NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Perrish Cox isn't shy on the football field.
Anyone within earshot of the Titans cornerback is fair game, even in practices.
"I like to talk trash,'' Cox said. "I like to get everybody riled up. Talk back to me, because I can get better with that also. I just think that helps everybody.
"(I talk trash to) everybody, even the DBs. I am going to get the first pick. Do this. Beat me. … I am not going to win every battle, but it is going to make everybody better. As long as we talk trash to each other and get better than helps out."
Cox, who's heading into his second season with the Titans, hopes to back up his talk in training camp.
Coach Mike Mularkey said the initial plan is for Cox to compete with cornerback Brice McCain for the starting spot opposite Jason McCourty.
"There may be some competition in the secondary at the corner spot. We're going to let them compete," Mularkey said of Cox and McCain. "We're working them both in with the ones and giving them an opportunity to compete against each other."
A veteran with five years of experience, Cox looked good during the offseason. He got his hands on footballs, and was in good shape at the start following a season when he missed three games, and dealt with a hamstring injury.
The Titans signed McCain, formerly with the Dolphins, in March. One of McCain's strengths is playing in the slot, but Cox also has experience there as well.
"I'm not really worried about that part,'' Cox said of the competition. "Whoever they want in there, that's their choice. But as far as competing wise, I think that's a good thing. They're making both of us compete, if not all of us. Even the players that aren't competing for the starting job, it's a good thing to have to get in there and make plays. But I know what I'm going to do. I'm going to get in there and make plays regardless. I'm going to do what I have to do to help this team, and whatever direction they want to go, I'm cool with that."
The Titans have plenty of new faces in the secondary.
In addition to McCain, the team also signed former Steelers cornerback Antwon Blake, and drafted Kalan Reed and LeShaun Sims. Blidi Wreh-Wilson, Cody Riggs, and B.W. Webb all return from a year ago, in addition to Curtis Riley, who has also worked at safety this offseason.
McCourty is back and healthy after missing most of last season.
Cox, who played with the Broncos, 49ers and Seahawks before joining the Titans prior to last season, said he's been impressed by what he's seen from the secondary this offseason. Cox has seven career interceptions, including six with the 49ers in 2014 and one with the Titans last year.
"Overall we came together as a team, and we made a lot of plays,'' Cox said of the defense. "Guys came in and did what they needed to do, learn the playbook real quick. … Coach (Dick) LeBeau was very proud of us the way we did that. By us getting our hands on the ball it gives us a lot of confidence. …We are getting better.
"And competition is always the best… I think that helps everybody and that helps us get work in."
