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The trouble is it's 2003 practice-squader Dwayne Blakley, not top draft pick Ben Troupe, who continues to make mistakes that are frustrating his coaches.
Blakley was in training camp with Kansas City in 2002 and 2003 and played for NFL Europe's Rhein Fire in 2003. The Titans signed him to their practice squad for the final four regular season games and its two playoff games last season, then sent him back to Rhein this summer.
In the first couple weeks of training camp, he's made a lasting impression on coaches and teammates.
"Blakley has showed me a lot," quarterback Steve McNair said. "He's come a long way. On certain days, he doesn't make any mistakes. He makes adjustments, he makes great catches, he makes great decisions. Absolutely it puts pressure on everyone at that position."
Troupe said he's working hard every day to improve and not spending time or energy looking back on things he may not have done well to this point. While saying he didn't believe he resides in anyone's doghouse, he spoke flatteringly of the more-experienced Blakely. Erron Kinney is clearly the team's No.1 guy and while Shad Meier hasn't gotten a lot of attention in the pass game so far, he's getting good reviews for his progress.
Blakley is listed as the third tight end, ahead of second-rounder Troupe and seventh-rounder Sean McHugh, on the team's unofficial depth chart, Blakley said he doesn't pay attention to such things.
"When the coach says go in, I go in," he said.
He went in some in the first half some against Buffalo, well ahead of Troupe.
Coach Jeff Fisher said Blakely will be told to go in earlier in the team's second preseason game in Buffalo on Saturday so he can get some work surrounded by more experienced players.
Troupe, meanwhile, should play more than he did against Cleveland, but probably later in the game.
Asked to assess his game, Blakely grinned when Erron Kinney leaned in and interrupted: "He's the total package."
The Titans typically carry three tight ends, so Blakely remains an outsider looking in at the 53-man roster. But Coach Jeff Fisher said the team could keep four.
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