NASHVILLE, Tenn. —Andy Gallik views Brian Schwenke as a mentor.
When the Titans drafted Gallik in the sixth round of the NFL Draft, it was Schwenke who immediately showed him the ropes.
"He's one of the first guys who really took me under his wing,'' Gallick said of Schwenke. "The minute I got here after I got drafted he always helped me in the film room, on the practice field, with everything. I see him as an older brother to me.
"The guy has helped me so much."
Schwenke was lost for the season in Sunday's game against the Dolphins.
Gallik, who played at Boston College, stepped in and played the final 43 snaps at center. He's in line to start for the Titans on Sunday against the Falcons.
"He got better as the game went on,'' Titans coach Ken Whisenhunt said of Gallik. "He struggled a little bit early. He got picked on a stunt one time in which the guy came free and got a sack. But he did a little better as the game went on. We'll look at options, what we can possibly help to address that, and see where it is going forward."
Titans tackle Taylor Lewan said the team has confidence in Gallik, a 6-2, 306-pounder who started the final 38 games of his college career at Boston College.
Gallik stepped in and played guard in a back-up role against the Buccaneers and Colts. His snaps at center on Sunday were his first since the preseason.
Titans Online looks at the collegiate career of Boston College C Andy Gallik. (AP Photos)
"Andy knows this system, he's going to get thrown in the fire and he has to produce at a high level. There can't be any drop off,'' Lewan said. "I think he just needs to be good at being loud with his calls, communicate with everybody and we should be all right.
"I really like Andy. He has come a long ways. I am looking forward to seeing what he can do and he'll do a great job."
Gallik said he'll lean on the veterans for advice even more moving forward.
He knows the workload is about to increase.
"It just means a lot more work, it is going to be a grind,'' he said. "But I am really excited.
"This is why you work your whole life to get here. I am taking advantage of the opportunity. I am going to work my butt off and do whatever I have to do to get ready for Sunday."
