What Tennessee Titans’ Roger McCreary is learning from veteran defensive backfield

Cornerback Roger McCreary is confident in his chances to be one of the Tennessee Titans’ starters on defense.

He also knows — given the additions general manager Ran Carthon made to the Titans’ defensive backfield this offseason — the task won’t be easy.

In March, Carthon signed eighth-year cornerback Chidobe Awuzie and traded for fifth-year cornerback L’Jarius Sneed. Then, two weeks before training camp began, he added three-time Pro Bowl safety Jamal Adams.

McCreary, a third-year player who finished third in pass breakups (6) and fourth in combined tackles (86) on the Titans last season, is suddenly one of the least experienced players in the Titans’ defensive backfield.

“Those guys are who you look up to and just want to play with,” McCreary said at Ascension Saint Thomas Sports Park on Thursday. “They make you better just by how they play.”

Awuzie, 29, played seven seasons with the Dallas Cowboys and Cincinnati Bengals before signing with the Titans. He has 369 tackles and six interceptions in 86 career games.

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Sneed, 27, played four seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs where he was part of two Super Bowl wins. He was traded to the Titans for a third-round pick on Mar. 29.

“Those guys are great,” McCreary said of Sneed and Awuzie. “We studied them up close when we played them. They are veterans, and they give me tips on what I should do.”

Tennessee Titans’ Roger McCreary wants to be aggressive like Jamal Adams

While McCreary learns technique and skill from Sneed and Awuzie, he’s learning to be more aggressive from the Titans’ newest addition Jamal Adams.

Aggressive play near the line of scrimmage is the calling card of Adams, who is looking to reestablish his NFL presence after missing 24 games over the last two seasons. Injuries suffered while playing with the Seattle Seahawks seemingly derailed his career and had many wondering if he would play again.

Adams signed a one-year, $1.125 deal with the Titans on July 11, something he sees as a “prove it” deal.

One of the most physical safeties in the game during his time with the Seahawks and New York Jets, Adams has 21.5 sacks and 494 tackles in 80 career games. McCreary says he’s eager to grow the physical side of his game learning from Adams.

“I’ve seen his games, I know how he plays,” McCreary said about Adams. “He’s aggressive and I see how he is in that box. I’m trying to be aggressive like him.”

As the Titans continue through training camp, McCreary has a clear shot to be one of the Titans’ starting defensive backs. With Awuzie and Sneed ahead of him, he would slot as the nickel corner, a position that Adams has also played in his career.

With more defensive veteran leaders in the room, McCreary is also ready to establish himself as a leader.

“For me, I’m trying to be more of a vocal guy,” McCreary said. “We got new guys coming in, so my main goal is to be that vocal leader and set the example.”