The Titans addressed their two most pressing needs in the offseason with the signings of DE Kamerion Wimbley from Oakland and LG Steve Hutchinson from Minnesota.
In 2011, the Titans ranked 31st in sacks per pass attempt and 27th on yards per carry behind the left tackle, according to NFLGSIS.com. Tennessee also ranked 26th on yards per rush up the middle.
Wimbley possesses the best dip and rip move in the league, in defensive assistant/pass rush specialist Keith Millard's estimations. Wimbley is adjusting to becoming a three-down lineman after spending a good portion of his career at outside linebacker.
Hutchinson and left tackle Michael Roos, meanwhile, have formed an instant rapport in training camp. Roos has taken Hutchinson under his wing to explain the slight nuances in the Titans' zone blocking scheme. Hutchinson says the system is the purest zone scheme he's appeared in during his 12-year career. In Minnesota, the seven-time Pro Bowl lineman played in a hybrid man/zone blocking scheme.
Other free agents such as defensive lineman Leger Douzable, safety Aaron Francisco and cornerback Terrence Wheatley have made solid contributions over the first week of camp.
DE Kamerion Wimbley: Signed on March 20, Wimbley will be depended upon to revitalize a unit that had trouble pressuring the quarterback last season. Wimbley's teammates say his effortless stride allows him to get into the backfield more quickly than almost any other end in the league. The former Raider is also working with Millard to develop a counter move to the inside off the dip. Wimbley must also learn how to defeat double teams.
LG Steve Hutchinson: Signed on March 15, Hutchinson could bolster an interior line that struggled to open gaps for Chris Johnson in 2011. Hutchinson has been comfortable working with Roos, but is hoping to improve his non-verbal communication with the Pro Bowl left tackle. The loss of center Eugene Amano for the season will provide Hutchinson with another adjustment. Both Fernando Velasco and Kevin Matthews lack Amano's experience.
DL Leger Douzable: Signed on April 4, Douzable has the versatility to play end or tackle. Douzable received six starts for the Jaguars in 2011. The fifth-year lineman has impressed Millard with his length and ability to bat down balls at the line. Douzable is working on fine-tuning a chop-club move that may enable him to get free on both the inside and outside.
S Aaron Francisco: Signed on July 20, Francisco provides depth to a secondary riddled by injury at safety. The six-year veteran played in the Super Bowl for the Cardinals in 2008 and could be used by defensive coordinator Jerry Gray in the Titans' nickel and dime packages. Much like safety Jordan Babineaux, Francisco excels when asked to play in the box.
CB Terrence Wheatley: Signed in mid-December, Wheatley is ostensibly a newcomer to the Titans. The former Patriots' cornerback wasn't activated in a Titans' uniform last season. Wheatley is familiar with a system that requires the corners to make checks on nearly every play to adjust to the pre-snap movements from the offense. The fifth-year veteran has been active in camp and has made several deflections.
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