Titans receiver Roydell Williams was believed to be on the verge of a breakout year in 2008.  A broken ankle suffered in a non-contact practice drill in the week before the team’s playoff appearance at the end of the 2007 season has prevented him from practicing in the offseason, and has opened the door to the starting lineup to Justin McCareins.

“It is frustrating,” Coach Jeff Fisher said, according to the Tennesseean.  “But his injury was significant; his surgery was significant.  We knew it was going to take some time.  No one has panicked.  Roydell knows what to do and he is working hard.  When he is ready he’ll be right back where he was.”

New offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger is singing a slightly more ominous tune.  “I don’t know anything about [Williams],” Heimerdinger said, suggesting that Heimerdinger perhaps has no access to 2007 game films.  “I’ve done with Roydell what I do with everybody and that’s not to make up my mind until I see them.  I don’t know what all those guys were asked to do last year or how they were asked to run routes or any of the things Roydell has done.  I know he has been successful and done some things, but until I see him and see what he does, I am not going to make up my mind on Roydell at all.”

Justin Gage and McCareins are projected to be the season-opening starters.  Biren Ealy, Brandon Jones, rookie Lavelle Hawkins, and former first-round flame-out Mike Williams are competing for reps.