1999 Ad

--Clare Farnsworth

CAMP FACTS

Where: Eastern Washington University; Cheney, Wash.

Rookies report: July 29

Veterans report: July 30

Tennessee

CAMP PHILOSOPHY: Fights are discouraged bemuse they're just another way to get hurt, but coach Jeff Fisher believes in heavy contact during morning practices (with players in full gear) and lighter contact in most afternoon workouts. Veterans are respected and often go to off-field conditioning work during occasional afternoon practices that cover special teams. But overall, Fisher is no-nonsense and expects players to keep up.

PRESEASON PRIORITY: Air it out--RB Eddie George needs room to run. That doesn't mean chucking a run-first philosophy that is a proven winner in the league almost every season. What it means is throw the ball down the field and stretch the defense. H-back Frank Wycheck is a tremendous player, but if he leads the team in receptions again, the Titans will not have fulfilled their promise to add the deep ball to their game plan.

KEY COMPETITION: The offense is rightly built around the run, and it will need quality play at guard to be able to do that. Bruce Matthews has moved to center, and it is his vacated left guard spot where the most competition will come. Jason Layman, the starter at fight guard last season, was projected to be the starter but lost his spot in minicamp when he missed time because of a foot injury. Scott Sanderson, a converted tackle, was working with the starting unit when minicamp ended. He likely will have the edge when training camp opens.

KEEP AN EYE ON: Much of the offseason review has been devoted to the offense. The passing game has received significant attention, in large part because by season's end it had become primarily a succession of dump-off passes to Wycheck or Jackie Harris. There has been a great deal of effort to add some originality in the pass routes and to stress discipline in the running of the routes by the receivers.... QB Steve McNair will be allowed to go downfield more. He has been taught so much to be safe with the ball, he often looks off the deepest receiver before the receiver has cleared. The offense will be more wide open, with the hope that George will find more room to run because of the adjustments defenses have to make to play more longer passes.... FB Lorenzo Neal was signed to give George somebody to run behind and give the team its first traditional two-back look since before the run-and-shoot years. That means the offense will need a little change of heart to use Neal as much as it should. Coaches have said 25 plays a game will be the guideline for Neal's use. It should be more, but that's a good start.... This should be CB Samari Rolle's breakout season. The second-year player has had a tremendous offseason and figures to work his way into the starting lineup before long.... Look for first-round pick Jevon Kearse to be freed up to rush the passer, and expect him to make the transition from linebacker to defensive end fairly smoothly. He did things in non-contact drills during minicamps that caused jaws to drop. He'll have some impact once he learns to harness the incredible physical gifts he has at a position he has never been asked to play. The challenge will come against the run, especially plays fight at him, where his speed can't make up the difference. He will have to learn to shed blocks by far bigger players. The signings of free-agent DTs Jason Fisk and Mike Jones will help that cause. Though not heralded, the two work hard and play with passion, which will rub off on the rest of the team.