The Titans made Taylor Lewan their first-round pick this year based on his production as a left tackle for the University of Michigan, but the other side of the line may be where he winds up hanging his hat as a rookie.
Lewan has been learning right tackle this offseason as the Titans prepare him to play on either side of the offensive line. With Michael Roos at left tackle, learning the other side gives Lewan a chance to push Michael Oher or serve as the team’s swing tackle while he acquaints himself with the NFL game.
Lewan says it was a rough adjustment at first, but says he feels “vastly improved” heading into training camp. Offensive line coach Bob Bostad said Lewan has to know how to play both sides because it is “a game of attrition” and generally agreed with Lewan’s assessment of his progress on the right side.
“I think it’s definitely a challenge for him,” Bostad said, via the Tennessean. “I think you have to reach a certain comfort level, and what number of reps that is and what point in time that is, I don’t know. But I think he’s made a lot of improvement in watching his feet and the way he’s staying more square and playing -- things like that.”
The contract Oher signed in free agency gives the Titans incentive to start him and the fact that Lewan remains a work in progress on the right gives him a good chance of holding onto the job into the regular season. If that’s the case, Lewan may have to wait for Roos’ likely departure from the team after the 2014 season to move into the starting lineup.