Posted on: Saturday, May 1, 2004

LaBoy, other rookies have big shoes to fill

By Teresa M. Walker
Associated Press

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Travis LaBoy settled into Jevon Kearse's old locker yesterday afternoon to slip his shoes off. Tackle Randy Starks, who wanted No. 90 from the moment he was drafted, looked comfortable in The Freak's old jersey.

If the Titans needed any reminder that times have changed on the defensive line because of free agency, they only needed to glance around during their rookie orientation yesterday.

Kearse is in Philadelphia and tackle Robaire Smith is in Houston, both enjoying big contracts the Titans wouldn't give them. The Titans moved forward by reassigning their spots in the locker room and putting new names on their jerseys.

Now they hope they fill the empty spots on the field just as quickly.

Defensive line coach Jim Washburn spent most of a 90-minute session with eight rookies, including five selected through the draft and three signed as free agents.

"He's not slept since the draft," Titans coach Jeff Fisher joked of Washburn. "He's very, very excited. He's got a good group to work with."

The Titans used four of their first six draft picks on the defensive line last weekend, grabbing LaBoy, an end from Hawai'i, and Alabama end Antwan Odom in the second round.

Asked about the pressure of taking Kearse's locker, LaBoy laughed.

"There's pressure yeah. I put so much pressure on myself it's nothing new. I want to come out and do my best and contribute as soon as I can," he said. "Hopefully, I can do that."