National Football League

Changes all around for Titans on linebacker unit

Published Aug. 20, 2010 5:03 p.m. ET

foxsports

No unit on the Tennessee Titans has seen more changes, or gone through more turmoil, than the linebacking corps this year.

And the changes aren't over yet.

One starter from last year is now with the New York Giants. Another is recovering from shoulder surgery and a hip problem and still on the physically unable to perform list. There's the new veteran starter, learning the nuances of the Titans' defense, and a potential starter who will be sitting out the first four games under a league suspension.

Despite the turnover, Middle linebacker Stephen Tulloch - the one sure returning starter - sees a strong unit filled with fast, athletic players.

''Once they pick it up mentally, this linebacking corps can be something special,'' he said.

One thing's certain. It will be very different from last season when the Titans ranked 28th in yards allowed per game, including next to last in yards passing per game.

Outside linebacker Keith Bulluck started 127 straight games during his 10 years here before tearing his left ACL. His contract was up, and both he and the Titans disagree over whether the team that drafted him in the first round in 2000 over how much interest they ever had in bringing him back.

Gerald McRath said a player like Bulluck can never be replaced.

''He has made his mark in this community and on this team and in this organization. Take away his leadership and his traits and the way that he played the game and hope to live by the standards that he set. You can only hope to push better and create your own identity. Be the best person that you can be,'' McRath said.

Bulluck signed with the Giants late last month, and his locker finally was given to Will Witherspoon. He's a veteran going into his ninth NFL season after spending last year with St. Louis and Philadelphia. He sees a hard-working group of linebackers.

''Everybody's always on the same page, and we communicate well no matter if you have a question about what you should do, what you shouldn't do, how you see something? We spend a lot of time in our meeting room ... just trying to get the little details together,'' Witherspoon said.

Thornton said in June he expected to be ready sometime during training camp. Well, the Titans wrap up camp Aug. 26, and Thornton is doing more without being cleared yet to join the active roster. Last season ended early for him, and he had surgery to repair a shoulder and pectoral problem.

He is a key veteran for this defense. But Thornton's due $4.35 million this season, which might make him too expensive to keep considering McRath appears ready to start in his spot. The Titans' biggest problem there, however, is McRath must sit the first four games after dropping his appeal for violating the NFL policy on performance enhancing substances.

''With Gerald's situation if Dave's not ready, it's going to be different,'' coach Jeff Fisher said Friday of his linebacking group.

Fisher called the suspension difficult for both McRath and the Titans. They have been working McRath both with the first-team defense and the backups through camp to make sure other potential starters like Colin Allred and Jamie Winborn get enough work as well before McRath rejoins the team Oct. 5.

''Based on the type of worker he is, I don't anticipate having any problems,'' Fisher said.

Then there's Tulloch, the team's leading tackler in 2009.

He worked out on his own in Miami, including trying to sharpen the pass coverage skills that had been seen as an area for improvement. He wanted a long-term deal going into his fifth season, but the final year of the league's labor agreement allowed the Titans to give him a one-year tender at $2.52 million.

Tulloch has refused to dwell on the business side, determined to earn that new contract with his play this season. He arrived on time for camp and said he expects great things this season.

If the linebackers needed added incentive, Fisher wrote the defense's stats on the board at the start of training camp.

''It was sickening to see where we finished last season. Our run defense was top 10 but our pass defense wasn't where it needed to be,'' Tulloch said. ''As linebackers and a unit, we have to work on the small things to get our defense where it needs to be. We've got to carry our weight, and this team could be something special.''

Notes: CB Ryan Mouton (groin) returned to practice Friday after sitting out the last four days. ... WR Justin Gage (thumb) sat out again along with CB Cortland Finnegan (groin). CB Tye Hill, who left early Thursday, was back on the field and had an interception. DE Jacob Ford didn't finish and had ice wrapped on the back of his right leg for soreness.