You know it's April when stories are being written about Dexter McCluster stunning his Titans teammates in Tennessee's offseason workout program.
"Amazing. I've seen his feet. I've seen his quickness. I think he's going to bring some true playmaking ability to not only our run game, but our pass game," receiver Nate Washington said this week, per the Tennessean. "I'm pretty sure coach (Ken) Whisenhunt has some tricks up his sleeve to put him in some positions and make some plays."
Whisenhunt confirmed as much, telling reporters last month that the 5-foot-8, 170-pound jitterbug might earn a "lot of touches" as part of a ground attack now led by running back Shonn Greene.
General manager Ruston Webster acknowledged the Titans will "definitely" look to add backfield help in the draft after releasing Chris Johnson, but evidence would point to McCluster playing a role similar to Danny Woodhead's with the San Diego Chargers last season. Under Whisenhunt, Woodhead amassed career highs in carries (106) and receptions (76) as a frequent presence on passing downs.
Former Broncos edge rusher Shaun Phillips saw plenty of Woodhead and McCluster in the AFC West. Now with the Titans, Phillips acknowledged that when McCluster was with the Chiefs, he "made our game-plan board every time we ever played against him."
Andy Reid, however, didn't think much of McCluster's ability on the ground, limiting him to eight carries for 5 yards last season. Whisenhunt undoubtedly has perused game tape from 2011, when Todd Haley called McCluster's number 114 times. Dexter responded with 4.5 yards per carry to go along with his 46 catches.
If Whisenhunt can squeeze that kind of production out of Tennessee's new acquisition, McCluster looms as a juicy late-round fantasy add -- but, again, it's only April.
The latest edition of the "Around The League Podcast" covers the Aldon Smith arrest and analyzes the offseason movers and shakers in the NFC East and NFC South.
