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| Offensive tackle David Stewart was among the early arrivals as players returned to Baptist Sports Park. |
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Cornerback Jason McCourty is ready for the Tennessee Titans to open their doors, so he can walk in and get back to work.
He has plenty of company.
The NFL players voted for a final deal Monday days after owners NFL players approved a tentative agreement putting an end to the lockout and the league's longest work stoppage.
The Titans face several challenges due to the lengthy lockout. Mike Munchak was the last NFL head coach hired in February, they need a veteran quarterback to start this season and mentor Jake Locker, the No. 8 pick overall, and enough new coaches have been hired that name badges may be needed when training camp opens.
That includes new coordinators with Jerry Gray on defense and Chris Palmer on offense.
"Before the lockout, I got the chance to shake his hand and introduce myself but nothing beyond that," McCourty said. "So for me, that first meeting will be important to learn some of his expectations and see what we're going to do as a defense this year."
The Titans announced they will open the doors to Baptist Sports Park at 9 a.m. CDT Tuesday for players with training camp opening Friday. The first practice hadn't been scheduled yet as of Monday afternoon.
"I think it's important just for us to sit down in a meeting room and talk about some of the changes we're going to have this season, see if we can anticipate some of them so when training camp does open we can hit the ground running," McCourty said.
The Titans were busy hearing from the NFL the deadlines and schedules for the new league year. Free agency begins Tuesday when teams can start signing their drafted rookies and undrafted rookies with the roster expanding to 90 players. They can start negotiating with all free agents Tuesday as well but can't start signing veterans until Friday night.
Among Tennessee's own free agents hitting the market are Pro Bowl defensive end Jason Babin, defensive end Dave Ball, fullback Ahmard Hall, left guard Leroy Harris, linebacker Stephen Tulloch and receiver Randy Moss.
"Pretty much it's been like waiting for Christmas to come, and it's been put off and put off and put off," Ball said of waiting the past few months to hit free agency. "And now it's like Christmas and New year's and Thanksgiving kind of all rolled up into the next couple of days. Hopefully, it'll be an exciting time for everybody."
Hall said he's hoping to return to the Titans. But as a free agent, he won't be going by Titans' headquarters until he has a contract agreement.
"I'd love to be at the Titans. I still feel like I am a Titan I'll consider myself a Titan," Hall said.
With the lockout, team officials have had plenty of time to dissect the roster and figure out what holes they need to fill. At the top is a veteran quarterback. Tennessee will be trying to trade Vince Young as owner Bud Adams decided back in January, and the Titans may have to act as quickly as Thursday or release him outright.
Kerry Collins retired July 7, and that leaves only Locker, Rusty Smith and Brett Ratliff on the roster.
General manager Mike Reinfeldt said in a statement that they plan to sign some of their own free agents and grab some veterans as well. The Titans went 6-10 last season.
"This will be an unusual time and the roster will be evolving throughout the preseason, but I am confident that it will be where we want it by the time we start the regular season," Reinfeldt said.
For Munchak, it's just time to get to work finally with his players. He said he's excited over the labor issue was resolved and wants to get the team together to start building something special.
"I have been in the players' shoes, and I know they are eager to get started and I look forward to being able to interact with them again," Munchak said. "I want to thank the fans for their patience. I have been as anxious as they have been to get going, and now we get that chance. We are going to put together a team that will make them proud."
