Latest titans mailbag on locker room division left guard and oregon qbs

Paul KuharskyMay 17, 2015, 11:00 AM ET

@PaulKuharskyNFL #PKmail any chance of a divided locker room if Mettenberger isn't given a real chance to compete against Mariota?
— Collin Dawkins (@CollDawk82) May 15, 2015

Paul Kuharsky: I'm amazed at how many variations of this question I've gotten. The Titans were 2-14 last season. Where out of that did any players earn the right to chose which quarterback, whether it's Marcus Mariota or Zach Mettenberger, to back? I mean, I'm all for guys speaking their mind. But everyone would be wise to get on board with the draft pick and understand the business. Which is exactly what Delanie Walker recently said on my radio show. (Taylor Lewan hit this too Friday.) Understand how it works, and rally around the guy who's leading the huddle. If you somehow divide the locker room based on your quarterback preference, you dent your own job security.

@PaulKuharskyNFL do u see the Titans keeping whitehurst as the 3rd QB or looking for another #PKmail
— Rajae Kahok (@jaekahok) May 15, 2015

Paul Kuharsky: I fully expect Charlie Whitehurst is on the roster. They need someone who's been in the league a while, and it's not like there are any quality options out there. Ken Whisenhunt really likes Whitehurst because of his understanding of the coach's system and thinking.

@PaulKuharskyNFL As of now, your prediction for starters at left guard and right tackle? #PKmail
— David Changas (@dchangas) May 15, 2015

Paul Kuharsky: Andy Levitre at left guard, Jeremiah Poutasi at right tackle. Certainly my feeling can change. This has to be Levitre's final chance to play closer to the expectations the team had for him when it gave out the big contract in 2013. There is no outstanding alternative, though I think Jamon Meredith -- who played tackle last season -- will be moved inside and have a chance. Clearly they drafted Poutasi in the third-round thinking he's equipped to win what amounts to an open job.

@PaulKuharskyNFL Do the Titans put the rookies up in a hotel while they're here, or are they responsible for finding a place to stay?
— Jason Lloyd (@2ToneBlueBlood) May 15, 2015

Paul Kuharsky: They put them up in a team hotel near headquarters, which is the same place they stay during camp. Rookies are not responsible for their own housing until camp breaks, really. But there is a month or more in there when they won't be at team facility when they are on their own. They typically go back home in those situations.

@PaulKuharskyNFL Is Andy Gallik going to push Brian Schwenke for the starting center position? Does he have ability to play guard? #PKMail
— Stoney Keeley (@StoneyKeeley) May 15, 2015

Paul Kuharsky: Andy Gallik played all center at Boston College. He arrives as a center. I wouldn't expect either Gallik or Brian Schwenke to be in the guard mix. Whisenhunt said after they drafted Gallik that Schwenke would remain at center and that the team had enough options at guard. Guys who could press Levitre for left guard include undrafted rookie Josue Matias from Florida State, Justin McCray, Meredith and maybe Gabe Ikard.

@PaulKuharskyNFL Track record of Oregon QBs in NFL: Harrington, Dixon, Smith. Huge college careers, not much after. Smith total bust.
— Martin Brady (@Brady1M) May 15, 2015

Paul Kuharsky: It's quite dangerous to judge a guy based on the success or lack of success of players who played the same college at the same position. California hadn't produced any good NFL quarterbacks and Kyle Boller didn't pan out. The Golden Bears didn't even have guys worthy of drafting. If that steered you away from their quarterbacks, you would have missed out on Aaron Rodgers.

How do you think DGB will impact the way Wright gets used? Is he now full-time slot? #PKmail
— Mike Gill (@Supermike09) May 15, 2015

Paul Kuharsky: No, Kendall Wright is not a full-time slot. Part of the appeal of bringing in Harry Douglas is that the Titans have two viable slot options now who can both play outside. That makes them less predictable. I see very little chance that Dorial Green-Beckham and Justin Hunter both play well enough to be the receivers in two-tight very often. DGB puts far more pressure on Hunter than on Wright.

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Titans mailbag: On locker room division, left guard and Oregon QBs