A year ago, LenDale White was hoping predictions of his free-fall on the NFL draft board were just part of baseless speculation. They weren’t.
The Denver native and former Southern California standout running back tumbled from being a projected top-10 pick to No. 45, where Tennessee grabbed him after an offseason filled with concern over his weight and injuries.
As a new crop of players makes its final preparations attempting to avoid a similar fate, the memory remains fresh for White.
“To be honest, every time I think about it, it makes me upset,” White said last week after participating in the Titans’ offseason conditioning program. “But it makes me want to go out and work harder and prove that I should have been picked earlier. But I also want to show that coach (Jeff) Fisher and the Titans made the right decision.”
The Titans are counting on the Chatfield High School graduate. White said he has been told he has an opportunity to be the starting tailback this season as a replacement for Travis Henry, who signed with the Broncos.
White says he is mentally and physically prepared to be the Titans’ starting tailback. White didn’t wait to be asked about his weight in a brief interview. He brought up an Internet report last month that said he came to the conditioning program weighing 260 pounds. He said he reported at 250, and now weighs 245.
“I was not 260, let’s go to the source,” White said. “I’m good. People like talking about things, but my weight is good. I’m not going to let this opportunity pass by me. I am going to take advantage.
“Even though I fell in the draft, I am in a great situation. I love being on this team. We’re a good team, and I hope to make us better.”
White rushed for 244 yards on 61 carries as a rookie.
“I’ll show everyone I belong,” he said.
Count White among those who wish the Titans still had the services of cornerback Adam “Pacman” Jones, who was suspended this month by NFL commissioner Roger Goodell after a series of off-field incidents.
“It hurts that he won’t be there,” White said. “Honestly, Pac is a good guy. He is a great player and he is a good guy in the locker room.
“Our commissioner is taking an approach that he is not going to tolerate any problems. But I wish Pacman the best, and hope he comes back from this.”
Trade up
Word around the league is the Broncos, picking 21st, still want to move up the draft board, but haven’t found a willing trading partner. Such a move likely would come on draft day Saturday. Denver likely will dangle its two third-round picks.
The Broncos talked to Detroit about the No. 2 pick last month. But because of all the bonus money Denver has spent in the offseason, a more likely jump would be into the mid-teens.
Around the league
The Carolina Panthers are letting teams know they will be happy to keep defensive tackle Kris Jenkins if they can’t get a first- or early second-round pick for him. That still could be posturing because both sides seem ready for a new start. Denver would be interested, but not at a high price. … Expect the Broncos to wait until after the draft before looking at veteran linebackers. … Philadelphia may be shopping backup running back Ryan Moats. The Broncos had a strong interest when he came out of Louisiana Tech in 2005. … Notre Dame quarterback Brady Quinn isn’t universally loved. Some teams actually have him rated as a second-round pick. … If Daunte Culpepper gets cut by Miami, he could land in Jacksonville. The Jaguars could use a quarterback and Culpepper’s former coach at Minnesota, Mike Tice, is an assistant there. … Here’s one game Denver hopes NBC doesn’t choose as a flex game in December: Broncos hosting Kansas City on Dec. 9. Denver plays a Thursday night game Dec. 13 at Houston. Last year, the Broncos’ home game against San Diego was moved to night, then they played on Thanksgiving at Kansas City. The Broncos don’t want to play at night then hit the road on a short week again.
Bill Williamson can be reached at 303-954-1262 or bwilliamson@denverpost.com.
