The Tennessee Titans' voluntary offseason program begins officially on Monday. But some players around Nashville say a quarterback has been organizing practice sessions on his own time all along.
His name is Zach Mettenberger.
"If you ask me, I think that's definitely a good sign for him," Dexter McClustertold The Tennessean. "That's the first step, him showing that leadership and him knowing, 'Hey, this may be my shot, so let me go ahead and get a head start on it.'
"And guys respond to him. I think that says a lot."
With Philip Rivers trade rumors and Marcus Mariota draft rumors in full swing, this is a strong move by Mettenberger, who is showing some incredible maturity during an important offseason. He could have spent the time at a private throwing academy and in a huddle with his agents trying to pull a power play out of Nashville.
But at the moment, he's at least doing enough to make some members of the organization think he's the poor man's Tom Brady.
Perhaps he's even the center of an elaborate smokescreen by the Titans to stockpile picks and move out of the No. 2 spot. Doubtful, but one never knows.
In talking to some members of the Titans organization this offseason, it's clear they value Mettenberger and don't understand how he fell to them in the sixth round of last year's draft. They've gushed about his arm strength and his poise. They like how he's embraced the fan base.
This is just another check in the positive column, though the lingering question remains: Have the Titans made their mind up already?
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