Longhorn pipeline may flow
NFL Draft history shows the eyes of the Titans are on Texas.
In back-to-back years the Titans used their first-round pick on a University of Texas player — quarterback Vince Young in 2006 and safety Michael Griffin last year — and could keep the trend going this weekend.
The Titans have the 24th pick in Saturday's first round, need a wide receiver and talented Texas wideout Limas Sweed is part of a deep class at the position.
If you're quiet, you might even be able to hear Young campaigning for Sweed.
"Guys always want you to draft their college's guys, that is kind of normal,'' Titans General Manager Mike Reinfeldt said with a smile.
Young might not get a vote on draft day, but he's certainly become a magnet for his former college teammates. The Titans have two other Longhorns — fullback Ahmard Hall and tight end Bo Scaife, the first of the four to join the team, back in 2005.
And over the years the Titans have drafted 20 players from the University of Texas, more than any other school.
"It is a coincidence that these players happen to be available at the time we've picked or had a need,'' Titans Coach Jeff Fisher said of the Texas connection. "They are pros. They are dedicated. … We happen to have more from Texas than any other school, and the ones we have had have been productive for us.''
Why Texas?
Veteran scout C.O. Brocato is one big reason the Titans have such a strong Texas flavor. The team's national supervisor of college scouting has strong connections to the school and is in his 33rd year with the franchise, which has deep roots in the Lone Star State.
His opinion is greatly respected at Baptist Sports Park and around the NFL. If Brocato likes a player from Texas, the Titans give that player an extra long look.
Yet the Texas program also sells itself, Reinfeldt said. In addition to Sweed, Texas running back Jamaal Charles is also expected to be a first-day pick. Both players paid pre-draft visits to the Titans this month.
"They have a very good program and they have performed at a high level. That is one thing. They were national champions just a few years ago, so they have really good players. That is a big part of it,'' Reinfeldt said of Texas.
"And the fact that if you draft one or two of them and they are quality people, they are focused and they work hard and have a good worth ethic, that helps, too. It makes you expect that in the future, too. Plus you also have the ability to check with them about future guys coming up.''
Sweed situation
The 6-foot-4 Sweed would give Young a big target, but there are questions about the receiver's health.
Sweed missed the last seven games of the 2007 season because of a wrist injury, which makes him a tough player to evaluate.
Although he was productive in his three previous college seasons, he was inconsistent. Sweed did have nine catches of 40 yards, however, and 19 of at last 30 yards with the Longhorns.
"He is a very talented guy, he has great skills,'' Reinfeldt said. "The tough thing with him is the injury thing. It is hard to really envision what he would be if he was healthy all the time. And will he stay healthy? He is a talented guy when healthy, for sure.''
There's nothing wrong with going back to the same well over and over just as long as he's the right player, ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. said. Kiper said Sweed is a borderline first-round pick.
"To go Texas, Texas, Texas, that's OK. It just depends," Kiper said. "This is about an individual player and whether he is worthy. … That's what you have to assess. But it certainly wouldn't shock me if they went Limas Sweed.''
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