NASHVILLE, Tenn.- Saturday opened the Mike Munchak era of Tennessee Titan football. After a 132- day lock-out wiped out the entire off season, Titans finally got back on the field at Baptist Sports Park. The new coach was on the field with newly signed quarter back Matt Hasselbeck before practice.
There were many new faces on the coaching staff and on the roster. With no off season practice to build from, there's plenty work to do before the September 11 season opener in Jacksonville. But the Titans believe there was at least one positive from the work stoppage: players aren't dreading camp this year.
When the lockout ended Monday, players were ready to get back to work.
"Usually, Mike and I, as former players, you don't want to go to camp. It's ‘Here we go again,' but these guys excited to be here; they're excited to play football. So, our coaching staff got to get some cohesiveness, and we got a group of players who are ready to play football. And that's a positive," said Titans General Manager Mike Reinfeldt."
"The players seem really excited. Now, they might not be three days from now, to be here, when the body starts to wear down… I think there's a lot of excitement. I think they know what kind of work is ahead of them. I think they're going to know what's expected of them. So, I'm looking forward to it. I think from now on it's going to be exactly what I signed on for," said Titans Head Coach Mike Munchak.
There were 84 players on the field at camp Saturday with one notable exception: Chris Johnson. He's holding out for a second straight year trying to get a new contract. Titans General Manager Mike Reinfeldt said that won't happen until Johnson shows up for camp.
