Seeing as the draft is officially three days away I thought it would be a good idea to describe, in my mind, what the dream situation would be for the Titans. The Titans are team with lots and lots of holes, most notably under center. On top of that they need a guard, some defensive line help, a linebacker and maybe a corner or safety. All in all something that can easily be fixed in a weekend right? Doubtful. But they could come close.
Round 1
As the commish announces the San Francisco 49er’s draft pick and says the Titans are on the clock the dream would begin with Julio Jones still on the board. But wait didn’t I say that the Titans don’t need a WR? You’re right I didn’t. What makes this a dream come true is that St. Louis is on the phone. They want to send a first, third and sixth round pick for the ability to take Jones. Reinfeldt doesn’t hesitate and says OK. Later in the evening when the Titans name is called again Reinsfeldt himself sprints to the commish to give him the card with “Mike Pouncey” on it. Now the Titans can shift Fernando Velasco back to the bench where he belongs.
Titans go home now, happy with their under the radar addition right? Wrong. They have two picks in the third round now. Time to use them. They call New Orleans and offer their second, third and 2 fourth round picks for their first round pick and a fourth. That’s a no brainer and now Tennessee has their biggest need right where they want him: Mallet, Ponder or Dalton. Tough choice. Titans go winning pedigree to help right their ship and take Andy Dalton.
The Titans are able to come home comfortable with their addition of a couple franchise staples.
Round 2
The Titans spend this time admiring their pseudo-2nd round pick of Andy Dalton. Owner Bud Adams has himself another Texan at QB and is overheard saying how he just canceled the last two checks to Vince Young as revenge for ruining his team.
Round 3
The Titans wake up to a very pleasant surprise. There are still good players who have slipped though Round 2. And they like them. Mainly DE Allen Bailey from Miami. You know anyone who goes to Miami is going to be athletically sound and Bailey doesn’t disappoint. When their turn comes up they do cartwheels bringing up Bailey’s name.
Round 4
The Titans are happy thus far. Pouncey, Dalton and Bailey have been a beautiful crop of players. Now they call up Offensive Line Coach Bruce Matthews for help on defense. Why on defense? Because he has intimate knowledge of who the Titans want with their first of two picks. To help shore up the linebacking corps the Titans use their first pick on Casey Matthews. They go for a proven winner and smart player to help fill a need again. Chimdi Chekwa will be a great addition and help them improve their pass defense.
Round 5
The Titans are liking what they are seeing fall to them right now. Now they need depth. Staring at them is a great athlete in Tyler Sash, safety from Iowa. Sash is a tough, durable playmaker who could fit perfectly along side of Mike Griffin. Sash is a good character guy, a leader, and yet another winner to help turn around the franchise.
Round 6
This is where the great teams separate themselves. They are the ones always finding steals. This year the Titans got their eyes set on two possible steals. The first one they will grab is from the great state of Idaho. Pat Enderle will be able to come in and push Rusty Smith for the backup role to Dalton.
The second will be defensive tackle Ian Williams from Notre Dame. Williams isn’t the flashiest but he has a motor that doesn’t stop going and is great in spurts. The Titans are happy to take a guy that will fit perfectly.
Round 7
The Titans are sitting pretty. Mel Kiper just gave them a B (a sure sign that it’s going to be a good draft. You never want the kiss of death, an “A”). Waiting for them in the 7th and final round is a good slot receiver from Hawaii in Kealoha Pilares. Pilares has some inflated numbers based on Hawaii’s scheme but he’s a powerfully built receiver who can work well underneath the coverage and get yards.
The Titans go home pretty happy with themselves. The managed to fill their most glaring needs and added some much needed depth in other places. They have brought in a franchise center in Mike Pouncey and quarterback of the future in Andy Dalton. They got some help on the defensive line in Allen Bailey and Ian Williams. The defensive secondary is bolstered with Chimdi Chekwa and Tyler Sash. And as a little depth they have brought in Tyler Enderle and Kealoha Pilares to add some depth and make the team more competitive. Mel Kiper and Todd McShay knock on the war room door to congratulate the staff of the Tennessee Titans. As they walk through the do–
Mike Reinfeldt’s alarm goes off. 5:30 Thursday morning. Time to get to work to make that dream a reality.
Zac Talk 