Tennessee Titans: LB Sean Spence starting afresh
After some devastating injuries and two years away from the game from 2012-13, LB Sean Spence is starting afresh with the Tennessee Titans…
It seems like there are a wide variety of players in professional football calling it a career much earlier than many would have though due to protecting their bodies, so the case of linebacker Sean Spence feels like a rarity.
Spence was a third round pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers back in 2012, and ended up tearing his ACL and LCL that year. He was working his way back in 2013 when he broke a finger and was eventually placed on injured reserve again. He didn’t end up playing until 2014, and Spence said upon his arrival this past Spring in Tennessee that it affected him probably more than anyone knew.
“There were a lot of nights when I cried myself to sleep,’’ Spence said. “It was tough, real tough. I had some real dark times. I was going through rehab, and I was kind of in disbelief that I wasn’t playing. I’d played football every year since I was six years old, and here I was a spectator and having to watch other guys out there.”
The past two seasons, Spence started 13 games while playing in 31. He left the Steelers for what looks like a pretty good opportunity to contribute in Tennessee, and he has solidified a roster spot per those who cover the team.
It’s hard to argue when he’s making plays like this…
Spence was a dynamic player back in his days at Miami. He was known as an athletic linebacker/safety tweener by some who could play sideline to sideline and hit with a ton of force. Of course, Oakland Raiders rookie running back DeAndre Washington found that out the hard way…
Coming to Tennessee made a lot of sense for Spence with the presence of Dick LeBeau on the Titans’ coaching staff, and should provide him a pretty seamless transition scheme-wise.
It might be in a reserve role, but it’s pretty awesome to see Spence out on the field doing what he does best and playing at a high level, even if it is four or five years after many thought it might happen.