A few player notes from Mike Mularkey’s breakfast conversation at the NFL owners meetings in Phoenix, where ESPN.com's John Keim asked some questions on my behalf and passed along audio:
The running back answer is the same.
As he does every time he’s asked about DeMarco Murray and Derrick Henry, Mularkey said Murray is the No. 1 back and a workhorse for the Tennessee Titans, and Henry is an alternative good at making the most of chances.
Murray’s workload is not an issue.
"He's very well-conditioned, even with his toe (injury) last year you look at him and he was still pretty effective," Mularkey said. "He's a tough guy, he fits our style, as Derrick does. I'm not worried about wearing him down."
Multiple safeties will continue to play -- even after the addition of Johnathan Cyprien -- who Mularkey said can also be the nickel linebacker -- and the maturation of Kevin Byard.
"I think it was good the way we did things last year," Mularkey said. "That’s how we felt about our depth at safety. I think we still have a deep position there. So I see it continuing that way."
Da'Norris Searcy is the third safety, and two other veterans -- Rashad Johnson and Daimion Stafford -- are free agents who have not signed elsewhere. The Titans could draft a safety.
Look for Phillip Supernaw to get an expanded role with the post Anthony Fasano Titans.
Fasano left for Miami as a free agent. He was an excellent blocking tight end last season.
"He’s improved every year we’ve had him," Mularkey said of Supernaw. "It’s not like we have to find a point-of-attack tight end. We feel like we have some guys on the roster capable of doing that."
The other such option would be Jerome Cunningham.
Delanie Walker's role won’t change much, and the Titans are virtually certain to draft a tight end considering Walker is 32 and Supernaw has had concussion issues.
The Titans are expecting Sebastian Tretola to compete.
In his second year, can Tretola unseat one of the Titans starting guards -- Quinton Spain or Josh Kline?
"I hope so, that's why he's here," Mularkey. "He should be (ready), he's capable of challenging. It's really up to him."
Spain was better than Kline in 2016.
Mularkey also spoke as if newcomer Tim Lelito can challenge for an interior line spot, though this looks like Brian Schwenke's replacement.
Lelito might also have a great camp battle with third-tackle Dennis Kelly for work as a tight end in a jumbo package.
Mularkey is curious about second-year receiver Tajae Sharpe.
"I think he needs to come back in here and show that he's been doing something this offseason to improve," Mularkey said. "I haven't seen him, so when he comes back here in April, it'll be a good chance to see what he's been doing to try to improve his game."