NASHVILLE, Tenn. – We have no idea what kind of college head coach Eddie George will be.

We know full well he’s a determined guy who’s taken on a variety of career interests and projects and done well, from a wealth management business to acting on Broadway.

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Now he will apply that focus to overseeing the football program at Tennessee State, drawing attention to the Ohio Valley Conference school that it’s not had since its glory years under John Merritt that included seven HBCU national championships spanning from 1965 to 1982. [Unlocked.]

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TevenJenkinsNASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Titans' needs list is long as the draft approaches, topped by receiver, cornerback, edge rusher and tight end.

Some analysts, depending on just how deep they go, are including right tackle on there.

And on NFL Network Charley Casserly recently paired the Titans with a prospect at the position: Oklahoma State’s Teven Jenkins. (Photo courtesy Oklahoma State athletics.)

“For the Titans, it’s a no-brainer,” Casserly said, per the transcription of Shaun Calderon. “This guy is going to be better than Jack Conklin who they selected in the top-10.” Casserly also has the Colts liking Jenkins.

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RashodBatemanNASHVILLE, Tenn. – Because the defense was so bad we’ve spent a lot of time talking about that side of the ball.

But with the loss of Arthur Smith, Corey Davis, Jonnu Smith and Adam Humphries, there is a lot of work to be done on the Titans’ offense.

Todd Downing’s got a huge challenge in trying to sustain the high level of play that has been the keystone of the team for the last two years.

Josh Reynolds is now in the receiver mix, and when he spoke to the media he pegged himself as a Davis replacement.

I’m not sure he can be that, and talked to some around the league about his potential back when he signed.

After we knew Humphries was a money and injury cut and Davis was gone as a free agent, my wish list for the Titans included a Davis-like replacement with more speed but more significantly a receiver with more juice and a more expansive route tree.

While Smith, Rob Moore and Ryan Tannehill did great work highlighting what Davis did best – often getting him the ball on the move with crossers and slants – it would be ideal if the next guy could do more.

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Scout's Take: The Titans' cornerback draft prospect file

By BLAKE BEDDINGFIELD, special correspondent

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Cornerback for the Titans is an immediate need after the release of Malcolm Butler and Adoree’ Jackson and the free-agent departure of nickel corner Desmond King.

The Titans drafted Kristian Fulton in the second round in 2020. Fulton played very little during the season because of injuries and also because he was playing behind other players.

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Georgia corner Eric Stokes at pro day/ Tony Walsh

The Titans will lean heavily on the inexperienced Fulton and need him to produce at a high level in his second year. The free-agent signings of Janoris Jenkins and Kevin Johnson gives the team veteran options, but neither are upgrades or even equal value to Butler or Jackson.

Tennessee will need to draft a cornerback in the premium rounds to add to the mix of veteran and second-year players.

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Titans announced Tuesday morning that Jim Schwartz is now a senior defensive assistant on Mike Vrabel's Tuesday morning.

His original function with the organization was undefined, with a consultant feel and a to-be-determined feel. Monday sources were telling people Schwartz "had a role" with the team. 

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Photo: 2008 Titans' media guide

It's now been determined, as Brent Dougherty first reported Monday. “We are excited to add Jim to our staff,” Mike Vrabel said in a press release. “He has a deep level of football knowledge and has overseen a great deal of success on the defensive side of the ball, so it always good to add a quality coach to our staff. This role will provide our defensive staff with Jim’s experience and perspective in the staff meetings and on the practice field.”

I retract my complaint about Vrabel's failure to add a significant outside voice to his defensive staff.

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TitansLogoGlassNASHVILLE, Tenn. – Jim Schwartz is back. Kind of.

It’s not in the role initially reported by Brent Dougherty, as a senior assistant. At least not yet. [UPDATE, Wednesday morning: The Titans announced Schwartz is their "senior defensive assistant." Hat tip to Dougherty who had it  Fresh story coming.]

Sources tell me that for right now it amounts to a consultant job that may entail a few days a week. Its final shape has not yet been determined, though Schwartz may have been at work for several weeks already.

As the 2020 season ended, reports said Schwartz would let his contract as Eagles' defensive coordinator expire and take a year off, perhaps contemplating retirement. Philadelphia wound up firing head coach Doug Pederson.

Schwartz maintains a home in Nashville and one in Maryland.

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Mike Vrabel has never really said anything particularly forthcoming, informative or illustrative about Shane Bowen.

He didn’t again Monday, when he spoke to the media for the first time since the 2020 season ended, answering questions about officially giving the defensive coordinator the defensive coordinator title by saying Bowen is the defensive coordinator.

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Shane Bowen and Mike Vrabel/ Pool photo by George Walker, The Tennessean

Before I try to understand why that is, let’s take a look at some of what Vrabel had told us about Bowen since one of the head coach’s original hires got a bigger profile when Dean Pees retired as defensive coordinator following the 2019 season.

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