Fairly positive article on White in Nashville Tennessean:
Young's in, why not White?
Rookie RB not drafted to replace starter; has struggled, been hurt
By PAUL KUHARSKY
Staff Writer
Rookie running backs are making their mark around the NFL, and the Titans are struggling to find any sort of run-game consistency.
They've handed over the offense to rookie quarterback Vince Young at a position where it's much more difficult to play early.
So why doesn't Tennessee look to its own rookie running back in a spot everyone agrees offers a much greater chance of early impact?
LenDale White, after all, was drafted 34 spots ahead of Atlanta's Jerious Norwood, and Norwood has run for 217 yards this season, just 64 yards less than the Titans in total.
White was drafted 15 spots ahead of Jacksonville's Maurice Jones-Drew, and Jones-Drew carries a 5.9 yards per carry average, nearly double the Titans' team average (3.0).
But White wasn't drafted to replace a departed starter, like the Colts' Joseph Addai was after the free agent departure of Edgerrin James.
The Titans' rookie looks at backs like New England's Laurence Maroney or New Orleans' Reggie Bush and also sees different situations than he has with the Titans.
"These guys have running backs that have been injured and down in front of them," White said. "I'm pretty sure if Travis (Henry) and Chris (Brown) go down I'll be the next guy up and they'll give me 25 carries. I feel like I can do the same thing.
"It's just about being patient and playing football. I love football. So I just feel like opportunities are going to come as long as you relax and you're patient. Everything will take care of itself. You can't force things."
White's time could be coming, however. Still, the Titans have some reasons why he hasn't earned his way to the front of the crowd.
During training camp, White missed time with a toe and knee injuries as well as the flu. Then he was suspended for a preseason game after a spitting incident at practice.
"When he's in shape and he's able to carry the ball as much as you want or as much as he needs to in order to uphold his part, then he'll probably play a lot," General Manager Floyd Reese said.
Said White: "Conditioning-wise I don't know if I can say I can take a 30-carry game, I've never took 30 carries a game in my life. I know I am capable of doing it. I don't know how gassed I would be at the end of the game, but if they call on me I would be more than willing and ready to do that."
Although Titans running backs coach Sherman Smith rates White as ready in terms of his run skills and blitz pick-up ability, he said White's struggles in the passing game are holding him back.
That's the quirky thing about it: Young being in the lineup could actually hurt White's chances at more snaps.
"For a rookie quarterback coming in, there is no doubt, you want to have that safety valve knowing you've got a little check-down to the running back, that he's right there sitting outside the tight end," Smith said. "We have to be able to do that to help him."
But there are indications that running accurate and timely routes has not been a strong suit for Brown or Henry either.
White rolled his eyes when asked about his work as a pass target, but quickly shifted into a serious answer.
"That's rookie mistakes with me," he said. "Just trying to help out a little bit too long in the blocking.
"When he drops back to pass, I'm trying to chip out (on an end) a little longer or stay around and make sure the (middle linebacker) is not coming. I just need to check-down faster. I told Vince, 'I'm there for you, just look for me.' "
When the Titans drafted White, his running potential and style drew immediate comparisons to Eddie George, the franchise's all-time rushing leader.
Many saw White as a bell cow brand of back who would be able to carry a big load, getting stronger as games move along.
In practices and limited game action, he looks to have a better ability to minimize the sort of losses and no- gains that were frequent with George. He may also bring more possibilities for breaking away from defenders.
"He's definitely a guy that has good speed, good size. He has great quickness and a great burst through the hole. He has good feet," Smith said.
"The only thing he doesn't have that Eddie had was Eddie's size. Eddie was just taller than this guy. But this guy is faster."
