Cam Ward and Jeffery Simmons lead a ranking built around roster context, uncertainty and who the Tennessee Titans most need to deliver.
By PAUL KUHARSKY
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Training camp opens with Mike Borgonzi and Robert Saleh talking Tuesday and the team hitting the field Wednesday.
As we prepare, here is my list of the 30 most important Titans heading into it all.
This isn't a ranking of the Titans' 30 best players, nor is it simply a list weighted toward the most important positions. It's a contextual look at how the roster is built, where the biggest variables are and who needs to play well for the team to have its best chance of success.
1) QB Cam Ward – As goes the quarterback, so goes the team. The Titans have hired a coordinator in Brian Daboll who loved Ward coming out of the draft, improved his weapons and are working on his line. He needs to improve his accuracy and consistency for the team to make a jump.
2) DT Jeffery Simmons – Easily the MVP of last year’s team, he reached new heights and was First Team All Pro. Now, he’s in a new scheme that is even more favorable to him. It will allow him to be more disruptive sooner. Better players on the line also surround him.
3) RT JC Latham – There are questions at two spots on the line and the Titans have settled for an average left tackle in Dan Moore. If Latham is unsteady, that’s a big problem. We’ve seen signs of a mature guy who gets it and a guy who didn’t follow leadership. He’s crucial.
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