Player weights are subjective and, like unofficial stats, the team can make them whatever they want them to be. Albert Haynesworth was a good example. For years, the Titans listed him at 320 pounds, even when he played at 350 and even when there were hints that he was approaching 375. I don’t believe Big Al has weighed 320 since he was a teenager. Except for in the minds of the people who wanted you to believe it.
Likewise, the bodies of some of the current Titans don’t resemble their listed weights. Even though LenDale White and Craig Hentrich have dieted and lost weight, the Titans still have them listed as weighing the same as they did a year ago.
I’ve written a few times recently about them and a few other Titans who have experienced weight changes so I wanted to post some pictures of those guys to show you what they look like now.
And following that, as promised, are some pictures of the free agents the Titans acquired this offseason.
When I saw Craig Hentrich (pictured top right) this spring, for the first time since losing weight on his diet, I thought, “Wow.” He thinks the weight loss will help his back problems, which sounds like a good thing. I’ll bet it hasn’t hurt his golf swing either. He’s still listed at his old playing weight of 213 even though he lost about 30 pounds. The diet has definitely prolonged his career, at least for one more season.
Photo by Andrew Strickert for Total Titans
LenDale White looks slimmer than his position coach, Earnest Byner. Yep, you guessed it, he’s still listed at 235 pounds. Funny, he was also listed at 235 when he couldn’t be weighed on your bathroom scales, the ones that only go up to 250. He’s probably lost over 30 pounds since then. The worms in the bottom of those to-kill-ya bottles must have been really fattening.
Photo by Andrew Strickert for Total Titans
Alge Crumpler, pictured here with TE coach John Zernhelt, is still listed at 262. He’s also the best blocking tight end the Titans have had since Erron Kinney retired. Kinney, who was listed at 275, could have played tackle if necessary and Crumpler looks like he could too. In a fully padded practice Thursday, Crumpler was pass-blocking KVB and was pretty physical at it. It would seem that Alge’s primary role this year will be as a blocker, leaving the receiving to Scaife and Cook.
Photo by Andrew Strickert for Total Titans
DE William “Big Play” Hayes, listed at 272 pounds, looks to me like he’s trying to become a defensive tackle. He reminds me of the story of a player who kept gaining weight and changing positions, from LB to DE to DT. The guy claimed he was eating his way closer to the ball. OK, the camera angle might be a tad unflattering, but you tell me, does Hayes really look like he only weighs 272?
And now for some pics of the new free agent additions. For more good reading, click on the links for some of the articles we’ve written about them.
Photo by Andrew Strickert for Total Titans
I’m hoping Nate Washington prevents opponents from crowding the line and stacking the box. An early look suggests he will.
Photo by Andrew Strickert for Total Titans
Plug Jovan Haye in as the starter at LDT. I liked this guy even before I saw him wearing the two-tone blue. I keep going back to his performance in the Bucs game a few years ago.
Photo by Andrew Strickert for Total Titans
LaJuan Ramsey is a big body in the mix for a roster spot in the very competitive defensive tackle rotation.
Photo by Andrew Strickert for Total Titans
Journeyman QB Patrick Ramsey once had a big game against the Titans. A good camp could force the Titans to make a tough decision, whether to keep two or three quarterbacks.
Photo by Andrew Strickert for Total Titans
Mark Jones fields a punt on the Titans’ first day of training camp. Can he replace Chris Carr’s production?
Photo by Andrew Strickert for Total Titans
DeMarcus Faggins is being called upon to bolster the depth at corner.
Photo by Andrew Strickert for Total Titans
OK, Cary Williams isn’t a new guy, but he missed all of last year’s camp with an injury so I’m just posting a camp pic of him now.
Photo by Andrew Strickert for Total Titans
Ditto for Rafael Little.
And finally, here’s a pic of some guy calling himself Pacquiao.
Photo by Andrew Strickert for Total Titans
I hope you’ve enjoyed the pics. I’ll continue to take more throughout training camp and post them here to enhance your reading and make your visits with us more enjoyable. If you wish to use any of the above photos, or any of my others on this site, please credit them appropriately, including a link back to Total Titans.
Note: Please remember to join us as Tom liveblogs the Hall of Fame game Sunday night at 7:00 p.m. CT.
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
