TERESA M. WALKER
AP Pro Football Writer
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The Tennessee Titans are busy trimming their roster and still have to pick a new kicker along with a starting cornerback.
First-year coach Ken Whisenhunt isn’t ready to share which players have been told they won’t make the roster or any other decisions until the deadline.
Whisenhunt did confirm Friday that receiver and returner Marc Mariani and cornerback Tommie Campbell will be among the players waived. The coach says he wishes Mariani the best in his continued pursuit and that Campbell worked hard.
“We are making decisions based on what we think is best for the team,” Whisenhunt said.
The Titans will not be announcing any moves until after the NFL deadline for rosters to be at 53 on Saturday afternoon. The Tennessean reported the Titans have informed 15 players they will be waived, leaving the team to trim seven more by the league deadline.
Mariani was a Pro Bowl returner as a rookie in 2010 as a seventh-round draft pick out of Montana.
A popular player, Mariani missed the past two seasons with separate injuries but signed a one-year deal to return to Tennessee this offseason. He got lots of work this preseason averaging 25.3 yards on kickoffs and also catching six passes for 53 yards.
But Tennessee also has running back Dexter McCluster, a Pro Bowl punt returner last season, and two-time Pro Bowl returner Leon Washington. Whisenhunt said he enjoyed his time with Mariani and wishes him the best.
“We feel comfortable with both of those guys,” Whisenhunt said. “I think we are looking at all opportunities which is what you should do. It is the smart thing to do, but we certainly feel comfortable with those guys.”
The Titans still have to decide between Coty Sensabaugh and Blidi-Wreh Wilson to start opposite cornerback Jason McCourty. Whisenhunt said they have not told the cornerbacks who will start when they open the season Sept. 7 at Kansas City. The coach said they’ll wait until the last possible minute to announce that starter.
“There is no benefit to not doing it that way,” Whisenhunt said.
Waiving Campbell leaves them short at that position, and they will be checking the waiver wire to add help at that position. Campbell, a seventh-round draft pick in 2011, was flagged for defensive pass interference three times in Thursday night’s 19-3 loss to Minnesota.
Campbell wrote on Twitter his thanks to his teammates for helping him become a better player and man.
Asked if either Maikon Bonani or Travis Coons will wind up as the Titans’ kicker, Whisenhunt said they feel comfortable with both. Neither has kicked in the regular season. Coons went 2 of 3 on field goals, while Bonani was 3 of 4 this preseason. The Titans worked out three veteran kickers Wednesday.
The Titans just finished up the preseason 2-2. Jake Locker looked good completing 70 percent of his passes with no turnovers through three games.
The defense has the biggest questions going into the season, giving up an opening touchdown drive in all four games. The Titans also struggled with missed tackles and forced only one turnover.
“We feel like our guys have worked hard, and they’re prepared,” Whisenhunt said. “Hopefully that will be reflected in the way we play against Kansas City.”
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