McCarthy "about 80 percent" recovered

[luvyablue256]

Lots of players have offseason surguries and come back fine. Lots of them don't get to work out fully. Some are too eager to write McCarthy off as just an injury bust.

All the signs are there. Should we totally ignore the fact that he's been injury prone?

[Bobo]

The team should not ignore it, they should have a backup plan. I guess that guy is Fokue. I've read some over-reactions, people wanting to draft a Mike high, and people just beating it to death as if he should just be written off already. 

[OILERMAN]

Go in with McCarthy penciled in as the MLB, if he can't do it then Fokue starts on run downs 1and maybe Gooden plays in the nickel

[Bobo]

I like the idea of Gooden in for the nickle. Seems like having anothe Zach Brown clone really fits there. McCarthy can sit those plays out and rest up his injuries lol.

Ayers doesn't have an injury history, but maybe looking for his backup should be just as if not more important than McCarthy. We don't have anyone like him to back him up.

[WG53]

I would like to see Brown or Gooden get some reps at SLB in preseason to see if they could hold up there. Along with trying Ayers at MLB just to see if we have the flexibility to do so if need be.

[OILERMAN]

There is no way Brown or Gooden could hold up at SLB, at least not in the traditional Strongside role that Ayers plays. They'd get destroyed trying to seal the edge and take on TEs/OTs.

[Oiler FANatic]

I still hold that the Titans should use McCarthy as a traditional two-down MLB this season. At this point, I just don't believe he can hold up all season the way he plays if he's playing every down.

 

That probably depends on how much they intend to use Ayers at DE and how long it takes for Gooden to become effective enough in the nickel to get some playing time there.

[Frone]

I still hold that the Titans should use McCarthy as a traditional two-down MLB this season. At this point, I just don't believe he can hold up all season the way he plays if he's playing every down.

 

It's another reason I like the Gooden pick -- get a group of athletic nickel LBs and larger safeties (Pollard) that offer flexibility in pass rush. Guys like Gooden and Brown are like having a SS on the field (and Pollard is like having a small LB). I just hope the coaches figure out a 3-DL setup that has some size to occupy blockers so we don't get totally gashed on the run out of the nickel/dime.

 

Maybe this is the plan:

DE: Harris (6'4" | 310)

NT: Hill (6'4" | 329)

DE: Johnson (6'3" | 310)

 

Brown, Gooden, and Pollard should be able to contain the edges and/or second level.

[Oiler FANatic]

Despite his size, Sammie Lee Hill is not going to be our NT, Casey will remain there and Hill will play the 3T. Harris and Mookie are strictly depth and there's a good chance neither of them even make the team.

[Bobo]

Unless my memory is off, I remember Marks being the primary NT last year, although I do remember Casey lining up there. I think Gray talked about using Marks there, and I thought it wasn't a very good personnel fit. I think Hill is brought in to play more or a NT role.

[kyle021]

No way Gooden can play SLB

 

He is strictly a WLB

I would like to see Brown or Gooden get some reps at SLB in preseason to see if they could hold up there. Along with trying Ayers at MLB just to see if we have the flexibility to do so if need be.

[WG53]

No way Gooden can play SLB

He is strictly a WLB

You don't know that. We don't know unless it is tried. You cannot just assume based on his weight. His film shows a good block shedder.

I wasn't talking about him as our starter. I was talking getting reps in preseason to see how he would do in case we get a few injuries through the year.

[gatordude731]

Wonder if Gooden will take any snaps at MLB?

[OILERMAN]

After the draft Webster/Munchak said Zack Brown wouldn't be healed from surgery and 100% until the start of training camp, they also had no one who could back-up Brown at WLB. It's entirely possible Gooden was drafted as nothing more than depth. Tom wrote about how the Titans drafted a back-up very high because they have to win this season and can't afford to not have a good back-up in that role.

[OILERMAN]

That might be true but seriously.  If Gooden has to start week one we are probably not in a good situation.  Gooden might become a decent Will and nickel backer but I'm not sure how effective he can be right out of the gate. 

 

Didn't stop you last year from throwing Brown in my face after a few weeks and saying he was pretty much a bust