As their draft picks and franchised DT Albert Haynesworth signed, the Titans had to trim their roster from 88 players to 80.
Most of the players released were undrafted rookies or players with mostly practice squad experience, but one significant name appeared among the pre-training camp releases -- DE Bryce Fisher, a seven-year veteran.
Fisher was acquired by the Titans after the opening week of the 2007 season in exchange for a 2008 sixth-round pick, but failed to make much of an impact in Tennessee last season. He played in 10 games and had just nine tackles after starting 16 games for the Seahawks the previous season.
"Bryce can still play in this league, and we just felt as far as what was best for Bryce was to let him go now to give him a chance to catch on someplace," Titans coach Jeff Fisher said.
The other players waived before the start of camp included SS Rocky Schwartz (waived/injured), CB Shirdonya Mitchell, TE Leonard Stephens, LB Jerrell Freeman, WR Jason Rivers, DT Eric Taylor and QB Paul Thompson.
Of those players, Stephens had been on the Titans' practice squad late in 2007, but was last on the depth chart behind five other tight ends heading in to training camp.
--The release of QB Paul Thompson puts Ingle Martin in the driver's seat to be Tennessee's third-string quarterback behind Vince Young and Kerry Collins, though that still might be a practice squad role, as it was last year.
The irony of Thompson's release is that he initially beat out Martin in Green Bay last season when both were vying for the third quarterback job with the Packers in camp last year.
--OT Brock Pasteur made it through one day before he was waived and replaced by OT Brandon Torrey, who had previously been with the New York Giants practice squad.
Pasteur went to all the OTAs, but the coaches felt Torrey was better able to compete in camp on the O-line than Pasteur.
--WR Roydell Williams (ankle) and C/G Fernando Velasco (calf) both started camp on the active PUP list. Williams tied for the team lead with 55 receptions last year, but has been slow to heal from a significant broken ankle suffered in January. Williams has already surrendered his starting spot to Justin McCareins, and the more time he misses, could jeopardize his 53-man roster spot to a host of receivers who are healthy and have the chance to impress new offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger in training camp and preseason. Williams estimated he is currently about "85 percent."
--CB Cary Williams (quad) and RB Rafael Little (knee) start the season on the non-football injury list. Little, who tore his ACL in Senior Bowl workouts, will be transferred to injured reserve eventually.
Williams injured his quad during workouts between the end of OTAs and the start of camp. He should be back soon.
--Two key members of the defense missed the first two practices tending to personal matters in camp. LB David Thornton was out because he served as best man at his brother's wedding on July 26, and DE Jevon Kearse missed two days attending the funeral of Samari Rolle's father. Kearse and Rolle, a former Titan, have remained good friends over the years since playing together as young players in Tennessee.
Stephen Tulloch, mostly a middle linebacker his first two years, played Thornton's outside spot, while Sean Conover, Jacob Ford, William Hayes and Dave Ball all got extra reps in Kearse's absence.
BATTLE OF THE WEEK
Justin Gage and Justin McCareins thus far are the starting receivers, but there appears to be a good battle brewing to see who will be the slot receiver. Biren Ealy held the job through the end of OTAs and the first training camp practice. But veteran Brandon Jones got work as the first-team slot receiver on Saturday. It is not farfetched to think that rookie Lavelle Hawkins or perhaps even Mike Williams or Chris Davis might get a look before camp is over. But for now, Ealy and Jones are battling for the slot.
OTHER BATTLE FRONTS
The Titans say there is competition at left guard between Eugene Amano and Leroy Harris, but early in camp, Amano has taken all the first-team reps thus far, and apparently will remain there through the first full padded practice on Tuesday afternoon.
PLAYER OF THE WEEK
CB Cortland Finnegan -- He emerged as a starter last year, and continues to get better through the early part of camp. Two practices in a row, hustle plays from Finnegan got him noticed as he stripped TE Jamie Petrowski on a seven-on-seven goal-line play July 25 and LenDale White in the open field on team drills Saturday.
ROOKIE REPORT
First-round RB Chris Johnson showed shiftiness in his first practice Saturday after missing July 25 work because of contract issues. ... Second-round DT Jason Jones and fourth-round DE William Hayes continue to flash on the defensive front and should only get better once the pads go on. ... Third-round TE Craig Stevens has been quiet early on, while fourth-round WR Lavelle Hawkins is one to keep an eye on. ... LB Stanford Keglar is going through the learning process both on special teams and defense early on, while seventh-round DB Cary Williams is out with a quad injury. Of the undrafteds, DT Barry Booker has a chance if he can have a strong camp and preseason.
INJURY REPORT
P Craig Hentrich was slowed Saturday by a sore glute.
DB Cary Williams (quad) is on the non-football injury list and was out at least a week.
RB Rafael Little (knee) is on the non-football injury last and will be placed on injured reserve eventually.
WR Roydell Williams (ankle) is on the active PUP list and has been out since January and his return is still not certain.
G/C Fernando Velasco (calf) has been out since OTAs and will miss more time.
SS Tony Joiner (ankle) missed some time the first day, but returned to practice.
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