Professor

http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs....707270396/1027

excerpt:

Coaches often cringe when asked about potential.

"Everybody always says potential is a dirty word, because potential means that a player hasn't done it before," Titans defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz said. "It means that it's never come together."

For the 2007 Titans who kick off training camp today with a 3:30 p.m. practice, there is no avoiding the P word.

At three key spots — receiver, defensive end and running back — the team has options that have yet to emerge as the players the Titans envisioned when they were drafted.

And for Tennessee to have success and build on last year's 8-8 record, it will need one or more players at those spots and a few others to simultaneously graduate into full-time, dependable contributors.

"There are a number of players that we are counting on," Coach Jeff Fisher said, "but fortunately in those positions, there is depth and competition."

Fisher pointed to former Titans receiver Derrick Mason as an example of what the Titans expect to happen.

"Derrick Mason in his first three years averaged 10 catches," Fisher said. "The next year he had 63 catches, and the year after that he set an all-time record for all-purpose yards."

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