Examining the Tennessee Titans' roster.
QUARTERBACKS (3)
If all are healthy, Locker starts and Whitehurst is the game-day backup with Mettenberger not dressed, at least at the beginning.
RUNNING BACKS (5)
Jackie Battle (FB-RB)
Leon Washington (Returner-RB)
Battle beats Collin Mooney because he can carry the ball and is a good special-teamer. Washington could get some touches, but is on the team to return.
WIDE RECEIVERS (5)
Mariani and Preston both making it seems like a long shot to me, but it could happen. I think a receiver who is cut elsewhere at the end of the preseason is signed and on the roster when the season starts.
TIGHT ENDS (3)
Walker has said he expects to play on the line more and Stevens is a blocker. Thompson is at a make-or-break point and could easily lose out to someone emerging or an outsider.
OFFENSIVE LINE (8)
A starting caliber tackle is on the bench (Oher or Lewan) and that means Byron Stingily is less needed than backups for the interior such as Spencer and Olsen.
DEFENSIVE LINE (8)
A big fight here is pending with Lavar Edwards having value and Klug being a question to start in the 3-4. But the Titans are going to have to make tough cuts on the line. Nine defensive linemen on a 3-4 team is too much and won't happen.
LINEBACKERS (9)
McCarthy, Gooden and Moise Fokou could be battling for one spot between them. McCarthy is the best football player if he can stay healthy. Year 2 would be early to give up on a third-rounder in Gooden.
CORNERBACK (5)
The fifth spot could be up for debate, though Campbell is over a shoulder problem he’s had for some time and will be removed from the pressure put on him by former coordinator Jerry Gray, who over-touted him.
SAFETY (4)
Khalid Wooten, a corner who got summer work at safety and could be a versatile guy, might beat Stafford. I was tempted to give fourth safety to a player not on the roster as I did with fifth receiver.
PUNTER (1)
A solid guy who had a bit of an off year in 2013.
KICKER (1)
He has a huge leg but is completely unproven and comes with a risk. The favorite in a competition with undrafted rookie Travis Coons.
LONG SNAPPER (1)
There has not been much chatter about a position player snapping, but it still surprises me a team would dedicate 1/53rd of the roster to the position.