With the Tennessee Titans losing their leader on defense in Azeez Al-Shaair, the team is going to be looking for someone new to wear the green dot in 2024.
Right now, all eyes are on Kenneth Murray, who is the only linebacker on the roster with multiple years of starting experience. However, there is doubt about how well the former Los Angeles Charger will handle that duty, although he does have experience with it.
During the introductory press conference for cornerback L’Jarius Sneed on Tuesday (highlights here), general manager Ran Carthon said the team hasn’t broached the subject with Murray yet.
“We haven’t crossed that bridge yet,” Carthon said, according to ESPN’s Turron Davenport. “Honestly, we don’t even have (Murray) in the building right now. He’ll be here next week. Once (the players) are able to get with our coaches, I totally trust (linebackers) coach (Frank) Bush and (defensive coordinator) Dennard (Wilson) to figure out who will be the best to lead that group and get them lined up.”
It’s very possible the player who wears the green dot isn’t even on the roster yet, and that could include a rookie, something Carthon is open to. He also pointed out how a different position could take on the responsibility.
“(Fred Warner’s) first year, he was the green dot,” Carthon said. “So it’s all about that person and what that person is comfortable with. And if they’re able to handle the communication and they’re a three-down player, then they’ll be out there.
“I’ve seen teams — I want to say it was Eric Weddle, when he was with the Chargers and when he was with the Rams, he wore the green dot,” Carthon added. “So it doesn’t necessarily have to be a linebacker that does the communication, it’s just about finding that person that’s going to be able to do that and still effectively do their job.”
