As we approach the 2008 season, the Titans’ offensive line is pleasantly symmetrical and sensibly constructed. Two young bookends at the tackle positions, on the outside of players of intermediate age, both of them new to the Titans as full-time starters, and, in the middle, the fulcrum of the line.
Yes, as with the quarterbacks, we have an excellent idea of who will start at center for the Titans. That’s Kevin Mawae, entering his third season with the team. Bring in to be a stabilizing presence and unpleasant to opposing players (contra Andrew’s offseason previews, Mawae does clearly have a mean streak-see tapes of the Pats game from 06 and the Chargers regular season game last year), he’s lived up to his expectations.
Unfortunately, Mawae is at the age where you can’t assume he’ll be there the entire season. He missed three games last year, including the playoff game against the Chargers. Eugene Amano stepped in, and performed admirably. As noted, though, he’s in line to as the likely starter at left guard.
That leaves Leroy Harris as Mawae’s likely replacement. As Andrew noted in the offseason preview, he was a little bit of a surprise selection, given Amano’s presence on the team and Eugene’s previously-demonstrated lack of excellent at guard (albeit at the more difficult right guard spot).
As with most seasons, there are a whole passel of linemen in camp-some of them true centers, others, like Amano, listed at both center and guard.
Jason Murphy may have the best shot at making the team. He was signed late last season to the practice squad, after previous stints on the Chargers’ and Seahawks’ offseason roster. He spent his college years at Virginia Tech, where he started off at defensive tackle before switching to the other side of the ball.
The other true center is former Kentucky Wildcat Eric Scott. Like Murphy, he switched positions-starting at TE, and then defensive end, before moving to center. His team bio notes he handled the offensive line calls and shotgun snaps, which is more than I can say for Mawae last year.
Both Enoka Lucas and Fernando Velasco are listed at center/guard and more likely to stick at the other position, as the Titans only have two straight guards listed on the official roster. See the guard preview for more on them.
Bottom line: with Mawae now and Amano and Harris around as potential replacements, the Titans should be set in the middle of this offensive line for 2008 and likely years to come.
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