NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Titans defensive lineman Jurrell Casey's goal this offseason was to get sturdier in the trenches.
So he added a few pounds to his frame, and already he feels a difference.
"I definitely got the results I wanted," Casey said. "I feel like I am holding up a little better on the blocks. Last year I didn't feel like I did too well on the double teams, so this year it is definitely going to be key to make sure I do that."
A three-time Pro Bowler, Casey said he's ready to go.
The Titans face the Dolphins in the regular season opener on Sunday at Miami.
"I feel great," he said. "My body feels good, and mentally I'm feeling well. I'm ready to get out there. It's been a long preseason, and now it is time for the real fun to start happening."
Casey, who has recorded 39 sacks in seven seasons with the Titans, will have extra incentive to get to opposing quarterbacks this season, beginning with Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill.
Casey has teamed with Starlight Children's Foundation, an organization dedicated to creating moments of joy and comfort for hospitalized children and their families. And for every sack Casey records this season, he will donate $999 to the foundation for hospital gowns.
According to the foundation's website, the gowns "transform children into astronauts, princesses, cowboys, and other characters (now including the Titans' No. 99) so they can have fun and enjoy being kids."
As a new Starlight All-Star, Casey unveiled his very own Jurrell Casey “Unstoppable” Starlight Gown and a fundraising campaign to invite his fans to join him in supporting Starlight throughout the upcoming football season.
Starlight's line of new children's hospital gowns "are made of top quality, comfortable material, tie on the sides instead of down the back and feature fun, colorful designs that children love to wear."
"Basically, you want to put a smile on their faces, and make kids more comfortable," Casey said.
Casey encourages his fans to join in and donate alongside him.
"I can't wait to see the kids eyes light up when they see this gown," Casey said in a statement on Starlight's web site. "I've seen them first-hand, and they're awesome. In fact, I'm so excited about the Starlight Children's Foundation program, I'm donating $999 to Starlight for every sack I get this season. And I plan on getting a lot of sacks."
Fans and companies alike may join Casey's Starlight All-Star team by sharing the hashtag #99challenge on social each time they donate at Starlight.org/99.
TitansOnline.com looks back at DT Jurrell Casey's 2018 offseason. (AP Photos)

Tennessee Titans defensive end Jurrell Casey poses June 11, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Tennessee Titans defensive end Jurrell Casey poses June 11, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Tennessee Titans defensive end Jurrell Casey poses June 11, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Tennessee Titans defensive end Jurrell Casey poses June 11, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Tennessee Titans defensive end Jurrell Casey poses June 11, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Tennessee Titans defensive end Jurrell Casey poses June 11, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Tennessee Titans defensive end Jurrell Casey poses June 11, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Tennessee Titans defensive end Jurrell Casey poses June 11, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Tennessee Titans defensive end Jurrell Casey poses June 11, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Tennessee Titans defensive end Jurrell Casey poses June 11, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Former Tennessee Titans safety Michael Griffin, center, jokes with former teammates Jurrell Casey, left, and Wesley Woodyard, right, after Griffin signed a one-day contract with the team and then retired as a Titan Monday, May 7, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. Griffin, a first-round pick by the Titans in 2007, played nine seasons for Tennessee. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Tennessee Titans defensive end Jurrell Casey poses June 11, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Tennessee Titans defensive end Jurrell Casey poses June 11, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Former Tennessee Titans safety Michael Griffin, center, talks with former teammates after Griffin signed a one-day contract with the team and then retired as a Titan Monday, May 7, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. Griffin, a first-round pick by the Titans in 2007, played nine seasons for Tennessee. From left are outside linebacker Brian Orakpo, defensive end Jurrell Casey, Griffin, defensive end DaQuan Jones, and inside linebacker Wesley Woodyard. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Tennessee Titans defensive end Jurrell Casey poses June 11, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Tennessee Titans' defensive end Jurrell Casey gives a television interview during an NFL flag schools event at King's House Sports Ground in Chiswick, west London, Wednesday, July 18, 2018. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)

NFL players, from left, Seattle Seahawks' cornerback Neiko Thorpe, Tennessee Titans' defensive end Jurrell Casey, Philadelphia Eagles' wide receiver Mack Hollins, Oakland Raiders' tight end Jared Cook, Los Angeles Chargers' linebacker Kyle Emanuel and Jacksonville Jaguars' kicker Josh Lambo pose for photographers with large sandwiches during a promotional event for a sponsor during an NFL flag schools event at King's House Sports Ground in Chiswick, west London, Wednesday, July 18, 2018. (AP Photo/Robert Stevens )

Tennessee Titans defensive end Jurrell Casey poses June 11, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Tennessee Titans' defensive end Jurrell Casey, right, chats with Philadelphia Eagles' wide receiver Mack Hollins as they give a video interview during an NFL flag schools event at King's House Sports Ground in Chiswick, west London, Wednesday, July 18, 2018. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)

Tennessee Titans defensive end Jurrell Casey poses June 11, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Tennessee Titans' defensive end Jurrell Casey gives instructions during an NFL flag schools event at King's House Sports Ground in Chiswick, west London, Wednesday, July 18, 2018. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)

Tennessee Titans' defensive end Jurrell Casey, foreground, throws a ball after posing in a group photo as he takes part in an NFL flag schools event at King's House Sports Ground in Chiswick, west London, Wednesday, July 18, 2018. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)

Tennessee Titans defensive end Jurrell Casey poses June 11, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

A boy throws a ball next to Tennessee Titans' defensive end Jurrell Casey, left, after posing in a group photo during an NFL flag schools event at King's House Sports Ground in Chiswick, west London, Wednesday, July 18, 2018. (AP Photo/Robert Stevens )

Tennessee Titans defensive end Jurrell Casey poses June 11, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Tennessee Titans defensive end Jurrell Casey poses June 11, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Tennessee Titans defensive end Jurrell Casey poses June 11, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Tennessee Titans defensive end Jurrell Casey poses June 11, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Tennessee Titans defensive end Jurrell Casey poses June 11, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Tennessee Titans defensive end Jurrell Casey poses June 11, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)

Tennessee Titans defensive end Jurrell Casey poses June 11, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)