NASHVILLE, Tenn. –Titans defensive lineman Jurrell Casey has welcomed plenty of newcomers to the defense this offseason.
He was able to congratulate new Titans cornerback Adoree' Jackson in person last month at the NFL Draft in Philadelphia.
Casey made the rounds on the Titans Caravan last week, when he discussed several topics, including Jackson, the team's new free agents, and his spot among the top players in the NFL.
Some quick hits:
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Action Jackson**
Casey believes Jackson, selected 18th overall by the Titans, will be a good fit in Tennessee.
Like Casey, Jackson played collegiately at USC, where he was a playmaker not only on defense, but on special teams and on offense, too.
"When he got drafted, I ran into him for a quick second,'' Casey said. "He is excited, and I'm excited. To have a guy of his caliber come out and join our team, it made us so much better. I am looking forward to another Trojan coming out and joining this squad. The heart of a Trojan, you can't miss out on that."
Casey believes Jackson's personality will help him fit in quickly in Tennessee.
"He is an energetic guy, someone you can sit down and talk with. He is not shy," Casey said with a smile. "So you have to have that being on this defense. We are going to joke, and we are going to have fun, and you have to have a personality to be on this team, and I think he has that."
New faces on D
Even before the addition the draft picks, the Titans added several new players in free agency.
Former Patriots cornerback Logan Ryan, former Jaguars safety Johnathan Cyprien, and former Broncos defensive lineman Sylvester Williams are all expected to be new starters on the defense this fall.
The Titans also signed safety Brynden Trawick (Raiders), linebacker Daren Bates (Raiders) and cornerback Demontre Hurst (Bears) this offseason to compete on special teams, and for roles in the defense.
"The thing I love is they are picking up the playbook pretty fast," Casey said of the newcomers. "I feel like we picked up where we left off last year. They are coming in, picking it up, and when you have veterans come in that can do that it makes it that much easier for everybody. They are doing a good job being leaders for their groups and really about ready to turn this team around."
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No.86?**
NFL Network's The Top 100 Players of 2017 premiered last week, and Casey was revealed as No. 86.
Casey, who has played in back-to-back Pro Bowls, was asked if that ranking was high enough. A year ago, he tallied 51 stops and five sacks for the Titans.
"It is always not high enough at the end of the day, but it definitely is a compliment,'' Casey said with a smile. "At the end of the day, all the players that you have in this league, to be honored as top 100 it is always a blessing. So I am just grateful I am able to make it on the list once again, and I am going to continue to push and represent this team the best way I can.
"It definitely is an honor. At the end of the day, I wish I was higher, but that is the job for me, to go out there and make sure it happens."
