Professor

Titans' No. 1 pick likely staying at cornerback

Griffin's switch still on despite addition of veteran player

By PAUL KUHARSKY
Staff Writer

The signing of veteran cornerback Kelly Herndon does not signal a move back to safety for first-round draft pick Michael Griffin, Titans General Manager Mike Reinfeldt said Monday.

"He's still a cornerback," Reinfeldt said. "He's done a good job so far and we'll continue to look at him there."


Reinfeldt, Titans pro personnel director Lake Dawson and Herndon all know each other from their former jobs with the Seattle Seahawks.

The Titans weren't necessarily looking for a cornerback, but Reinfeldt said when his former employer released Herndon it made sense for the Titans to add him.

"He's a competitive player, he plays hard all the time, he can line up and play the outside spot," Reinfeldt said. "Actually we brought him in more to play the slot corner, but he does both well. He gives us flexibility and depth and he's done it."

If Herndon becomes the team's fifth defensive back, he would bump second-year man Cortland Finnegan from the nickelback job. But Finnegan and Herndon could challenge Reynaldo Hill for a starting spot.

After adding veterans Nick Harper and Herndon as free agents and drafting Griffin and Ryan Smith, the Titans have a lot of options at cornerback.

Pacman Jones is slated to miss the entire season to a suspension, though he could be reinstated after 10 games and is currently awaiting a ruling on his appeal.

"We have a number of players that all have unique skills and abilities and maybe in some combination really makes the group work and gives us a better chance to replace what we lost," Reinfeldt said.

Herndon broke his left ankle in Seattle's regular season finale.

Reinfeldt said Herndon is fully healed but is not yet in football shape. Reinfeldt expects Herndon to participate in a limited fashion in the final minicamp next week and be ready for training camp in late July.

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J-Unit

I read this article today in the paper. I think once Jones is back, he has to move back to S.

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University of Tennessee Lady Vols 2007 National Champions

Professor

it could also be the old game of say a bunch of crap that never really comes true or means anything in the first place

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gruntbygod

I could see him bieng a Nickel "knock the crap out of the slot WR at the line" type CB. I remeber Dallas used Darren Woodson like that as a rookie before he became a starter.

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bigboy

That's if Jones ever makes it back...

I think its a good move, he has the versitility and should be a solid CB although I do think he's a better safety.

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Dawardoe

I think that should keep him at corner after Pacman is back. If this happens then I think their biggest need would be WR and then RB.

Serrated Shadow

Well, let's not be too confident about the yellow circle returning. I'm afraid the blue ghosts got him.

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Dawardoe

Hahaha, yea that deserves to be quoted lol.

Professor

Pacman was so talented, I watched so many titan's games on replay and he is so good, too bad he effed that all up.

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J-Unit

He really progressed this year as a corner, his presence will be badly missed.

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University of Tennessee Lady Vols 2007 National Champions