Shorter offseason will reduce rookie expectations for Titans, across NFL

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Rookie camp, OTAs, minicamp, training camp and preseason games and more important for rookies than for anyone.RyanOakland

Much of that is likely to be erased and other elements condensed due to the coronavirus pandemic. This leads me to expect that whatever brand of 2020 NFL season we see – if we see one at all – will have as little overall impact rookie impact as any season in memory.

I texted with a scout Tuesday about the idea, and specifically about the rookie learning curve at the positions where the Titans seem destined to be counting on rookies.

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My NFL All-Decade ballot

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Some successful players' careers don't neatly break down into a decade, with a good part coming in one and a good part coming in the next.

As far as NFL All-Decade Teams go for them, they made not fit.

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But plenty do, with enough of their great body of work fitting. Monday the All-Decade Team for the 2010s was announced. It was voted on by the Pro Football Hall of Fame Selection Committee. 

Here it is:

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Titans mail: Potential restructures, speed receivers and trading out of 29

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Greetings all, from my homes to what I imagine is yours.

I hope things are going well for you and that a big weekend is underway. Over here I am contemplating cleaning up my office yet again, but the smart bet is always against it.PepperFans

Here's this week's pod which you should not have missed, with my guest Buck Reising.

Onto the best questions you've thrown my way. 

There are some. But it’s dangerous. You have to see an absolute certainty in a guy to do it. And it’s not really how the Titans

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Jeffery Simmons played in nine of 10 regular-season games after coming off the Titans' non-football injury list in his rookie season and was also part of their three playoff games.

But the ACL tear he suffered in Feb. of 2019 as he prepared for the combine left him with enough of an issue after his rookie year that he qualifies as a rehabilitation player for Tennessee right now.SimmonsChargers

Mike Vrabel said in a Wednesday media conference call that Simmons is working with the team's director of sports medicine Todd Torischelli and strength coach Frank Piraino. [Unlocked]

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. – From the start of his tenure as Titans coach in 2018, Mike Vrabel has never once griped about the rules.

He generally won’t even open up on how he thinks something should work or how a rule should be written.VrabelBAL

He consistently talks about taking what he’s given, desiring the most clear understanding he can get of the level playing field in front of him and working to do better than the competition on it.

It’s no surprise then, that Vrabel is taking the same approach to the NFL landscape with regard to the shutdown and limitations set forth by the coronavirus. [Unlocked]

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. – After the Titans put the franchise tag on him, Derrick Henry told the team he wanted to iron out a long-term deal and the team told him the feeling was mutual, Jon Robinson said Wednesday.

Thursday the running back signed the $10.2 million tag.

Still, as the Titans work to fill other areas of their roster, the timeline Robinson gave Wednesday for further conversations didn’t make it sound like any talks are coming soon.HenryJaguars2

“I’ve spoken to his representatives after we used the tag,” Robinson said in a conference call with the Titans’ press corps Wednesday afternoon. “We want to continue to have those conversations and those back-and-forths in hopes of reaching some type of long term agreement. [Unlocked]

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If the NFL schedule winds up trimmed...

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The NFL hopes to play a full 2020 schedule even if it has to push back

The league, I think most of us would agree, should push back the final formulation and release of the schedule from April so if there is a pushback they won’t have to re-release an adjusted version.

Peter King has written about the idea that division games be relatively backloaded in order to better ensure they are all played if the front end of the schedule gets chipped off, so true division champs can be crowned.

I hate that idea.

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Titans: The massive mailbag, including my current pick at 29

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Welcome to the massive mailbag where I try to answer questions and allay concerns in one big weekend read.

TRacKronos

I hope it helps fill some time you'd have spent watching some Sweet 16 and other games on the tube and I hope, beyond a lot of reading, you're filling your days beyond work, with board games and H-O-R-S-E and family walks and talks and maybe naps.

Let's dive into what is on your mind...

Here is the piece you are referring to, David. I'd say we need to evaluate the 24, actually. We need to consider both three wides and two tight ends on offense and a front seven plus a nickel set on defense.

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