NASHVILLE, Tenn. – In conversations with many of you, I’m often asked how I can “not like” the Titans and still cover them.

The question drives me crazy, but it’s asked often enough that I felt like I should expound on the answer in this space. Now I will have something to point people to every time I am asked.FullSizeRender 19

I did a similar thing at ESPN.com in 2011, with a piece on how people accusing me of being biased every time I expressed an opinion were not really getting what it was I was doing.

First off, the notion that I “don’t like” the Titans makes it seems like there are strictly two options: Liking them or not liking them.

It’s not that simple.

I like reporting about them. I like a lot of people with the organization, long-timers and newcomers. Right now I like their plan, direction and a good share of their personnel. But I don’t like them like most of you like them. I don’t like them where I root for them or have an emotional investment in their success or failure.

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Well, I gave this my best effort as a first-time experiment.

I watched the game closely and cobbled together my notes from Jets 7, Titans 3 in an attempt to offer an observation on everyone who played for Tennessee.

I watched the game a second time to fill in around the initial stuff. At 3:13 a.m. CT I’m as ready as I can be to post this and try to get to sleep.

Let me know what you think.

2 WR Mekale McKay – Did not play (hamstring).

3 K-P Jordan Gay – Punted twice with a long of 37 and an average and net average of just 34 yards. Hit the Titans second kickoff 5 yards deep into the end zone.

4 K Ryan Succop – Hit a 36-yard field goal for the Titans’ only points. Put opening kickoff just into the end zone.

5 QB Tyler Ferguson – Got in only for two snaps while Alex Tanney was evaluated for a concussion. Handed off to Derrick Henry on the first, completed a 5-yard pass to Taywan Taylor on the second.

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- With DeMarco Murray out for Saturday night's game against the Jets at MetLife Stadium, Derrick Henry will be the first running back for the Tennesse Titans.

The guy who will come in after Henry has worked very hard to get in position to show he can help a 53-man roster.

David Fluellen spent some time with the Eagles and Colts befoe the Titans signed him at the start of 2015 training camp to add running back depth. He ranked way down the depth chart.

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IMG 1106 1NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Warren Moon recently shared details on how crucial a fingernail was to his grip and throwing motion.

That led me to ask Marcus Mariota about how he holds the ball.

His hands measure 9 7/8 at the combine. Teams are generally happy with anything over 9 1/2.

During a great chat with The Midday 180, Mariota discussed his lack of desire to be on social media and his determination to keep his private life private, his close friendship with Titans center Ben Jones, his mentoring of Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, the time he chose to run for punishment as opposed to yelling at a teammates at a high school practice, studying Aaron Rogers and waking up early in Hawaii to surf as part of Dawn Patrol.

After we wrapped up, he showed me his grip.

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- He's the judge on one-on-one battles that earn the offense or defense a  practice championship belt.

Wednesday he played a role in breaking up a fight.

And Thursday, he stood between blocking dummies and held aloft two taped up tennis rackets to make things harded on Marcus Mariota and the quarterbacks during 7-on-7 drills that don't include any linemen.

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. – As the Titans assessed their 2016 deficiencies and their receiving corps, they saw a lack of YAC.

Rarely did a player do a lot with the ball after he got it, and yards after the catch are something the team expects a lot more of with Corey Davis and Taywan Taylor now part of the group.

“That’s not a coachable trait,” Titans offensive coordinator Terry Robiskie said. “That’s just a trait that a guy’s got. You can catch it and take a 5-yard out and make a 25-yard play, take a 12-yard curl and make it a 40-yard play, take a 7-yard slant and make it an 80-yard touchdown. You don’t coach that one.”

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Titans have created a deceptive situation for Jonnu Smith in training camp.

The third-round, 6-foot-3, 248-pound tight end regularly stands beside others at the position. And next to Tim Semisch (6-8, 275), Jace Amaro (6-5, 265) and Phillip Supernaw (6-5, 255) ,Smith can actually look a bit small.

That he wears No. 81 doesn’t help either.

The most notable Titans who’ve worn the number in recent years were receivers, most of whom were not close to Smith’s thickness: Chris Sanders, Jake Schifino, Brandon Jones, Kevin Curtis and Andre Johnson.

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