Mauck signs with the Titans (Practice Squad)

[Bronco LB 59]

http://tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/...37/1328/SPORTS

Tuesday, 09/06/05

Mauck added to practice squad

The Titans finished putting together their practice squad yesterday by agreeing to terms with quarterback Matt Mauck.

Mauck spent last season with the Denver Broncos, who released him recently. Mauck had a chance to re-sign with Denver's practice squad, but opted for Tennessee.

Coach Jeff Fisher didn't rule out the possibility that Mauck could eventually become the No. 3 quarterback behind Steve McNair and Billy Volek. Fisher also said there's a chance the Titans will go into Sunday's opener at Pittsburgh with just two quarterbacks.

Only McNair and Volek are on the 53-man roster at this point.

"We are going to put (Mauck) on the practice squad and see how he does," Fisher said. "We're going to try and get him ready to play as quickly as we can."

Mauck threw for 3,813 yards at LSU and was a seventh-round pick of the Broncos last year. But he's already 26, having played three years of minor league baseball.

The Titans have another former LSU quarterback on their practice squad. Marcus Randall was converted from quarterback to safety in June.

Fired up: Fisher said he's especially excited for the season opener because so many Titans will experience opening day and a game against a big rival for the first time.

"Currently on the roster I've got 11 players that have never played in a regular season National Football League game," he said. "More importantly, there are 24 on this roster that have never played the Pittsburgh Steelers, so this is going to be a very, very exciting week for us."

As the Houston and Tennessee Oilers, the franchise battled Pittsburgh twice a year as members of the old AFC Central until realignment in 2002.

Fisher said those who have not played against Pittsburgh in the past will notice a difference in intensity and focus in the veterans when coaches start to install the game plan at practice tomorrow.

Tops: With 541 yards, Volek wound up as the NFL's preseason passing leader.

"Billy is? No way," said receiver Drew Bennett, who caught two long passes from Volek in the preseason finale. "I didn't know that. That's funny. It doesn't surprise me. Billy knows how to throw the rock."

Volek didn't know about the numbers either.

"Yeah? Cool. That's good," he said. "It's preseason. Hopefully that will carry over into the regular season."

Quiet, for now: The Titans have been in touch with recently released placekickers Todd France and Aaron Elling, but Fisher didn't sound like he's a shift away from Rob Bironas is imminent.

"Rob is our kicker," Fisher said. " ... We may bring in a guy or two to look at them, but I'm not going to upset things. I'm especially pleased with the way (Bironas) is hitting the ball and the way he is kicking off. I expect him to make most of his kicks because that is what he has been doing on the practice field."

Back in action: Fisher said he expects running back Travis Henry, who has battled turf toe for most of the preseason, and tight end Ben Troupe, who has been out since having surgery in May to repair a broken bone in his left foot, to practice tomorrow.

Troupe will have to be activated off the physically unable to perform list first.

Returning: Fisher said Steve McNair and Tank WIlliams, who had gone south to look in on their families in areas hit by Hurricane Katrina, were scheduled to return to Nashville last night.

—JIM WYATT, PAUL KUHARSKY

[El Guapo]

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