NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee's roster has reached the maximum of 90 players, but that doesn't mean the Titans will stop communicating with or possibly hosting available players at Baptist Sports Park.
Multiple media outlets reported talks between the Titans and free agent defensive end John Abraham, a 13-year veteran who has spent the past seven seasons with Atlanta and his first six with the New York Jets. Abraham, who turned 35 Monday, is a four-time Pro Bowler who has twice been selected as a first-team All Pro.
Titans coach Mike Munchak discussed Abraham publicly for the first time Friday after Tennessee's rookies concluded a mini-camp practice.
"We talked to him, spent some time with him. It's looking at what he wants, what we want," Munchak said. "We've been talking to him; nothing's been done. He hasn't obviously made a decision, and (I don't know) how quickly he's going to make the decision."
"It's a business thing, so we're talking to him, Munchak said. "Obviously, we know what kind of player he is and has been. He's going to be playing in this league. We all know that. It's just a matter of where the best fit is going to be."
Another veteran pass rusher whose name has been mentioned is Dwight Freeney, who's spent all 11 seasons with Indianapolis. Freeney, 33, is a three-time selection to the All-Pro first-team who has made seven trips to the Pro Bowl but has not visited the Titans' facility, Munchak said.
"I think we talk to everyone really, but we haven't had him in obviously," Munchak said. "We know what a great player he's been, and it's one of those things where you have to bring guys like that in because you have to see where they are physically and where they're at mentally and what their thinking is. There's a lot more to it with the older guys, to see exactly what kind of situation they're looking for. You really don't know that until you bring them in."
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| Justin Hunter showed speed and skill during Friday's rookie mini-camp. Click here for a slideshow. |
HUNTER HAPPY TO BE BACK: Rookie receiver Justin Hunter said he was happy to return to Tennessee, and he thinks his familiarity with the state will help him transition to the National Football League.
Hunter played three seasons with the Tennessee Volunteers before entering the 2013 NFL Draft where the Titans tabbed him in the second round after moving from 40th to 34th overall. He said he became more comfortable as the day progressed.
"I was nervous," Hunter said. "I didn't know what to expect, but as the day went on, I really calmed down. I feel I had another practice in me. My legs feel good, my body feels good. I'll be ready for (Saturday's practice)."
Hunter said there were "definitely a lot more meetings than college" and the tempo was faster.
At 6-foot-4 and 195 pounds the lanky but speedy receiver with a 40-inch vertical said he wants to gain "seven pounds by the time training camp starts" in late July.
ANOTHER AYERS: In addition to the 15 undrafted players the Titans signed, Tennessee also brought in six players for a tryout.
One of those players shares a special bond with a Titan who is already on the roster: safety Kevin Ayers is the brother of linebacker Akeem Ayers, who was drafted in the second round in 2011. Kevin Ayers said he's trying to make the most of the opportunity and that he had gained some tips from his brother.
"For this tryout, I still feel the same way as a signed rookie because we're all here trying to get a job and make the team," Kevin Ayers said. "I'm just trying to get on the team, no matter if it's practice squad or whatever."
Kevin Ayers said he doesn't expect any tilting of coaches' evaluations of him because of his brother.
"It's a business. I have to work for every little thing. I'm going to have to beat everybody out and show that I want it more than anybody who's here," he said. "My brother's a big help. He's on me every day, quizzing me every five minutes, asking me what's the coverage of every little play, so it's helpful."
Kevin Ayers' locker is diagonally across from Akeem's, and some teammates have already played a practical joke by placing some of each brother's items in the other's locker.
The Titans also invited quarterbacks Sean Canfield and Ross Dausin, safeties Torri Williams and Mark LeGree and running back Danny "D.J." Ware for tryouts. All but Dausin have spent time with other pro teams. Canfield played against the Titans in the past two preseasons as a member of the Saints, and Williams was last with the Texans in August. LeGree was last on Atlanta's practice squad, and Ware was with Tampa Bay last season after five seasons with the New York Giants.
