The former Titans scouting director saw encouraging signs around Ward in the preseason opener, but believes the quarterback is still trying to do too much.
By BLAKE BEDDINGFIELD, special correspondent
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Preseason is a true window into what your team will look like during the regular season. It isn’t about wins or losses or even team or unit success. It does show NFL front offices and coaches the strength of your depth as a roster and in particular the positional depth and playmaker potential.
I am a believer in the views of your team in preseason games but preseason Game One with a new coaching staff is not a reason to get too excited or concerned. Preseason will be judged based on the month of practice and the three games played as a whole to determine what your team will look like for the regular season's 18 weeks.
Four new starters on offense and seven new starters on defense take time for groups to gel and work together, but individual talent can be determined. Personnel and schematic changes to the defense showed up in a positive way against the 49ers on Thursday night.
Moving to a four-man front with the added personnel in Jermaine Johnson and Keldrick Faulk, combined with second-year man Femi Oladejo, will make this group a strength of the team. The ability to affect the run game from a defensive line perspective will be stronger this season.
