NASHVILLE -- The Tennessee Titans' rookie locker room is connected to the team's main digs by a narrow hallway at the bottom of Nissan Stadium. On certain autumn Saturdays it becomes the home away from home for the Tennessee State University Tigers. But during the NFL exhibition season, it's where the Titans rookies dress, a symbolic bridge between the life they've left behind and the one they want to join.
It was also inside that locker room where former University of Tennessee at Chattanooga defensive tackle Derrick Lott kept his street clothes and valuables during Sunday night's 27-14 win over the St. Louis Rams.
"It's going pretty good," Lott said after pulling off his No. 75 game jersey following the 14 fourth-quarter plays in which he was on the field. "There's lots of responsibilities at this level. And the game's really physical. But I think I'm ready for it."
When you stand 6-foot-4, weigh 302 pounds and can accelerate out of your stance as Lott can, there's a very good chance that someone, somewhere will decide you're ready for the NFL, especially on a team that won only two games last season under then first-year coach Ken Whisenhunt.
And Lott already has had his share of moments this preseason after being signed as a free agent "about 15 minutes after the draft ended," in his words.
"He's definitely shown some flashes," said Mike Keith, the former Chattanooga resident and the Voice of the Titans. "He's got a chance."
One of those flashes came last week during practice.
"I made a good move off a blocker and made a sack (of reserve quarterback Alex Tanney)," Lott said. "That's been the highlight, I guess."
The bigger highlight would come a week from today, when rosters have to be trimmed to 75 from the Titans' current squad of 90 players. If Lott is still on the team after that cut, he must sweat out a final cut on Sept. 5 to find out if he's made the 53-man squad that will begin the regular season at Tampa Bay on Sept. 13.
Let Lott do no more than be retained on the practice squad and he'll earn $6,600 a week for every week he practices with the Titans. So if he were on the team the entire 17-week season, he could earn $112,200.
UTC's defensive linemen Derrick Lott does drills at the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis in February."Just to be with the organization all year, to learn the system, that would be great," Lott said. "I've been here since March and I like everybody in the organization. Everything is here for you. There's always something to eat. They've put me up in a hotel. You're paid enough to take care of any necessities you might have. It's been a good experience so far."
And while Lott won't yet make a prediction on how well the 2015 UTC team will do without him - "I'll make a pick after the first game," he said of the Mocs' opener against visiting Jacksonville State - he'll quickly praise the preparation he received in Chattanooga.
"They taught you maturity," Lott said. "Coach Russ (Huesman) and the position coaches taught you the importance of being responsible, of doing the right thing, of being on time."
Because a transfer and an injury made him a sixth-year player, the 25-year-old Lott's time is now. His physical maturity allowed him to sometimes overpower younger, less developed players at UTC. Those days are over now that he's in the NFL.
There's also concern that while the Titans had to feel good about landing an undrafted free agent who'd been projected as a fifth-round pick, new defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau's system is normally a 3-4 set (three down linemen). Even NFL.com wrote of Lott's potential before the draft: "Is a natural fit in a 4-3 defense."
Yet the website also said of the Kennesaw, Ga., native: "(He's) technically savvy. Has a good feel and instincts for where linemen are headed and where blocks are coming from. Excels with his hands."
His hands have also been good at using social media to keep up with former teammate Davis Tull, who's attempting to make the New Orleans Saints.
"Davis is probably the first person I'll text tonight," Lott said late Sunday. "And I talk to the UTC guys every chance I get. They always tell me, 'Go hard.'"
How hard Lott will have to go to make the Titans' final roster is unknown. There are 11 players listed as defensive linemen on the 90-man roster. Most believe Whisenhunt and LeBeau will keep no more than nine, possibly as few as eight, practice squad included.
But Titans starting offensive left tackle Taylor Lewan also believes Lott has the potential to make it.
"Derrick's very raw, but he's got talent," Lewan said following the St. Louis game. "If he keeps doing what he's doing, he's got an exciting future in front of him."
If that future starts with the Titans on Sept. 13, all the better. If it takes longer, if it takes another tryout with another team, Lott's ready for that also.
"I'd like to be out there more," he said. "But considering what I've overcome just to get here - the injuries, transferring from Georgia and all - I think it's a great accomplishment to even have a chance to play football at this level."
Contact Mark Wiedmer at mwiedmer@timesfreepress.com.