Posted on: Tuesday, August 3, 2004
LaBoy finds learning curve tough
By Teresa M. Walker
Associated Press
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Tennessee Titans' young defensive linemen who looked so promising in shirts and shorts now are facing the steep learning curve of training camp where they wear pads, the tempo's faster and the pressure increases daily.
Coach Jeff Fisher let his linemen put on pads Sunday morning. End Travis LaBoy, a second-round pick out of Hawai'i, had a quick lesson from eight-year veteran right tackle Fred Miller.
"You learn how to pick the grass out of your face mask, you know?" LaBoy said. "It's an experience. It's some unbelievable talent over there. You just have to chip away every day."
How much the young linemen may be able to contribute may not be known until the preseason ends with the final exhibition on Sept. 2 against Green Bay.
"I'm feeling uncomfortable, to tell you the truth," LaBoy said. "You put on the pads, it's a whole different game. You've got to take it into account. It changes everything, and you have to relearn everything all over again."
That is why defensive line coach Jim Washburn is busy teaching his seven rookie linemen, trying not to overload them. Forget learning an array of pass rush moves.
"That's a common mistake — trying to do too much," Washburn said yesterday. "We just want to find two or three things they can do. Antwan can't master maybe the same moves as Travis LaBoy can. We're just trying to find out what they're best at and help them develop their own pass rush game."
The Titans won't lose anything in the middle because nine-year veteran Kevin Carter has slid into Robaire Smith's left tackle slot with Juqua Thomas taking over at left end. Carlos Hall, a seventh-round pick heading into his third season, now is in Kearse's former right end position.
The Titans hope LaBoy can push Thomas, a three-year veteran with five sacks in 31 career games.
They would be happy to see Antwan Odom, the 57th overall pick out of Alabama, challenge Hall. Randy Starks, a third-round pick who is the youngest player on the roster at age 20, and Rien Long must develop to provide Carter and Albert Haynesworth some rest in their line rotation.
At least the youth movement has help — the offensive line.
Left tackle Brad Hopkins is heading into his 12th season and has more starts (162) than any other offensive lineman in franchise history except now-retired Bruce Matthews (292). He is coming off his second Pro Bowl appearance of his career.
Right guard Benji Olson has not missed a start over the past five seasons, while Zach Piller has been the starting left guard since late in the 2001 season. Miller's own personal start streak of 86 straight games dates back to the 1998 season, when he was with St. Louis.
The Titans need to improve their pass rush. They had 38 sacks in 2003, including 9ý from Kearse, and tied for ninth in the NFL. Hall, who had eight sacks in his rookie season in 2001, is optimistic they'll get what they need.
"We have a lot of days of camp, and it's still early. Right now they're learning, and they're coming along," he said.
