Tenn. gets Vanden Bosch

[vince56]

1.5 sacks per season says apparently you can. How about that for a first post?

Bravo.

 

[Redheart]

1.5 sacks per season says apparently you can. How about that for a first post?

Welcome Treesquid. Cool name. I'll have a tuna-salad sandwich and a shot of Patron.

 

[Dback Jon]

Vanden Bosch adds depth for Titans

By JIM WYATT
Staff Writer



He's not a household name here, but the Titans hope Kyle Vanden Bosch will become one.

The free agent defensive end yesterday agreed to terms on a one-year deal with the Titans. He'll help fill the void left by Carlos Hall, traded to the Chiefs last week.

''He is that type of guy you are looking for, somebody that is young and has some experience, someone that plays hard,'' Titans Coach Jeff Fisher said on Friday, when Vanden Bosch visited Baptist Sports Park and underwent a physical. ''Listening to him, he is ready to play right now.''





Yesterday he agreed to a $540,000 contract (which includes a $25,000 signing bonus) instead of taking a deal worth more money from his former team, the Arizona Cardinals. He also received interest from the Bills and Falcons.

''(The Titans) said, 'We're a young team, we have some guys that are going to be good players in this league, and we kind of need a veteran guy to come in and give them a little leadership,' '' Vanden Bosch said. ''I look forward to doing that.''

Vanden Bosch was a second-round pick by the Cardinals in 2001 out of Nebraska, but he's had two major knee injuries as a pro.

He sat out the 2003 season after suffering a torn left ACL in a preseason game and missed most of the 2001 season after having surgery on his right knee. He started all 16 games in 2002 and had four sacks and played in all 16 games last season.

''I kind of had a run of bad luck with injuries in Arizona, and I just want to get a chance to get out on the field and a chance to kind of prove myself again,'' Vanden Bosch said. ''I think I'll be given a fair shot to do that in Tennessee.''

Vanden Bosch said he felt like he played at 75-80 percent last season after surgery but feels stronger now.

''I just go out there and play hard every down and chase the ball and play with intensity,'' he said. ''I didn't feel like I was able to do that last season, but I feel a lot better now and I am ready to get a new start.''

Vanden Bosch joins defensive ends Travis LaBoy, Antwan Odom and Bo Schobel, all rookies last season, on the Tennessee roster.

His agent, Tony Agnone, said Titans defensive line coach Jim Washburn told Vanden Bosch ''he would get a lot of work, not to worry, that his tongue would be hanging out.''

Vanden Bosch said that's fine with him.

''The coaches told me it is an aggressive defense that flies around and chases the ball and hits, and that is the way I play,'' he said. ''To me, it sounds like a perfect match, and I am real excited.''

Agnone compared Vanden Bosch to a young Chad Bratzke, the longtime Giants and Colts defensive end.

''He is so hard-working,'' Agnone said, ''when people see him in training camp they'll be shocked.''

Vanden Bosch file

Name: Kyle Vanden Bosch

Position: Defensive end

Height, weight: 6-4, 278

Hometown: Larchwood, Iowa

College: Nebraska

Drafted: Second round (34th overall) by the Arizona Cardinals in 2001

NFL experience: Entering his fifth season


Jim Wyatt covers the Titans for The Tennessean. Reach him at [email protected] or 259-8015.