TITANS INSIDER

Titans training camp preview: Running back

Jim Wyatt
jwyatt@tennessean.com
Rrunning back Shonn Greene

The Titans begin training camp on July 26 at Saint Thomas Sports Park. Here's a look at the running backs:

In camp: Antonio Andrews, Jackie Battle, Shonn Greene, Waymon James, Dexter McCluster, Collin Mooney, Bishop Sankey, Leon Washington.

On the spot: Shonn Greene. After an underwhelming first season with the Titans, he has some work to do. This offseason he missed all 10 organized workouts and the three-day minicamp following a second surgery on his injured knee. The Titans want Greene to be their power back in goal-line and short-yardage situations, but with a $2.3 million salary he's no slam dunk to make the 53-man roster unless he proves his value.

Battle to watch: Bishop Sankey vs. Dexter McCluster. My thinking right now is Sankey will be the busiest back this season in terms of carries and production, even though the Titans plan on using a running back by committee approach. He did miss most of the offseason work because of school commitments, however. McCluster, meanwhile, has to prove he's more than a specialty back most valuable on third down.

Offseason star: Dexter McCluster. He was a Pro Bowl return man for the Chiefs, but the Titans have much bigger plans for him as a jack-of-all-trades player. He got a ton of work during the offseason because Sankey was absent and Greene was injured, and the elusive veteran made the most of the opportunity. Titans defenders are just happy they won't have to chase him in the season opener at Kansas City.

Don't be surprised if … Jackie Battle secures the fullback role. Coaches liked what they saw out of the multipurpose back, who is also a good special teams player. At this point, it would be a surprise if he fails to make the roster. Collin Mooney could be the odd man out.