Double The Pleasure - Can Kevin Ayers follow in Big Brother's Footsteps?

Lost in the flurry of the big names in the draft, a player currently flying under the radar is Kevin Ayers, strong safety and brother to Titans linebacker Akeem Ayers, who tried out at the rookie mini camp for the Titans. An undrafted free agent out of Arizona State, Ayers played at Pasadena City College and then transferred to West Los Angeles College. At the beginning of his junior year he committed to Arizona State where he had a solid 2 years, playing in the secondary and excelling on special teams.

He would block 2 punts his senior year, one against Arizona State that led to a safety. A versatile player who has played linebacker, free safety and strong safety, Ayers is likely a long shot to make the Titans roster. However, he could very well make a good practice squad candidate where he could hone his skills and possibly make it onto the 53, either with the Titans or elsewhere.

Ayers is listed officially at 6' 0" tall and 202. His best 40 time was 4.57 with his official being 4.66 which compares favorably to other top drafted safeties. His vertical jump was 33 which is a bit sub-par compared to other top safeties drafted. He benched 19 reps.

It is often said timing and opportunity is everything and there is certainly opportunity at the safety position with the Titans. There is going to be a lot of competition at the position and watching Ayers when training camp opens should be interesting should he get the opportunity. His appearance at rookie minicamp was on a tryout basis and it is unclear whether he will get an invite to training camp.

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Titans on the Hot Seat in 2013 - Players

Obviously the entire Titans organization is on notice to produce in 2013 but there are several Titans management, coaches and players who in particular are on the hot seat in 2013. Which ones are they? I previously took at look at Titans on the Hot Seat in 2013 - Management as well as Titans on the Hot Seat in 2013 - Coaches but now let's take a look at which players are on the hot seat, starting with the most obvious of all choices.

PLAYERS

QUARTERBACK JAKE LOCKER

Entering his third season, quarterback Jake Locker looks to rebound from a disappointing 2012 campaign. During the 2012 offseason, Locker won a "quarterback competition" that some believed was weighted in his favor and assumed the starting role over incumbent Matt Hasselbeck. He went into 2012 with high expectations.

Locker suffered an injury to his left non-throwing shoulder in the first game against the New England Patriots in the 4th quarter but returned to action in game 2 against San Diego. His shoulder was re-injured in game 4 (it was later revealed to be a separated shoulder) with the Houston Texans when he took a punishing blow from Glover Quinn. He returned to action in game 10 versus Miami. Overall, 2012 was a tough season for the young quarterback not only due to his own injury but to injuries to the offensive line. The offense was generally ineffective even when veteran Hasselbeck was under center.

Locker underwent offseason surgery to repair his left shoulder and is projected to be ready for training camp. Locker is under contract through 2014 and his salary is fully guaranteed (2013: $1,519,182, 2014: $2,091,273) per Rotoworld. The Titans exchanged Hasselbeck for veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick during the offseason but if Locker struggles in 2013 you would expect the Titans to hedge their bets. Analyzing the Ryan Fitzpatrick Move

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RUNNING BACK CHRIS JOHNSON

After struggling the first half of the season, running back Chris Johnson returned somewhat to form midway through the season, enough so that the "powers that be" who are on the hot seat such as coaches and management opted to pay Johnson his $2,000,000.00 signing bonus and absorb his $10,000,000.00 salary in 2013. Johnson has salaries of $8,000,000.00 in 2014 and $7,000,000.00 in 2015 and will be 28 years old at the beginning of the 2013 season. Unless he simply has an outstanding year in 2013 it is difficult to imagine the Titans, or any other team, paying him that type of salary. I wouldn't expect Johnson to renegotiate his contract with the Titans and therefore I don't expect to see him in two tone blue past the 2013 season.

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WIDE RECEIVER KENNY BRITT

While troubled wide receiver Kenny Britt appears to have survived continuing offseason issues, an ACL injury in 2011, and an on the field disappearing act in 2012 to remain on the roster in 2013 his days as a Titan are likely numbered. Britt is incredibly talented and seems to be a likeable guy but he just doesn't seem to learn from his mistakes. Britt is also entering a contract year and is slated to make $1,347,500.00 in 2013. Regardless, Britt is playing for his next contract no matter the source and 2013 is a huge year for him.

Kenny Britt bio

MIDDLE LINEBACKER COLIN MCCARTHY

When healthy, middle linebacker Colin McCarthy is a force on the field. A 4th round draft pick out of Miami in in 2011, McCarthy became a started as well as a leader on the defense his rookie year. Sadly, injuries since then have marred what appeared to be a very promising beginning for the young linebacker. He appeared in only 7 games in 2012, losing time first to a high ankle sprain and later to a concussion. The Titans defense really suffers when McCarthy isn't on the field. He is signed through 2014 but if he can't stay healthy and produce in 2013 you can expect the Titans to start looking at their options.

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OUTSIDE LINEBACKER AKEEM AYERS

Former UCLA linebacker Akeem Ayers has played every game since his rookie season in 2011 and he immediately became a reliable and at times impact player for the Titans. Along with fellow linebackers McCarthy and second year man Zach Brown, they form an exciting and promising trio. For Ayers however, the new rookie salary scale means he is playing for his next contract sooner than those in previous years and he is under contract only through 2014. So while not on the hot seat, I added him here because 2013 is definitely a key year for him as he enters "playing for your next contract" territory.

Akeem Ayers bio

SAFETY MICHAEL GRIFFIN

Many expected the Titans might part ways with safety Michael Griffin after an up and down 2012 season but the Titans opted to pick up his roster bonus and absorb his $3,500,000.00 salary during the offseason. However, the Titans also signed safety George Wilson to a two year deal. Like Britt, Griffin is a gifted athlete who has shown flashes of greatness but with his salary escalating to $6.2 milly in 2014 this is a make or break year for the young safety.

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CORNERBACK ALTERRAUN VERNER

Former UCLA cornerback Alterraun Verner is entering the final year of his rookie deal and will be a free agent in 2014. A 4th round pick in in 2010 and a solid player for the Titans, Verner has watched the Titans draft competition since his rookie year and has still retained his starting role. However, during the offseason and prior to the draft the Titans expressed an interest in adding a cornerback who can play press coverage and they drafted UConn defensive back Blidi Wreh-Wilson in round 3 of the 2013 draft. Verner seems headed to the slot where he will likely compete with second year man Coty Sensabaugh who had a solid rookie campaign.

DEFENSIVE END DERRICK MORGAN

Defensive end Derrick Morgan enters 2013 under high hopes that he can continue the promise and progress he showed in 2012. A first round draft pick (#16 overall) in 2010, Morgan's season was cut short by an ACL injury. He returned to action in 2011 playing 15 games but only showed flashes of the ability he showed while playing at Georgia Tech. Morgan had an underrated 2012 where he registered 9 sacks, 21 quarterback hits, and 42 quarterback hurries.. He also batted down 4 passes. Morgan is under contract through 2015, but that is a voidable year. While his salary in 2014 is certainly reasonable at $1.4 million he is definitely entering "playing for your next contract territory." 

Derrick Morgan bio

DEFENSIVE END KAMERION WIMBLEY

Frankly, I hated adding Kam Wimbley to this list as he also had a very underappreciated 2012 along with fellow defensive end Derrick Morgan. Yet, first and foremost the NFL is a business and you have to wonder what the Titans will do as Wimbley's contract figures for 2014 through 2016 continue to escalate. Is it too early to add Wimbley to this list? Maybe so but with a salary of $6,000,000.00 it isn't out of the question to think that 2013 is a key year for him.

Kam Wimbley bio

DEFENSIVE TACKLE JURRELL CASEY

Add Jurrell Casey to the list of Titans playing for their next contract. Casey has been outstanding and is entering the third year of a 4 year deal. The addition of Sammie Lee Hill should help Casey as he typically faced double and at times triple teams in 2012 and still managed to be an impact player. If Casey has the year you expect him to have, I look for the Titans to begin negotiating to extend him if the team plays well and there isn't a change in management/coaching. If there is, he could be playing for his next contract with another team if the new staff decides to go in a different direction.

Jurrell Casey bio

DEFENSIVE TACKLE KARL KLUG

Another guy playing for his next contract is 3rd year defensive lineman Karl Klug. Despite a solid rookie campaign where he led all rookie defensive tackles in sacks at 7, Klug saw limited playing time in 2012. The addition of Mike Martin and a general change in philosophy toward bigger DTs clearly affected Klug's stock and he has to find a way to get back on the field because he is also only signed through 2014 and is playing for his next contract. 

Karl Klug bio

OFFENSIVE TACKLE DAVID STEWART

David "Big Country" Stewart is a popular guy who is well liked and he has been a solid and dependable player since being drafted in the 4th round by the Titans in the 2005 NFL draft. Stewart broke his right leg in  game 13 of the 2012 season but it appears he will be ready for training camp. The Titans picked up his $1,000,000.00 roster bonus during the offseason and all appearances indicate they will absorb his $5,000,000.00 salary. Stewart is slated to earn $6.4 million in 2014 but it is a voidable year and he will be 32 years old. 

David Stewart bio

OFFENSIVE TACKLE MICHAEL ROOS

Like fellow lineman Big Country Stewart, but without the injury, Roos enters 2013 facing a voidable year at his contract in 2014 and his salary numbers are likewise high. He will earn $6,000,000.00 in 2013 and that escalates to $6.625 million in 2014 when he will likewise turn 32.

Mike Roos bio 

OFFENSIVE LINEMAN FERNANDO VELASCO

When the Titans tagged Fernando Velasco I truly expected he would be considered a lock at center. Velasco had an outstanding 2012 in his first year starting for the Titans. An undrafted free agent who spent 2 years on the practice squad before making the 53 in 2010 Velasco is a versatile lineman who can play both center and guard. Given that the Titans selected one of the best centers in the 2013 draft in Brian Schwenke, Velasco will be competing at center and guard for a spot on the roster in 2014.

Fernando Velasco bio

NOTES:

There are also several Titans who are playing under one year deals like Bernard Pollard that I didn't include on this list because of course 2013 would be key years. Also, there are other players you could add to the "playing for their next contract" list but I elected to go with only those players who have been or are expected to be key contributors. Finally, I didn't include Eugene Amano because with a 2013 salary of $3.685 it is hard to imagine he will be on the roster in 2013.

Which Titans Rookie Will Have the Most Impact?

The easy answer here is Justin Hunter and I agree Hunter should make an immediate impact. Having said that, my pick for the rookie who will make the biggest impact is 3rd round pick Zaviar Gooden. Why might you ask when the Titans already have 3 excellent young linebackers in Colin McCarthy, Akeem Ayers and Zach Brown? Well, let's take a look.

The Titans have traditionally used some 4 linebacker packages but they weren't able to utilize this option last season due to injury and ineffectiveness at the linebacker position. Colin McCarthy should be healthy going into 2013 and with fellow backers Ayers, Brown and Gooden they should form the youngest, fastest, most versatile and athletic group of linebackers in the league. Since the Titans tend to rotate, I expect Gooden to play early and often even in their base defense and I expect he will man the Will spot. That's not all I expect from this young man however.

Base 4-3 defense

While I certainly think Gooden could rotate in 3 linebacker packages, I expect the Titans to run more 4-4 defense in 2013. I love this defense. When manned with the right personnel, it is a great run stopping defense that allows for a variety of blitz schemes and provides the defensive coordinator with many opportunities to disguise coverage. Unfortunately, it can also allow for big plays but the Titans added defensive back depth in the offseason and that will be of great benefit. Now that the Titans have the personnel to effectively use it, I think you can expect to see it utilized with a lot of success.

Base 4-4 Defense

When running a 4-4 defense, it is fairly important you have cornerbacks who can play press coverage and are comfortable in man to man because you expect their primary responsibility to be pass coverage. The addition of BW3 should help in that regard because the only other cornerback who has shown that capability is Jason McCourty but I also think Coty Sensabaugh can do it too. The safety should be able to read and react and typically plays fairly deep. This is a role Michael Griffin has traditionally played but I expect the Titans to challenge Griffin in this spot with George Wilson who has played the position and did it well. You might see Bernard Pollard there in certain situations but that will probably be rare.

These are the various ways I see the linebackers and defensive backs lining up in the 4-4. Ayers, Brown and Gooden are easily interchangeable on the left and right side in my opinion but I would expect Colin Mccarthy to stay on the left inside spot. You want your biggest and strongest linebacker in the middle paired with the left defensive tackle for run support so McCarthy fits best there. The left outside linebacker needs to be quick, athletic and good versus the run so I would place Zach Brown there. The right inside linebacker should be quick and a sure tackler and that fits Zach Gooden perfectly. Your best edge rushing linebacker should be in the right outside linebacker spot so I put Akeem Ayers there.

Again, I think Ayers, Brown and Gooden will prove to be interchangeable and Gooden might end up being better at the outside spot so I can see the alignment above too. We all know Brown can rush the passer as well so you might even see him at the right outside linebacker position. Brown in my opinion is also the strongest linebacker next to McCarthy and he is the Titans best tackler as well so I could see him doing well at the right inside linebacker spot. My only hesitation with this scenario is that I think Ayers needs to work on his run defense.

Obviously, this is very basic and simplistic and you can expect to see a lot variations but there you have it. I also think the Titans will show a few 3-4 looks too which could increase Gooden's playing time. I hope you see why I was so excited about this possible addition prior to the draft. Who do you expect to have the most impact and why?

Defensive Linemen Prospects for the Titans - Jamie Collins

JAMIE COLLINS - DEFENSIVE END/OLB Southern Mississippi

I previously identified Sylvester Williams as a guy to watch (for reasons similar to this blog) and now I'm adding Jamie Collins. Both guys fit what the Titans added to the mix last season in a modified 43 defensive package. At 6' 3" and 250 pounds, Collins was breathtaking in drills at the Combine. At SMU, he was the "bandit end" in their 4-2-5 defense which is a scheme the Titans also ran on occasion in 2012 using Akeem Ayers. Collins ran a 4.64 40 yard dash, had a 41.5 inch vertical leap, and a 139 inch broad jump. He also ran a 7.10 second 3 cone drill. He was easily one of the more impressive players at the combine today, and if the Titans are convinced they want to continue to evolve into this type scheme he would be a perfect fit for it.

Bandit End 4-2-5 defense

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