Titans middle linebacker Barrett Ruud may be the next Wally Pipp.
Ruud is currently out with a groin injury and we suspect he won’t have a starting job to return to when he gets healthy. At least he shouldn’t get his starting job back.
Tennessee rookie fourth-round pick Colin McCarthy has been a revelation over the last month. Every time we watch the Titans on tape, McCarthy just pops off the screen.
We’re not sure the stats do McCarthy justice, but the stats are pretty impressive: He has 29 tackles, five tackles for loss, two passes defensed, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and an interception in his last three games. One of those games came off the bench.
It’s hard to imagine the Titans bothering to re-sign Ruud; he’s on a one-year contract.
McCarthy isn’t exactly a diamond in the rough — he went to University of Miami — but he’s part of a quietly impressive Titans draft class.
McCarthy, linebacker Akeem Ayers, and defensive tackles Jurrell Casey and Karl Klug all look like solid building blocks for the team.
If Jake Locker winds up being as good as the Titans hope, this could turn into a special draft class for Mike Munchak.