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Ryan Tannehill says he's not angry about fluke talk, but will play say differently?

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Ryan Tannehill is surely booming with confidence after an NFL comeback player of the year season during which he posted Joe Montana-esque numbers, joining the Hall of Famer as the second modern-era quarterback to connect on over 70 percent of his passes while averaging over 9 yards per attempt.

Those numbers are stamped on Tannehill’s 2019 season, when he came off the bench to replace an anemic Marcus Mariota after six games and led the Titans to the AFC Championship Game.

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He’s been given a couple of chances to comment on the idea that the season was a fluke or that he and the Titans are being underestimated as they prepare for a follow-up campaign.

Again, on Wednesday’s edition of The Midday 180, he passed on such a chance, parrying any such opinions away as inconsequential.

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With fines not sparking action from Vic Beasley, Titans sadly lack leverage

With fines not sparking action from Vic Beasley, Titans sadly lack leverage

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Vic Beasley’s been absent for a week, long enough that the story of him leaving the Titans hanging has faded from headlines. Thus, the one above.

Jon Robinson issued a statement three days after Beasley failed to report to camp in which where the GM said he’d made contact and made it clear the absence was unexcused and where he said Beasley said he “will be reporting to camp in the near future.”

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(Photo courtesy Atlanta Falcons.)

Wednesday will be five days into that near future.

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Harold Landry has split views on less-is-more concepts

Harold Landry has split views on less-is-more concepts

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – In one regard, Harold Landry is not big on the less is more concept. In another football realm, he is.

Shane Bowen said in early June he needed to find ways to reduce Landry’s snaps so he doesn’t get worn down and can be at his best on the Titans’ key third downs.

Conveyed that, Landry said he liked that Bowen wanted to take on any blame for it, but that it was “more me than him” that he tailed off after nine sacks in 12 games with none the rest of the way.LandryAug32020

He called that a “cold spurt” he’s not worried about happening this year.

As for Bowen...

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Arthur Smith doesn't want to say too much yet about Darrynton Evans, but Ryan Tannehill will

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Continuity is the keyword for the Titans on offense and the personnel is largely the same coming off a big 2019.

Still, Arthur Smith smartly offered a reminder during a Friday media Zoom that the team still has to “start over.”

He said he’s opened the creative vault in an offseason where he was not able to deal with players in person and watching him add to an offense that was really able to push the ball downfield should be incredibly interesting.evans darrynton 2

(Photo courtesy Appalachian State athletics.)

In terms of weaponry, the new element he has is a guy expected to be an upgrade as the change-up back, third-rounder Darrynton Evans.

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Why I am actually OK with Logan Woodside as the Titans' backup QB

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – I question the Titans’ strategy at kicker. I question their depth at receiver. I question the caliber of their returners. I now question the signing of Vic Beasley.

But of the questions on the Titans' current roster, I’m actually OK with Logan Woodside as the backup quarterback.

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Contact with Vic Beasley, promise to report shouldn't ease concerns for Titans

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Titans love to talk about their focus being on guys who they have with them. It's a reliable cliche.

But they better be wildly concerned about the player who says he will report soon.

Their biggest veteran offseason addition, Vic Beasley, decided to show up to camp when he feels like it.

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It took them three days to merely make contact with him.

That does not suggest to me he's a guy who fits the "team-first, loves-football" mold and mantra they have worked so hard to build. Name a new guy and he fits under that umbrella. The early bit of evidence on Beasley, who Robinson said will "be reporting to camp in the near future" certainly doesn't suggest he fits, and he'll have to work hard to qualify.

There is no better way to get started than to embarrass the GM who signed you and the coach who's been counting on you.

I’ve texted Beasley and called him several times, including again just before posting this, getting only his voicemail.

Later Thursday, there was this:

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Titans' preseason will include some level of tackling at some point

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – No preseason games. No workouts against other teams.

From now until the Titans start off Sept. 14 in Denver, presuming all goes well for the NFL and opening weekend is played, there is so much football to prepared for but so little real football to be played.

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Coaches fear live, to-the-ground contact when they are working with just their team. Getting a healthy team to the first game is the No. 1 mission, and if sloppy play is a result of that when things get started, so be it.

For younger players who Mike Vrabel and his staff must evaluate in an irregular preseason, there may simply be no way to avoid live periods of practice or some scrimmage situations.

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Silence on Vic Beasley absence is odd; AWOL time will cost him $50,000 a day if unexcused

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- So Vic Beasley being placed on the "Reserve – Did Not Report" list is quite curious.

And what makes it more so is that I am updating this this at 10:30 pm CT Tuesday evening -- about six hours after the Titans announced their roster moves. There has been zero indication of what's up.Beasley1

(Photo courtesy of the Atlanta Falcons.)

Not a peep for me from team sources, Beasley sources or anyone I can think of who might have had so much as a hint or know someone who might have. [Unlocked]

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