NASHVILLE, Tenn. — This offseason has allowed Titans tackle Byron Stingily to push himself through more reps with the first team and demand pushups from receiver Damian Williams.
Stingily, a sixth-round selection of by Tennessee in 2011, filled in for David "Big Country" Stewart at the end of last season and started the Titans' final two games of 2012 at right tackle. This offseason he's filled in for Stewart, who's recovering from a broken leg, and Michael Roos, who the Titans rested during organized team activity practices because of his back.
Stewart and Roos have been incredibly durable since both were drafted in 2005 which has limited Stingily's time with the first team. He's had the benefit of more snaps and coaching from the veterans this offseason.
"It's good so I can learn. We're throwing a lot of stuff in, and getting reps is always good. With them being out, they help me a lot with stuff that's going on because they see it, so it's been good," Stingily said. "Country usually says something to me or if I mess up on something, Roos comes to me and says, 'Look out for this,' so it's good."
Titans coach Mike Munchak said Stingily has done well and is in competition to be the team's "swing tackle" on game days. Tennessee usually opts to dress out three tackles.
"He did a nice job last year when he had to play," Munchak said. "We feel good about him and he has done well in this phase."
Stingily said the game experience last season boosted his confidence to prepare for 2013.
"I think it's made me a better player because I didn't play until the end of the year, so I got to see where I was at and see what I could work on," Stingily said. "I've only watched it the time we watched it and moved on. You've got to move on and keep getting better, so I've only seen the two games when we watched it after."
Stingily said he wants to play at about 320 pounds, up from 305 last year, and has been lifting heavier weights.
"He looks good. He can carry a lot of weight. He is a lot stronger," Munchak said. "He is a good kid and getting real comfortable with what he is doing. Last year him playing those two/three games really helped him because he was a little nervous getting in there the first time. It is nice knowing he can do it both at home and on the road."
Stingily, who speaks softly for a man of his size, has also become more comfortable with teammates and has taken pride in the University of Louisville's successes this year with some friendly trash talking with others. The latest triumph is the baseball team's trip to the College World Series. He and Williams wagered 10 pushups on if the Cardinals would upset the Vanderbilt Commodores last weekend.
"Man, I was pulling for Vanderbilt," Williams said. "I really thought they were going to do better than they did, and they played really well, they definitely did. They just came up a little short."
Stingily decided to collect three from Williams during a practice this week.
"What he won't tell you is he lost a bet with Nate (Washington) when we were at Dave & Buster's on the basketball game, so the reason I had to do some (Monday) is because Nate told Byron to give him some and then I started laughing, so then he's like, 'You think that's funny?' So I had to do mine."
CRAM SESSIONS: Delanie Walker, who joined the Titans as a free agent this offseason, said it was important for him to return to the practice field this week after resting a tweaked knee.
"That's just the way I am. I always the type of player, I feel like if I'm not out there, I'm not helping the team," Walker said. "Me standing on the sideline is not helping the team, so I'm always trying my best to rehab and if I've got injuries, whatever I've got to do to be out there, I want to be out there. That was my biggest concern, just being out there helping the team."
The Titans are tasking tight ends with multiple responsibilities in the offense, and the study has been pretty intense, Walker said.
"It's a lot of cramming. They're cramming a lot in our heads right now, so that's a good thing," Walker said. "Hopefully by training camp we'll all have it down, and I think that's why they're doing it now, so we can have a feel for it so when we go into training camp we won't be expecting anything different because we'll already know everything. I think it's a great opportunity going into mini-camp knowing all these plays and having the opportunity to go against our defense."
FILM ROOM: Munchak opted to forgo the team's 10th and final OTA practice Friday because he had been pleased with the approach the players took during the voluntary offseason program and the progress the team has made.
He decided to surprise players by taking them to a sneak preview of World War Z, and *Titans All Access *will have coverage of the outing.
TICKETS AVAILABLE SOON: Single-game tickets to all 10 Tennessee Titans home games will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, July 12. Prices start at $36 per person per game. Click here for more information.
