NASHVILLE, Tenn. --Titans running back David Cobb made a name for himself in college by moving the pile.
After being slowed during the offseason with a quad injury, Cobb is back in the pad-popping business.
And there's little doubt he knows what he's in town to do – get physical.
"I definitely think that is how I'm going to stay around, if I stay around,'' Cobb said. "I know what I am here for, so the biggest thing for me right now is to continue to get stronger, continue to stay healthy, and just learn pass pro and different things about the offense.
"But I also have to continue to play fast and be physical."
Cobb, who ran for 2,885 yards in his final two college seasons at Minnesota, has looked sturdy in the past two practices with pads.
While running back Bishop Sankey got a heavy workload in Monday night's practice, Cobb was also active for the second straight day.
He had a little extra incentive: Eddie George, his childhood idol, was watching from the sideline. Cobb noticed.
"I looked over there and he was the only tall black guy, and he looked like he could still play. So I assumed it was Eddie,'' Cobb said with a smile. The two met last week.
"I know Eddie was watching during our half-line drill, so that definitely gave me an extra pep in my step, him and (running backs) coach (Sylvester) Croom behind me. That will definitely do it."
Titans coach Ken Whisenhunt said he's been impressed with Cobb so far. Another one of Cobb's strength's is pass protection.
"I see good patience as a runner. You can see he's got good vision,'' Whisenhunt said of the 5-11, 229-pound Cobb. "I think we're going to be very pleased with him with his ability to break tackles and extend the run. He's got good feet, he's really got a good feel. He's got some work to do on protection, not so much from a mental standpoint but from a technical standpoint, but I've been pleased."
Cobb knows he still has work to do.
Titans Online looks at the collegiate career of Minnesota RB David Cobb. (AP Photos)
The quad injury kept him off the field during part of the offseason, but he's healthy now, aside from a sprained finger. He's also adjusting to a different speed in the NFL.
"Right now I am not satisfied, and I want to do better,'' Cobb said. "I am OK with the effort and that is the biggest thing with me. I know I have a long way to go to get to where I need to be.
"There is definitely a difference (in speed). The holes close quicker, the d-linemen are faster and a little bigger and stronger. Getting in the pads the first few days has been different, but fun."
