By JIM WYATT
The Tennessean

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- New Tennessee Titans receiver Tyrone Calico blew scouts away with his blazing speed leading up to the draft, though his fastest time might have come since it.

Anyone standing in the Memphis airport when Calico received word on his cell phone that his former Middle Tennessee State teammate, running back Dwone Hicks, had agreed to a free-agent contract with the Titans could probably vouch for that.

"People probably thought I was crazy," said Calico, the Titans' second round draft choice. "Dwone I guess was playing a joke on me. He was trying to sound real sad. He told me, 'I couldn't find anybody to sign me except one team.' I was like, 'Who is that?' He said, 'Tennessee.' ... I was walking, and all of a sudden I just started running. I am really excited to say the least."

It's true, the former college roommates have be re-united with the Titans after Hicks signed a free agent contract with the team Monday after being passed over in this weekend's draft. In all, the Titans have now either signed or agreed to terms with 34 players who weren't drafted during the seven-round NFL Draft.

Among the most recognizable names: Alabama quarterback Tyler Watts, Washington State quarterback Jason Gesser, Alabama guard Marico Portis, Kentucky cornerback Derrick Tatum, Michigan State safety Thomas Wright, Iowa linebacker Fred Barr, Wisconsin defensive tackle Jake Sprague, Tennessee safety Steven Marsh and Hicks, who rushed for more than 1,000 yards three straight years at MTSU.

Titans General Manager Floyd Reese believes there's a good chance at least a couple players from the group of 34 could make the team's 53-man roster out of training camp.

"A lot of times in the past (the undrafted) kids were just brought in as fodder and after they've been beaten up pretty good, you send them on their way," Reese said. "Well, I think now they are going to come in and compete, and they have a better chance of making it than they used to because of the cap situation as much as anything else."

A year ago, 59 undrafted players made NFL rosters out of training camp, including Titans running back John Simon. Current Titans like receiver Drew Bennett, quarterback Billy Volek, defensive end Juqua Thomas and linebacker Brad Kassell also weren't drafted.

The 5-9, 217-pound Hicks, who rushed for 3,613 career yards at MTSU, thinks he can be the next surprise. The Philadelphia Eagles, Kansas City Chiefs, Jacksonville Jaguars, Pittsburgh Steelers and Green Bay Packers were also interested in Hicks, but he decided on the Titans, who actually had a fourth-round draft grade on him, according to Reese.

"I just feel good about what everybody was telling me, about what (Reese) was telling me about my chances of making the team. What better place to try and go out there and win people over than at home?" Hicks said. "Hopefully they will see something in me that they'll want to keep me on the team. ... I know I'll be practicing with a chip on my shoulder. I think I should have been drafted, so now I want to show what I can do."

Calico likes his chances.

"I think he has a great shot," he said. "Once they see his work ethic, they will be impressed. I think he is going to surprise a lot of people."

Hicks will face an uphill climb on a roster with running backs Eddie George, Robert Holcombe, Simon and the team's third-round draft pick on Saturday, Colorado's Chris Brown. The Titans ended last season with just three running backs on their roster, though they also had two fullbacks. Reese promised Hicks, along with the rest of the undrafted players, would be given a chance.

Aside from Hicks, on their pre-draft board the Titans also had a fourth round grade on Alabama's Portis, and a fifth-round grade on Tatum. Reese said the Titans had draftable grades on 17 of the 34 players.

Washington State's Gesser comes with great credentials after throwing for 3,408 yards and 28 touchdowns last season en route to being named co-Pac 10 Player of the Year along with USC's Carson Palmer, the No.1 pick of the entire draft. He'll compete with Volek and Watts. Reese said the Titans also hope to still re-sign veteran Neil O'Donnell.

The group of undrafted free agents also includes a fullback, five receivers, two tight ends, seven offensive linemen, eight defensive linemen, three linebackers and five defensive backs.

The Titans now have 87 players, though Reese said he expects that number to grow with the signing of veteran free agents and possibly a few more undrafted players.

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Titans undrafted free agents

Pos. Player College

QB Jason Gesser, Washington St.

QB Tyler Watts, Alabama

RB Dwone Hicks, MTSU

FB R.J. Luke, W. Illinois

WR Jerome Riley, Washington St.

WR Aaron Overton, Drake

WR Aaron Dingle, S.F. Austin

WR Bryan Peterson, N.C. State

WR Detronn Harris, W. Georgia

TE John Hampton, SMU

TE Theo Sanders, Alabama

G Reggie Poole, Jacksonville St.

G Derrick Roche, Washington St.

G Marico Portis, Alabama

G Jake Kuppe, Minnesota

C John Garrison, Nebraska

C Jamal Powell, TCU

T Mario Branch, Miss. Valley

DT Jake Sprague, Wisconsin

DT Richard Harris, Indiana State

DT Jon Clanton, Nebraska

DT Dustin Barno, E. Stroudsburg

DT Cedric Harden, Murray State

DE Nick Burley, Fresno State

DE Josh Jeffries, Appalachian St.

DE Anthony Dunn, N. Colorado

LB Lee Jackson, Texas

LB Vince Walker, S.F. Austin

LB Fred Barr, Iowa

CB Derrick Tatum, Kentucky

CB Rober Freeman, Clark Atlanta

S Thomas Wright, Michigan State

S Steven Marsh, Tennessee

S Jesse Howells, Houston

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