Titans' Rookie: Dinner or Ipads?
By Terry McCormick
August 9, 2010
Titans top draft pick Derrick Morgan is going a different route in his rookie hazing than most first-year players.
It has long been a tradition that a team's top draft pick is usually exploited by veteran teammates in his position group by footing the bill for an expensive dinner for each member at that position.
But Morgan, who signed a six-year deal worth a reported $19 million, was given another option in lieu of a four-digit restaurant tab.
IPads
Morgan says that instead of the expensive night out with his defensive linemates, in which he could be really taken advantage of with the dinner check that he will buy iPads for each player in the defensive line room
�They're kind of laying out some options, and some guidelines of what they want � either dinner or iPads,� Morgan said. �I've got to buy about nine, but at least I've got that under control. If we go out to dinner, it can get out of control. I think the iPads are safer.�
Morgan's major concern, other than the iPads, is getting past a lingering calf injury that reared up the first day of camp. Morgan had been bothered by the calf throughout a portion of OTAs as well, and he re-aggravated it after only a couple of plays in training camp.
�He's day to day, but he's not going to be back the next couple of days,� Fisher said.
However, Morgan his sights set on returning to practice in the not too distant future, perhaps as early as next week.
�We're just kind of taking it day-by-day, kind of re-evaluating it every day,� Morgan said. �It's feeling better now than it did last week. I'm a week out now. I'm getting another PRP [platelet rich plasma] shot tomorrow, so hopefully, I can be back by next week.�
In the meantime, he could be spending some time shopping at the Apple store.
Injuries
--Cornerback Cortland Finnegan sat out another day to rest with soreness in his hamstring and quadriceps. Finnegan's absence at least allows the Titans to get longer looks at their other three corners � Jason McCourty, Ryan Mouton and Alterraun Verner � in camp.
--Cornerback Tye Hill was well enough to do individual work after suffering a recurrence of a hamstring injury the first day of camp on July 31. Hill has fallen behind McCourty, Mouton and Verner in the race to start opposite Finnegan.
�It's very frustrating. Words can't even explain how frustrating it is. I definitely want to be out there week one and day one,� Hill said. �I want to be out there competing, and not being able to compete is frustrating. But the coaches have got a good sense of what I can do. I missed the last week and a half of OTAs. I just need to get out there and get reps and get comfortable and get out there playing. That's pretty much it.
--Defensive end Jacob Ford was held out a second day of practice with a sore hip, but Fisher said he expects Ford, who was starting at right end, to be a go Saturday night in Seattle.
--Rookie receiver Damian Williams and safety Nick Schommer are both close to returning from the PUP list, as they battle hamstring injuries.
--Linebacker David Thornton, on PUP and rehabbing shoulder and hip injuries, did some work on the blocking sleds and rehab work, a positive sign, but has not been cleared for contact.
Getting better
--Vince Young's improvement in his knowledge of the Titans offense is getting more evident in this camp. While Young still makes the occasional error, one notice of his progress came in Monday's practice when he quickly noticed a blitzing Will Witherspoon, and found hot read Bo Scaife with a nicely timed pass.
--Kenny Britt has had his ups and downs in camp, but Monday was a good day, especially as he hauled in a deep pass in perfect stride from Young.
Rookie battle
Cornerback Alterraun Verner continues to make his case for the open starting cornerback slot. In seven-on-seven drills, Verner lit up tight end Sean Ryan who took a pass in the flat, causing the veteran to drop the football.