Tennessee Titans: Why Eugene Amano Must Not Remain a Starter

There's only a few more days until the much anticipated 2012 NFL draft period begins, followed closely by what should be a very interesting scramble in the second half of the NFL free-agency period.

One thing any Titans follower knows heading into these two major markets of franchise improvement is that the Titans must and will set their sights on improving the interior of the team's offensive line.

The team has already made one adjustment to the unit, letting right guard Jake Scott walk and signing former Pro Bowl left guard Steve Hutchinson.

While guard was definitely an area of concern heading into the offseason, the worst performing player on the offensive line last season, by far, was center Eugene Amano. 

There's a reason coach Mike Munchak seems to have a continuous parade of centers coming in for visits.

According to Pro Football Focus' rating system, Amano has consistently been a liability on running plays even when he was the Titans' starting left guard. 

Since moving to center, Amano's level of play has fallen off precipitously from his mediocre days at guard. In his two seasons as the Titans' starting center, Amano ranked as the league's worst starting center in 2010 and finished 32nd out of 35 in 2011, also according to Pro Football Focus.

The loss of Kevin Mawae after the 2009 season has left a gaping hole on a unit that was once a team of strength.

Munchak can sugarcoat things all he wants, but it has become exceedingly clear that a change is needed at the position.

The team has already whiffed on Chris Meyers, Scott Wells, Jeff Saturday and Dan Koppen. So who are the viable options left if the team doesn't find a replacement via the draft?

Jeff Faine came in for a visit last week, but PFF shows that he's been only slightly better than Amano over the last two years.

Jamaal Jackson has been linked to the Titans for some time now, but nothing has happened.

In 2009, Jackson was on his way to being a perennial top-10 center until tearing his ACL the final week of the season, followed by suffering a torn triceps muscle in the season opener the following year.

In 2011, he lost his starting job to a rookie selected in the sixth round of last year's draft. Things have obviously spiraled out of control for him, but he remains a promising candidate if he can return to form.

Sixteen-year vet Casey Wiegmann would be a solid one-year option if he decides not to retire. He has been one the league's better starting centers despite being in the latter stages of his career.

Ultimately, it's slim pickings if the Titans don't find someone in the draft to take over as the leader of the offensive line. 

Drafting Wisconsin center Peter Konz at No. 20 would be reaching and drafting for need (a deadly combination)—guess you'll just have to wait to see before deciding which veteran center option to like the most.