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2010 Offensive Line Analysis - Tennessee Titans

2010 Projected Starters:
Left Tackle: Michael Roos
Left Guard: Leroy Harris
Center: Eugene Amano
Right Guard: Jake Scott
Right Tackle: David Stewart

2009 Injuries:
T David Stewart: Week 9

2009 Statistics:

Overview:
The Tennessee Titans started off very slow last season but bounced back in the second half of the year and finished the year at 8-8. One aspect of their game that was consistently good all year long as their offensive line. Their line was the best in run blocking by allowing Chris Johnson to rush for over 2,000 yards and it was also amongst the best in pass protection with only 15 sacks allowed.

The 6’7” and 315 lbs Michael Roos will anchor the left tackle position for the sixth consecutive season. Since being drafted, Roos has not missed a single start at tackle playing both on the left and right side in his first five seasons but the left tackle position is definitely his now. His excellent mobility and footwork make him one of the elite pass protecting tackles in the NFL. He used to be known as an average run blocker but he improved that aspect of his game in the past few years. Roos is underrated around the league because he is not the most explosive lineman but his pass protecting abilities definitely make him one of the best tackles in the league. Starting on the right side is another good tackle in David Stewart. Stewart has a very similar frame at 6’7” and 320 lbs and has started every game but one at right tackle in the past three seasons. He is a much better fit on the right side because he does not have great lateral mobility but he is very strong and intense. Stewart is definitely a very good run blocker but remains average at best in pass protection. Although he will never be a Pro Bowl caliber tackle, he will continue to improve and will be a good tackle in this league for several more years. The top backup at tackle should be 2009 fourth round pick Troy Kropog. Kropog has quick feet and pretty good technique in pass protection but despite his 6’5” and 310 lbs frame, he needs to get stronger to be effective in the NFL. Michael Otto, seventh round pick in 2007, adds depth at the tackle position.

Moving into the starting job at left guard will be the Titans fourth round pick in the 2007 NFL Draft, Leroy Harris. Harris has started only three regular season games and one playoff game in the past three years and wasn’t particularly impressive. To give him the benefit of the doubt, those four games were at three different positions and it will help him tremendously to be given the starting job at left guard and to focus on that. He is tough and hard-working but has very little mobility so will have trouble pulling to the outside. Overall we expect him to be a below average starting guard this season but he has so much talent around him that it shouldn’t be a problem and he should improve throughout the year. Jake Scott will be the starting right guard for a third consecutive year. Scott has not missed a game in three seasons for the Colts and started all 32 with the Titans in the past two years. He is excellent in pass protection because of his footwork and technique but is not very strong at 6’5” and only 295 lbs so his run blocking is slightly below average. Scott struggled in pass protection for the first couple of games last year but bounced back and was very solid for the rest of the year. His great intensity makes up in part for his lack of strength and also allows him to pull to the outside to block. Scott is a very smart and dependable player who will make few mistakes and is an above average NFL guard. Second year players Ryan Durand and Fernando Velasco provide depth at guard.

The Tennessee Titans have decided to make a change at center and have chosen not to resign the 39-year old Kevin Mawae. Eugene Amano will now move to center after starting all but one game in the past two years at left guard. He somewhat struggled in his first year as a starter in 2008 but played much better in 2009. It remains to be seen how he will adjust to the center position but the Titans certainly believe in him because they signed him to a five-year deal in February.

2010 Outlook:
The Titans offensive line isn’t the most talented but they seem to work very well as a unit. The loss of Kevin Mawae could hurt, but at 39-years old, he was starting to get overpowered too often up the middle. The Titans probably figure that their line might not be as good as it was last year but it was a move they had to make if they want Leroy Harris to develop at guard and Eugene Amano to develop as a center. The one area where the Titans might struggle is in terms of depth. Their four backups: Kropog, Otto, Durand and Velasco have been dressed for a total of 17 NFL games and none of them has started a single game. The good news however is that Scott and Roos have not missed a start in five years, Stewart has only missed three in four years and Amano one in two years. Overall, this line could see a small drop early in the year because of the loss of Mawae but should be just as good in the second half of the year. They will be in big trouble however if one of their starting linemen goes down with an injury.

See all of our 2010 Offensive Line Analysis Articles