains a starter ahead of Jason Jones and Sen’Derrick Marks.
• Cornerback Jason McCourty is the second starter, with Ryan Mouton and rookie Alterraun Verner behind him while Tye Hill is backing up Cortland Finnegan on the other side.

Again, it’s an unofficial depth chart they are nice enough to provide this early for us to pick apart. We’ll take similar looks at the others when we first see them.