How The Signing of Cornerback Tye Hill Can Help The Tennessee Titans

The Tennessee Titans have addressed their secondary needs by signing free agent Tye Hill.

Hill was poised to be one of the top defensive backs in the league coming into the 2006 season.

Selected 15th overall by the St. Louis Rams, he started 10 games his rookie season, registering 42 tackles and three interceptions, however, his luck ended there as in 2007 and 2008 he was on injured reserve by the end of each season.

Despite his injuries, here is how Tye Hill will affect the Tennessee Titans.

1. Hit or Miss

At one point, Hill was looked at as a "can't miss" player. He was an elite cornerback at Clemson and everyone figured that would translate into the NFL.

Eight games into his second season he was injured. The following season he was only able to play four games. Regardless, his tackles per game went up each year, which means he is not afraid of his injuries.

If Hill can stay healthy, he can possibly get back to his superstar potential and be a huge threat lined up opposite of Cortland Finnegan. If he continues to be injury prone he could find himself on his fourth team in six years next year.

2. Competition

Cornerback Rod Hood started four games last year for the Titans and registered three interceptions. Yet, when Nick Harper was healthy again, he was given his starting position back and Hood had to ride the bench.

This year, Harper is not being resigned and one can assume Hood has the job, however, Hill throws that assumption off a bit.

Both Hood and Hill have been starting cornerbacks in this league, so both will have to play above expectations to obtain that number two spot behind Finnegan. Hopefully this competition leads to better play by the entire secondary.

3. Speed

One thing Hill possesses that none of our other cornerbacks have is elite speed.

He holds the school record at Clemson for the 60 meter dash at 6.63 seconds. He also had one of the fastest recorded 40 yard dash times at 4.31 seconds. Chris Johnson now holds the fastest time.

4. Draft Day

Now that Hill has been signed that takes a need off our draft board.

With five cornerbacks on our team who are expected to make the team this year as well as a nickel safety, the Titans can focus elsewhere on draft day.

This pretty much solidifies the fact that the Titans will go defensive line in the first round, but the third round becomes much more of a mystery. 

Overall, I believe Hill could be a starter in the near future, however, I also think that Hood will have the start week one since he is familiar with the defensive system. Only time will tell what happens to Hill, but I certainly don't mind the acquisition.