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Titans' Ealy turning heads

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During offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger's first stint with the Titans, an unheralded receiver came out of nowhere to elevate an unheralded corps. Drew Bennett, an undrafted free agent in 2001, was a fixture for his six seasons in Tennessee. Last offseason he departed for the Rams and a $30 million contract. Granted, it's early, but a similar success story seems to be developing in Heimerdinger's second go-round with the Titans. Receiver Biren Ealy, undrafted last season, has been one of the team's biggest stars this offseason. On an offense searching for playmakers, his emergence couldn't come at a better time. Ealy showed flashes on the practice field last season but played in only four games and caught only one pass. This offseason teammates and coaches said they've seen a relentless worker who's determined to make a difference, a player consistently making plays, forging himself ahead of draft picks and players with far better credentials coming out of college.

Tennessean

Jeff Fisher, Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images Jeff Fisher, Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images

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June 21, 2008  09:52 AM ET
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But I don't think he's gonna be the answer to the Titans' needs at WR. They need more than some guy we've never heard of.

June 21, 2008  10:33 AM ET
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You got to love that knd of work ethic. Giving it all to play the game he loves. Hope it works out well for him but even Bennett is better suited as a number two or a slot receiver and not as the number one guy. Comparing the two might be completely accurate for that reason alone.

June 21, 2008  11:06 AM ET
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Maybe a better comparison would have been Derrick Mason. No one had ever heard of him coming out of college and I think he's done pretty well as a #1 receiver.

June 21, 2008  11:39 AM ET
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Gotta love J-Fish

June 21, 2008  11:42 AM ET
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I'm not sure if you pronounce his last name Ealy ( like Eli ) but if that's the case then "Eli's Coming" !!! Credits to the great rock group from the 70's - Three Dog Night !!!

June 21, 2008  01:15 PM ET
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Think they should at least wait until he catches his second pass in a game before they turn their heads too far..

June 21, 2008  03:07 PM ET
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@Kaycee, it's pronounced byron eel-ly.

like the story alluded to, he was being giving chances a lot last season. i know i wondered why the guy was in the line-up so much. apparently it was practice, so hopefully his potential will finally translate into some on-field success.

i don't blame the team as much as i did at one point for not taking receiever. they've invested a lot of picks over the years and need to see if any of those guys will pan out. and while Thomas and Kelly and those guys may be good pros, none of them were can't miss #1's that'd solve our problems.

i will say i am starting to wish our personnel department would be a little more aggressive in restocking positions before we get the point of needing quick fixes. which brings me to that Chris Johnson pick... but that's a whole 'nother story...

June 21, 2008  10:34 PM ET
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"He looked great in minicamp...."

Wow, this may be the slowest newsday ever.

Wonder what Vick had for breakfast this morning?

June 22, 2008  02:36 AM ET
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I think we are in the right spot... we have very good receivers that no one has heard of. Look at what Marcus Colston did in N.O. he was drafted in the 7th round and was the best receiver... and finished 3rd for Offensive Rookie of the year behind Vince Young and Maurice Jones-Drew. We can just fly under the radar all year as long as we make the playoffs... I think this year will be much better than people are giving us credit for

June 22, 2008  09:01 AM ET
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THis development is great news. I'll takle anyone who can hold on to a pass. I still hold out hope that Mike Williams will regain his form that I saw dominate my Wolverines in the Rose Bowl and many other teams. Go Titans!!

 
June 24, 2008  04:17 AM ET
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The problem with the Titans passing game has allready been fixed this offseason. by replacing Norm " what do u mean i cant run a screen pass every play" chow with Mike Himadinger.

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