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Titans solidify defense with depth
Posted: Sunday April 18, 1999 09:16 PM
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- Jevon Kearse didn't take long Sunday to remind people exactly why his Florida teammates nicknamed him the "Freak." The Tennessee Titans' top draft pick, seated at a news conference between coach Jeff Fisher and second-round pick John Thornton, stretched out his arms past those men when asked to show off his 86-inch wingspan. Later handed a 12-inch ruler, the 6-foot-4 Kearse opened up his fingers and placed his thumb on one end and his pinkie on the other. General manager Floyd Reese couldn't keep the smile off his face at the thought of the Titans' luck in getting Kearse with the 16th pick overall. "Maybe it's a good omen," he said. Finding Kearse at No. 16 was an unexpected break for a team that will try to end a string of 8-8 records when it debuts in its fourth stadium in four seasons this fall. The Titans used five of their eight draft picks this weekend on boosting a defense that ranked in the top 10 against the rush but tied for next to last with only 30 sacks. They hope get more sacks by drafting Kearse, and West Virginia tackle Thornton in the second round. Kearse, who lined up at both linebacker and end at Florida, is expected to play immediately on a line that had just 13.5 sacks in 1998. "I have a lot to bring to the table playing defensive end full-time," said Kearse. "I can get polished up working on a couple of moves and be more refined playing one position. I think I can be very effective." He was the Southeastern Conference's defensive player of the year last season as a junior with 54 tackles and 7.5 sacks. He has a vertical jump of 40 inches and was timed at 4.39 in the 40 last spring. Offensive lineman Zach Piller, who faced Kearse daily in practice at Florida and was drafted by the Titans in the third round, put it another way. "There's a reason they call him the 'Freak' at Florida. I'm sure the whole state of Tennessee will see that," he said. The Titans tried to add secondary depth with free safety Brad Ware (114) and cornerback Donald Mitchell (117) in the fourth round Sunday. They finished by drafting quarterback Kevin Daft of California-Davis in the fifth, kick returner Darran Hall in the sixth and Utah linebacker Phil Glover in the seventh. Piller is expected to compete for a guard spot after playing tackle at Florida. With the loss of center Mark Stepnoski and guard Erik Norgard to free agency, the Titans hope to resign and move 17-year veteran Bruce Matthews from left guard to center. The Titans were happy to find Daft available in the fifth round (151). He impressed scouts with his MVP performances at the Blue-Gray and Hula bowls, and he will compete with Steve Mathews to back up Steve McNair. "This doesn't rule out still bringing in a veteran quarterback," said Fisher. "This is an opportunity for us and Kevin." For a franchise that hasn't returned a kick for a touchdown in 10 years or a punt for a TD in four, finding a returner is a top priority. The Titans likely will bring in a couple more people for training camp, but they hope Hall can provide the spark with his 4.45 speed in the 40. "With the ball in his hands, he's got the potential to go the distance and we'll find out," Fisher said. If Glover is fully recovered from an ankle injury that needed surgery last fall, the Titans may have gotten a steal. Glover was a Butkus Award finalist as a junior when he had 90 tackles.
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