CORAL GABLES, Fla. – New Titans General Manager Mike Borgonzi has been on the job for less than three months.
The front office has been reshaped around him, and the roster is currently under construction.
Since the beginning of free agency, the Titans have signed 13 new players, re-signed nine of their own, traded a player away, claimed a player off waivers, released two others while opting not to re-sign six of their own who ended up signing elsewhere.
Now, Borgonzi is focused on final evaluations of players in the upcoming NFL Draft, scheduled for April 24-26.
At Miami's Pro Day earlier this week, Borgonzi discussed some of the team's moves while saying the team is still in the building stages.
As promised, the Titans bolstered their offensive line with Steelers left tackle Dan Moore Jr. and Lions guard Kevin Zeitler. The team also signed veteran Blake Hance, who has played every position on the line but center.
"Moore is a younger guy, he's 26," Borgonzi said. "He started all four years in Pittsburgh, is durable. And he has played against some really good pass rushers in that division for years. We like the make-up of the person, liked him coming out of college. So, he'll bring not only the talent, but I think he'll bring some of the culture things you need, too, the person, the leadership. And all that was important to us. And, Zeitler has done it for such a long time. It's amazing – he's 35-years-old and he is still one of the best guards in football. And he brings an element of dependability, toughness and strength inside the pocket. Hance is smart, can line up in different spots, inside, outside. I've followed him since his days (in college). We still have work to do with depth and everything. We feel good about where we're at, but we're not done there yet."
The addition of Moore will allow JC Latham to switch to right tackle, something Borgonzi thinks is a plus.
"He played (right tackle) in college, and I think a lot of people saw him as a right tackle (coming out)," Borgonzi said of Latham. "Certainly, he played left tackle last year, but I think it will be good for him to move back to the right, and it'll make the entire line better, I think."
The Titans signed former Broncos linebacker Cody Barton, and traded linebacker Kenneth Murray Jr. to the Cowboys.
"Cody has been a MIKE, a green dot guy in the league," Borgonzi said. "I went to Utah the year he came out (for the draft), and he's one of those guys who I like to say is wired right for the position. He brings toughness, is smart."
Also on defense, the Titans signed safety Xavier Woods, and edge rushers Dre'Mont Jones and Lorenzo Carter.
"Xavier has been a guy who has been consistent, dependable, since he got in the league," Borgonzi said. "He always lines up and starts – I think he played 1,000-plus snaps last year. He's smart, tough, one of those guys who is interchangeable.
"Dre'Mont is a bigger edge guy that has versatility to play inside as well. So, we liked his versatility. He's a rush backer for us in base, and he can do some interior rush. He really excelled at that, too, when he was at Ohio State. … Lorenzo has always been a consistent player, a big, longer guy on the edge. He can set the edge in the run game, and he's continued to improve as a pass rusher. But he's a big, long guy who can set the edge for us."
The Titans signed quarterback Tim Boyle on Wednesday, after previously signing veteran Brandon Allen.
The Titans now have three quarterbacks on the roster, including Will Levis.
Of course they're evaluating others in this year's NFL Draft.
"He has been a good back-up in the league for years, and obviously Brian had experience with him in Cincinnati, so that was a part of it," Borgonzi said of Allen. "So, he'll be good for the room. He's competitive, knows the system, Brian's system, so that was a big part of it, yeah."
At receiver, Van Jefferson was signed as Nick Westbrook-Ikhine left for the Dolphins.
"Jefferson has always been a really good route runner, is savvy," Borgonzi said. "And he can bring that to our offense."
The team made some big changes on special teams, under the direction of new special teams coordinator John Fassel.
The Titans signed veteran punter Johnny Hekker, instead of re-signing Ryan Stonehouse, who ended up joining the Dolphins as well.
"We like Hekker, and Bones (Fassel) had experience with him in L.A.," Borgonzi explained. "He's another guy that's older, but he's still punting well."
The team signed former Patriots kicker Joey Slye, instead of re-signing Nick Folk.
"Bones has liked him through the years, and we watched him," Borgonzi said of Slye. "His leg is still strong – he kicked a 63-yarder last year. He's been good from 50-plus. Leg strength was a big part of it."
In addition to the players Borgonzi discussed, the team also signed receiver/return man James Proche on Wednesday after being awarded former Patriots linebacker Curtis Jacobs off waivers on Monday.
So, what's next? Stay tuned.
"I think we are still going to add here before the draft," Borgonzi said. "I don't know how much more, but every day we'll continue to try and add players."
