Professor

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White ready to learn Chow's offense again

Running back LenDale White was the last of the Titans' 33 rookies to take the field for Friday's rookie orientation practice at Baptist Sports Park.

He held a practice script, not a football. Still dealing with a hamstring injury, the team's second-round pick will most likely be out of action until June minicamps.


He at least has some familiarity with Norm Chow's offense from their time together at USC.

"It helps a lot," White said. "Coming in, I didn't really know if I would know the offense that well. Now just going through it and looking over everything, it seems like the stuff I've been running the last three years.

"It's just a little different terminology. But I've been picking up on it real easy and I feel comfortable about it. I wouldn't say it's like riding a bike, but it's close."

As for his weight, which was believed to be an issue for some of the teams that let him slip to the 45th pick overall, White said the Titans had not yet given him a number.

"Coach (Jeff) Fisher told me I played in the Rose Bowl at 250 and I did great, so I guess whatever I can produce at and feel best at and can stay healthy at is where I can play," White said. "Now I'm down to 239 and I feel good at this weight.

"I think in my career, every game I played I didn't feel my best until that Texas game, and that's when I was the heaviest."

Fisher said he's "quite confident" White will be ready to go when the Titans hold minicamp the week of June 12.

Seventh-round pick Quinton Ganther from Utah and undrafted Lamont Reid from Western Carolina worked out at running back.

Fisher on McNair: Fisher said he still holds out hope that the Titans will find a way to keep quarterback Steve McNair.

The Titans told McNair on April 3 he couldn't work out at Baptist Sports Park until his contract issues were sorted out. Last Sunday they allowed the Ravens to negotiate with McNair, then turned down Baltimore's trade offer of a fifth-round pick.

An NFL Players Association grievance filed against the Titans on McNair's behalf will be heard May 16.

"I think Baltimore's window came and left over the weekend," Fisher said. "As far as we're concerned, I think the next step is to try to get communicating with him and see if we can work something out. ... If we want to win, he gives us the best chance to win early. It makes all kinds of sense to me."

With the Titans drafting quarterback Vince Young and McNair's status up in the air, Fisher was asked if things would be awkward in the locker room.

"Nothing about this situation is easy," he said. "It is awkward. We try to keep it in perspective and such that it is the business side of it. It is difficult, and I think anyone who's been in the business understands that. But it is awkward. It's awkward being on the field without him here, No 1.

"I can't compliment him more about the manner in which he's handled this. He's been very professional, he's been quiet, he trusts that things are going to work out for the best."

Coach to coach: As the Broncos zeroed in on former Vanderbilt quarterback Jay Cutler during the draft, Denver Coach Mike Shanahan called his old buddy Fisher to ask for advice.

The Titans drafted Young at No. 3, then USC's Matt Leinart went to the Cardinals at No. 10. The Broncos moved up to No. 11 to snag Cutler.

"Jeff thought the world of him," Shanahan said. "Obviously, I liked what I saw on film. He can make all the throws, and I liked the way he handled himself and I liked the way he played.

"Jeff had a chance to spend a lot of time with him right there in the same city and didn't feel like he had any flaws. Jeff and I have been close through the years, and I didn't have to give something away, so that's always nice."

Family tie: Fisher was asked if he got an in-house recommendation on Brad Rhoades, an undrafted tackle from Montana.

Fisher's son, Brandon, had his freshman season at Montana cut short by a broken ankle.

"My son has no interest in becoming a scout," the coach said. "(Rhoades) was on our board, he had a good grade from our area scout, we needed tackles and it worked out."

Rhoades said he didn't know Brandon Fisher too well at Montana but they once hunted together.

"It's real fun to come down here and meet his dad," he said. "It's kind of nice to have a connection to your home place and to here."

Caravan stops: The final week of the Titans Caravan begins Wednesday with defensive tackle Rien Long and defensive end Bo Schobel visiting schools in Watertown, Gordonsville and Smithville before signing autographs for fans in McMinnville.

Long and Schobel will join receiver Tyrone Calico and fullback Troy Fleming on Wednesday night for the Chattanooga stop at Truck and Trailers USA.

On Thursday Fleming heads to Knoxville and Johnson City. On Friday the caravan ends with defensive tackle Jared Clauss and linebacker David Thornton visiting fans in Crossville (Lowe's) and Cookeville (Jewelry Emporium).

No injuries: Fisher said there were no muscle pulls or injuries during Friday's practice.

"They are nowhere in any shape, comparatively speaking, to the veterans who've been working here every day," Fisher said. "That's why we bring them in, to see where they are.

"Then we'll set them free and they are going to have to work to get caught up. It will probably take us a good three or four weeks to get them caught up to where the vets are."

Wrap: Rookie orientation includes another practice today that's not open to the media and then concludes tonight.

The rookies return to Nashville the evening of May 15 and are scheduled to be on the field again May 16 with the veterans.