So much for my prediction that he would be a starter this season.  Williams had been saying all the right things this entire offseason, and he showed up to the OTAs down about 30 pounds.  I don't know this, but I would suspect there has to be some type of off the field issue that contributed to this because of the timing.  From all accounts his performance has been inconsistent, but inconsistent performance alone typically doesn't get a player released this early in camp.

Former New York Jets receiver Chris Davis will take Williams' spot on the roster.  That could get confusing.

You better gobble this up because this is going to be the last on the field football news for about a month.  Jim Wyatt has his practice observations from the final OTA up.

Here is some fantastic news:

Quarterback Vince Young went out with a bang during the team's last practice until training camp, and was praised by head coach Jeff Fisher for his work.            

            “Today really tells the whole story. His eyes downfield, picking up the deep receiver, his accuracy in the plus territory. His footwork today was excellent,’’ Fisher said of Young's improvement this offseason. “He had a great day.’’            

             Afterward, Young said he plans to take some time to get away from football, but not a lot. 

             He invited a group of receivers to work with him in Houston next week, something he also did last year. He hopes it will keep them stay in rhythm, and help their chemistry. Justin Gage and Biren Ealy are among those who’ve already committed to making the trip, while others were looking at their schedule. On the last look at the Titans before training camp, a pair of receivers named Williams stood out.

We are going to see Vince Young make a lot of progress under Mike Heimerdinger.  I am really excited about the numbers he is going to put up this season.

Paul Williams made a pair of great catches, one in the end zone when he took the ball away from a defender. Later, he caught a touchdown pass from Kerry Collins. No doubt the guy is talented.  

            Mike Williams continues to travel down the right path. While his conditioning level remains an issue, he looks good and has been mostly consistent catching the ball. Williams went up high to get a ball on Friday, an athletic move he couldn’t have made when he was 30 pounds heavier last year.

There is life from the Paul Williams camp.  I cannot wait to watch this receiver battle in camp.

As much as the Titans throw tight end Alge Crumpler in the red zone in practices, it’s looking like he could score a lot of touchdowns this fall.

The Titans were terrible in the red zone last season.  The addition of Crumpler should change that.

Jim Wyatt has his report up from today's practice.  The highlights:

Cornerback Eric King had a great day on Tuesday, while Vince Young wasn’t so good.  King picked Young off twice, two of four interceptions for the quarterback on the day. Cornerback Nick Harper also got into the act, making several nice plays, including a pick on a ball to Lavelle Hawkins.

I expect VY's performances to be a bit erratic while he is learning the new offense.  I will be worried if we are getting a report like this in August.

While Hawkins has been impressive, the defensive backs have been giving him a lot of grief for not being able to get off the ball, something they razzed him about numerous times Tuesday.  From the sideline, King gave Hawkins an earful when cornerback Cary Willams bumped Hawkins off his route on one-on-one drills.  When it was King’s turn against, he backed up the talk. He stepped in and intercepted Young while outfighting Hawkins for it.

This is the first negative we have heard about Hawkins so far.  He will get better as he adjusts to the Pro game.

Receiver Mike Williams made a great catch on one play, but had a difficult day. Williams dropped one ball that slid through his hands, and twice jumped early.

The enigma that is Mike Williams.

Defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch batted down a ball at the line of scrimmage. A practice hasn’t gone by this offseason without Vanden Bosch standing out.

Of course

Jim Wyatt has posted another practice report on his blog.  The higlights:

--Rookie defensive end William Hayes got noticed for good reasons and bad. Hayes stripped Young of the football on a good pass rush up the middle, but had to hear it from Coach Jeff Fisher, who scolded him for being a little too aggressive.

       "Don't touch the quarterback, William,'' Fisher said. "Don't touch the quarterback.''

I like it that he is getting noticed and making plays.  That aggression will payoff when it matters.

--Defensive tackle Antonio Johnson continues to stand out in practices. He busted through the line on one play and stopped rookie running back Chris Johnson cold.

It sounds like he is going to be a solid guy in that defensive tackle rotation.  The Titans could end up having a dang good D line next season.

--I've been skeptical about receiver Mike Williams, but the guy continues to make plays in practices. Williams extended his arms and made a great catch on a ball thrown by Kerry Collins on one play, then went up high to catch another at the goal line.

There is the Mike Williams update August was asking for.

--Receiver Biren Ealy made a highlight-film catch for a touchdown, catching the ball just off the ground.

       It was close. Linebacker Keith Bulluck wasn't convinced.

      "Great catch, but they might have to review that one,'' Bulluck said.

Ealy is going to contribute this season.  Great article about him from Wyatt here.

--Johnson continues to show some nifty running ability. He squirted through the hole on one handoff, and outraced would-be tacklers. He also made a nice catch on a ball thrown by quarterback Ingle Martin.

He too shall contribute.

After his 2nd alcohol related arrest in less than a month, the Chicago Bears have cut ties with running back Cedric Benson.

How about that 2005 NFL draft top 10?  Let's review:

1. Alex Smith- Bust

2. Ronnie Brown- A lot of potential but also a lot of injuries

3. Braylon Edwards- Star

4. Cedric Benson- Criminal

5. Cadillac Williams- Hurt

6. Adam Jones- you feel in the blank

7. Troy Williamson- Bust

8. Antrel Rolle- He is going to be moved to safety this season just like Floyd Reese said he would

9. Carlos Rogers- Better corner than #6 and #8

10. Mike Williams- He is on our team now

Talk about a crap shoot..

Everyone loves a list, right?  Matt Miller over at Mocking the Draft has ranked the top 314 receivers in the NFL.  Now even if you don't agree with the rankings, it is pretty impressive that he took the time to rank 314 receivers.  Who even knew there were 314 receivers in the NFL?

Anyways, the first Tennessee Titans' receiver on his list is Roydell Williams at #47.  I don't really have an issue with that.  What I do have an issue with is that Justin Gage is ranked all the way down at #82.  How are there 35 spots between guys who has the exact same number of catches, and Gage had more yards? 

The bigger issue here is that the Titans barely have a top 50 wide receiver.  People give Vince Young a lot of heat, and I will grant them that he played pretty badly last season, these people need to have some common sense and see the weapons he has been given.  However, the times are a changin with Mike Heimerdinger at the helm.

Other Titans receivers ranked as follows:

Brandon Jones #98

Lavelle Hawkins #146

Chris Davis #164

Mike Williams #170

Paul Williams #197

Biren Ealy #242

Paul Kuharsky has a great story in today's Tennessean about Jevon Kearse.   Kearse makes it clear that he is not here to just be a situational pass rusher.  Here was his response when he was asked if the plans on playing full time:

"Yes. I mean if they know what's good for them, that's what they'll do," he said. "If they make me situational, then I'll be that. But every down is what I am looking forward to …"

"I'm still the same player, but that scheme up in Philly was different. All I've got to say is proof is in the pudding, so I can't even talk about it. Just watch and see."

Kearse seems determined to prove that he can still be the player he was before he went to Philadelphia.  It will be interesting to see how this unfolds in training camp.

Speaking of players who are out to prove something, Terry McCormick has a good article about Mike Williams.   It appears that Williams has redicated himself to football, and he reported to the OTAs more than 30 pounds lighter than he was when the season ended.  That is a step in the right direction.  He has all the physical tools to be a really good receiver.  If he continues to be as dedicated as it appears he has been this offseason, he could really make an impact on the offense this season.  He is the type of receiver that Vince Young needs to have.  If the Titans can get a good season from either Kearse or Mike Williams I would consider that a huge success.  If they can get both of them to exceed expectations it could be a really good season.

Last night I was on the Pigskin Podcast to talk about the Titans and the rest of the teams in the AFC South.  Click here to listen to the podcast.   My part is the last 15 minutes or so.

Check out the new search function in the upper right hand corner of the site.  It gives you a Google-like search of the site.  It is pretty cool.