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Drops 3-4 system for 4-3 with Titans
By JIM WYATT
Staff Writer
Linebacker Ryan Fowler is learning a new city, some new teammates and a new playbook.
In switching from the Cowboys to the Titans, he also said goodbye to the 3-4 defense and must get used to the 4-3 again.
Three weeks into it, he's getting more comfortable.
"It is like being the new kid on the block again, I guess,'' Fowler said Tuesday after wrapping up a workout at Baptist Sports Park. "Walking it at first it is a little intimidating, but everyone has been receptive and very helpful. And talking to some of the guys, their attitudes and expectations for this season, it's not only made it comfortable, it's also given me an optimistic outlook.''
Fowler is one of four players the Titans have signed this offseason, joining cornerback Nick Harper (Colts), receiver Justin Gage (Bears) and safety Bryan Scott (Saints).
Leaving the Cowboys
Fowler, a restricted free agent, joined the Titans on March 12, selecting Tennessee over Philadelphia. The Cowboys could have kept the three-year veteran, who has just three starts, by matching the $11.5 million offered by the Titans.
"I spent some good time in Dallas, but it was time to move on," Fowler said. "I was stuck behind a couple of guys there that were pretty much entrenched. For me, it was just looking for opportunity.''
Titans General Manager Mike Reinfeldt said Fowler and Stehpen Tulloch, a fourth-round pick in 2006 who started three games last season, will "compete from day one'' for the middle linebacker job.
Based on his contract alone, however, Fowler is considered to have the inside track.
"Stephen Tulloch had pretty good season when he was playing last year," Fowler said. "Just watching him on film, he was very productive. … Hopefully we can both find a good role here. If nothing else, the competition will make us more solid.''
Switching schemes
In a 3-4 (three down linemen, four linebackers) inside linebackers regularly have to fight off guards who don't have a defensive lineman lined up directly in front of them. Fowler played the 4-3 at Duke and in his first year with the Cowboys.
"As far as physicality goes, football is still football,'' Fowler said. "You are still going to have to deal with the lineman. But I think the 4-3 gives guys a little more chance to use their instincts to go make plays instead of having to deal with a lineman on every snap.''
Fowler has already met outside linebackers David Thornton and Keith Bulluck. Thornton took him to lunch on Monday and is helping him find a place to stay.
"Those guys are fast, and they're playmakers,'' Fowler said. "They have some excitement to them whereas I think I can add to that because I am a bigger, more physical style linebacker who can free those guys up to make plays, taking linemen off of them and stuff like that. I think we can work well together.''
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By JIM WYATT
Staff Writer
Linebacker Ryan Fowler is learning a new city, some new teammates and a new playbook.
In switching from the Cowboys to the Titans, he also said goodbye to the 3-4 defense and must get used to the 4-3 again.
Three weeks into it, he's getting more comfortable.
"It is like being the new kid on the block again, I guess,'' Fowler said Tuesday after wrapping up a workout at Baptist Sports Park. "Walking it at first it is a little intimidating, but everyone has been receptive and very helpful. And talking to some of the guys, their attitudes and expectations for this season, it's not only made it comfortable, it's also given me an optimistic outlook.''
Fowler is one of four players the Titans have signed this offseason, joining cornerback Nick Harper (Colts), receiver Justin Gage (Bears) and safety Bryan Scott (Saints).
Leaving the Cowboys
Fowler, a restricted free agent, joined the Titans on March 12, selecting Tennessee over Philadelphia. The Cowboys could have kept the three-year veteran, who has just three starts, by matching the $11.5 million offered by the Titans.
"I spent some good time in Dallas, but it was time to move on," Fowler said. "I was stuck behind a couple of guys there that were pretty much entrenched. For me, it was just looking for opportunity.''
Titans General Manager Mike Reinfeldt said Fowler and Stehpen Tulloch, a fourth-round pick in 2006 who started three games last season, will "compete from day one'' for the middle linebacker job.
Based on his contract alone, however, Fowler is considered to have the inside track.
"Stephen Tulloch had pretty good season when he was playing last year," Fowler said. "Just watching him on film, he was very productive. … Hopefully we can both find a good role here. If nothing else, the competition will make us more solid.''
Switching schemes
In a 3-4 (three down linemen, four linebackers) inside linebackers regularly have to fight off guards who don't have a defensive lineman lined up directly in front of them. Fowler played the 4-3 at Duke and in his first year with the Cowboys.
"As far as physicality goes, football is still football,'' Fowler said. "You are still going to have to deal with the lineman. But I think the 4-3 gives guys a little more chance to use their instincts to go make plays instead of having to deal with a lineman on every snap.''
Fowler has already met outside linebackers David Thornton and Keith Bulluck. Thornton took him to lunch on Monday and is helping him find a place to stay.
"Those guys are fast, and they're playmakers,'' Fowler said. "They have some excitement to them whereas I think I can add to that because I am a bigger, more physical style linebacker who can free those guys up to make plays, taking linemen off of them and stuff like that. I think we can work well together.''
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