Tennessee Titans: Tim Shaw Goes 'Behind Enemy Lines,' Works Out with Lions

Tennessee Titans linebacker Tim Shaw worked out with the Detroit Lions last week while he prepared for his youth football camp in Livonia, MI.

Shaw grew up in Michigan and was the 2001 Michigan Gatorade Player of the Year at Clarenceville High School in Livonia before heading to Penn State. His professional career has taken him to Carolina, Jacksonville, Chicago and now Tennessee.

Shaw was kind enough to sit down with Bleacher Report and discuss those workouts, the football camp and lockout life in general.

On the Football Camp

Shaw's football camp, named "Dream It, Do It," is in its second year in Livonia, MI and is a free camp designed for kids from fourth grade all the way up until 12th grade. The group is split demographically as well, with many kids in attendance who might not be able to afford other football camps.

Tim explained that there was plenty of talent on display this year, and while he couldn't name names, he definitely felt some of the older kids in attendance had college football in their future.

"Most importantly, we want to affect kids in a positive way. Yeah, you can learn football, but hopefully learn life lessons as well."

On His Workout with the Detroit Lions

A few years ago, Shaw stumbled upon the Total Performance Training Center in Wixom, MI. He was approached by Jim Kielbaso, director of Total Performance, who offered to help the pro get even better.

While Shaw was initially reluctant, his decision to take Kielbaso's advice has paid dividends. 2010 marked Shaw's best statistical year and the first year he saw considerable time on defense as well as special teams. He was considered important enough to the Tennessee Titans that the team tendered him to restricted free agency before the lockout began.

When Kielbaso started training some Detroit Lions, they—specifically Lions captain Kyle Vanden Bosch—told the trainer to bring Shaw along to train with the "enemy."

About training with another team, Shaw said, "There's so much to relate to (each other), that feeling goes away quickly."

Shaw called the event a "sharpening session" and said that it's always nice to have other pros around to keep himself accountable and to push him to be better.

On Life in the Lockout and 2011 Plans

The NFL lockout has made this offseason significantly different for Shaw, who misses working out daily with his teammates and definitely misses the nice facilities at Baptist Sports Park in Nashville. 

Most of all, Shaw says he misses one activity he has usually relished and taken full advantage of—watching tape:

"I really miss all that study, studying myself and my teammates, studying my opponents."

Shaw has always believed that the offseason should be about staying ready and preparing for the next season, but there's no question that the lockout has made that exceedingly difficult this summer.

All signs point to Shaw being with the Tennessee Titans next season. When league business resumes, most experts believe that restricted free agency will still be a factor and that Shaw will be eligible. More importantly, Shaw wants to be a Titan, saying that he would "explore options if something came up" but also making it very clear that he's happy with his current surroundings.

Michael Schottey is an on-call editor for the Bleacher Report College Writing Internship, as well as an NFL Featured Columnist and an NFL Labor/Draft Expert. A member of the Pro Football Writers of America, he has professionally covered the Minnesota Vikings and the Detroit Lions, as well as NFL events like the Scouting Combine and the Senior Bowl. Follow him on Twitter.