Former local stars Martin, Vaughn among Titans cuts

The Tennessee Titans began their cuts Friday to get down to the 53-man roster and let go of former MBA star quarterback Ingle Martin and kicker John Vaughn as two of the cuts.

The Titans did not release the list of cuts, but The City Paper confirmed 12 players who were released Friday with their agents.

There are still apparently final decisions regarding the last spots on the roster at a variety of positions, including running back, wide receiver, defensive tackle, defensive end and in the secondary.

“We’ve got different scenarios, different situations as they relate to each guy. Some guys have maybe not quite seen the field yet and they’re getting ready to, and we’ve got some other guys that we know what they can do. So you’re measuring potential versus production in the past,” Titans coach Jeff Fisher said. “It’s been a tough week from that standpoint.”

Martin is a possibility to come back on the practice squad, while Vaughn, who played at Brentwood Academy, likely won't be because of the return of All-Pro kicker Rob Bironas from a groin injury.

The Titans also waived seventh-round draft pick Cary Williams, a player the Titans were high on as a project and special teams player when he was drafted. Williams was hampered by quadriceps and knee problems in training camp, prompting his release. There is still the likelihood the Titans could add him back to the practice squad if he clears waivers.

Others released Friday included wide receiver Edward Williams, running back Omar Cuff, cornerback Marquice Cole, safety Tony Joiner, defensive back Tuff Harris, linebacker Jerrell Freeman, guard Fernando Velasco, tackle Isaac Snell and guard Jason Murphy. Reports also had center Enoka Lucas being let go.

The Titans still had more roster cuts to make in order to get down to the 53-man limit by 3 p.m. CDT on Saturday.

Even then, the Titans are expected to sift through the cuts of other teams to find players to supplement their own roster.

“If we see a player that we feel is better than a player we have, then we’ll go ahead and make that change,” Fisher said.

YOUNG OK: Titans coach Jeff Fisher said Friday that quarterback Vince Young’s throwing hand was all right after he hit it on Green Bay Packers linebacker Tracy White in Thursday night’s 23-21 victory at Lambeau Field.

Still, Young was seen leaving Baptist Sports Park Friday afternoon with a bandage on his right hand.

“The quarterback is fine. He’s no different than he was. He’s in good shape, and he won’t miss practice this week,” Fisher said.

Fisher indicated that safety Michael Griffin and tight end Alge Crumpler, both shaken up in the game, were both fine as well.

OFFENSIVE ISSUES: For all their production stat-wise with 403 yards of total offense against the Packers, the Titans still had issues in the red zone with just one touchdown in five trips there.

Fisher said he hoped that game-planning specifically for the opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars would help remedy that lack of productivity. The first-team offense did not score a single touchdown in the preseason, and the touchdown the offense produced

“We hope so,” Fisher said. “You go into the regular season trying to score points, as many and as often as you can. You’re playing defenses that have game planned you and we happen to have a very good defensive opponent this week.”

WILLIAMS UPDATE: Fisher said receiver Roydell Williams, whose roster spot was potentially in jeopardy because of limited practice on his surgically repaired right ankle, helped his cause despite not catching a pass at Green Bay.

“He played throughout the ballgame. He ran and got in and out of his cuts well and didn’t have any difficulty. He’s closed the gap obviously,” Fisher said.