Titans Position Analysis: MLB

Next up in our series of Titans’ position analyses is MLB.
Due to injuries and steroids accusations, Ryan Fowler’s hold on the starting MLB could be in jeopardy. Talented and athletic Stephen Tulloch, who showed some playmaking ability while Fowler was injured last season, is waiting in the wings.
Let’s take a look at the battle for the coveted man in the middle spot on the Titans’ defense.

Coming off of shoulder surgery, Fowler missed the last few games of the regular season last year, including the playoff loss to the Chargers. To make matters worse, Fowler may be facing an NFL-mandated suspension as a result of the accusations of dead/convicted steroids dealer David Jacobs.
Tulloch is an athletic guy who performed adequately when his opportunity for playing time arose. Stephen is a defender who flies to the football, and his presence in the lineup adds the dimension of speed to the Titan defense.
Behind Fowler and Tulloch is former undrafted free agent Colin Allred. After spending the first thirteen games of 2007 on the Titans’ practice squad, Allred was activated at the end of last year as a result of Fowler’s injury.
Barring a re-emergence of the injury bug, I expect nothing more than special teams’ contributions from Colin in 2008.
The Fowler/Tulloch battle should be one of the more interesting things to watch when training camp begins tomorrow. Fowler’s size is what you expect from a traditional middle linebacker but Tulloch’s speed could be an intriguing fit on the Titans’ defense.
With Fowler’s impending suspension, Tulloch will likely get the opportunity to start at least a few games for the Titans. I could easily envision a scenario where Tulloch takes the starting MLB spot and runs with it.
So audience, what do you think? Should the Titans go with Fowler’s size or Tulloch’s speed at MLB?