New General Manager Jon Robinson has raised the talent level on the Titans roster, and there's no greater proof of that than the players he's cut from the roster this week.
When he was hired in January, Robinson said he wanted to build the most competitive 90-man roster possible for training camp. The team's first round of cuts shows he accomplished that goal.
On Tuesday the Titans waived running back David Cobb to get down to the 75-man limit. A fifth round draft pick just last year, Cobb finished last season as the team's starting running back in week 17, rushing for 73 yards on 19 carries at Indianapolis. But he found himself in a training camp battle this season for a roster spot and has been passed on the depth chart by Antonio Andrews and Bishop Sankey.
Cobb is the third player cut that has started for the Titans' in recent seasons. Defensive End Ropati Pitoitua and cornerback Blidi Wreh-Wilson were waived on Sunday.
Pitoitua played 33 games for the Titans over the past three seasons, combining for 74 tackles and six sacks in 2013-14. He has seven years of NFL experience, but was no longer good enough to crack the lineup on a defensive line that figures to be one of the strengths of the Titans' roster.
Wreh-Wilson was a third round draft pick in 2013 and started 14 games over the past three seasons at cornerback. In addition, he saw significant action as the team's nickel back. The additions of veteran free agents Brice McCain and Antwon Blake and the emergence of young players like Cody Riggs, Kalan Reed and LeShaun Sims made Wreh-Wilson expendable.
In addition, Zach Mettenberger, who started 10 games at Quarterback for the Titans the past two seasons, was released by the team this spring. On Tuesday, he was cut again as the Chargers reduced their roster to 75.
Just two weeks ago, Robinson traded last year's second round pick, Dorial Green-Beckham, to the Eagles when it became clear he wasn't going to make an impact on this team.
The message is clear. The Titans are getting better and players must produce or they will be shown the door.
And there's still more cuts to come.
The Titans will have to trim the roster yet again, from 75 down to the 53-man regular season limit after Thursday's final preseason game in Miami. There will be more players on the chopping block that have had an impact in the past for the Titans, but no longer have a role on a team that has upgraded its talent across the board this season.
Will Justin Hunter make it? How about Bishop Sankey? Those are two former second round picks that haven't lived up to big expectations and could easily be looking for work come the weekend.
With 22 more cuts to make, the Titans will release some players that will turn heads around the league. That's a good sign.
Robinson did a heckuva job this offseason. The talent is now there. We'll see if the wins follow.
