Kyle Vanden Bosch deserves his spot on Pro Football Hall of Fame's list of 108 nominees

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Every guy who was a great player for a franchise should see his name on the list of modern era Pro Football Hall of Fame nominees at least once.KVB

I was pleased to help ensure the hardest-working player I’ve ever been around, defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch, was on the 2018 list revealed last night.

The guy was an absolute terror, and in 21 seasons around the NFL I’ve never seen more work or effort out of a guy.

He’s not a Hall of Famer, but he certainly deserved to be nominated in his first year of eligibility.

He was one of the best defensive ends in the NFL for a short time. Injuries hurt him at the start of his career with Arizona in 2001. In 11 seasons with the Cardinals, Titans and Lions he played in 152 games and started 137, recording 58 sacks.

Write comment (0 Comments)

Corey Davis' strong debut included mistakes to clean up

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – If the dreams of the Tennessee Titans’ pan out, we will be talking about Corey Davis’ first catch for a long time.

Marcus Mariota threw a 23-yard pass over Oakland cornerback David Amerson, who was very well positioned. But Davis timed his leap well, rose to high-point the ball, grabbed it with two hands and fell to the ground, cradling a third-and-8 conversion.DavisOAK

Mariota ran 10 yards for a touchdown on the next play.

A team traditionally starving for receivers has revamped the position since the Jon Robinson-Mike Mularkey takeover. Detailed and precise pass-catchers are now the priority. With the fifth pick in the draft, they decided Davis, who played at Western Michigan, brought those qualities along with the sort of supreme athleticism that made him worthy of that slot.

Write comment (0 Comments)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Things don't look good in Jacksonville.

With resources likely needing to be focused on far more important matters than a football game, and the condition of EverBank Field unknown, the Titans-Jaguars game may not be able to be played as planned.

The Jaguars already have a seven-game home schedule because of a "home" game in London this season.

The same was true for the Dolphins, whose Week 1 game against the Buccaneers was rescheduled because of Hurricane Irma. That matchup will now be played in Miami on Nov. 19, when both teams had been slotted for a bye.

It's certainly a case-by-case basis, but that set a precedent for not taking away a home game and gate from a team that will be playing in London. So I think neutral site solution is unlikely, but I've included it in your options here.

I know you are Titans fans who want what is best for your team. I also hope you're keeping football in perspective and feel compassion for the Jaguars, their families and their community.

What's fair if the Jaguars can't host Sunday?
Take this week off, play the game on Oct. 29, both teams' bye week.
Flip the series, with the Dec. 31st regular season finale played in Jacksonville.
Play this weekend, Sunday afternoon or Monday night, at a neutral site.
Do Quizzes
 
Write comment (0 Comments)

Titans need to force the issue running the ball vs. Jaguars

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – At the end, the Titans abandoned the run out of necessity in Sunday's 26-16 loss to the Raiders Sunday.

Murray2OAKBut a 41-to-21 pass-to-run ratio isn’t something a run-determined team can have very often, and the equation Mike Mularkey would prefer we use when measuring such things seems a bit much to me.

“We went into no huddle late in the third quarter, early fourth, a lot of that dictated throwing the ball more than running the ball,” Mularkey said. “Obviously 2 minute (drill), definitely you’re going to throw the ball more. And again you have to look at all the third down snaps we had and factor all those in and then balance out to see where your run-pass ratio is.”

I understand his broad point: Some game situations dictate passing. But when we look at run-pass balance we aren’t doing all that math. We’re looking at if the gap skews too big and plus-20 pass skews too big.

Write comment (0 Comments)

Trouble spots and reasons for hope from the Titans' loss

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Digging a bit deeper into the Titans’ 26-16 Sunday loss to the Raiders.

Things to hate:

The ground game: While the Titans managed a 4.5 rushing average, 21 on their 95 ground yards came on a 21-yard stutter and stutter again play by DeMarco Murray in the third quarter. They were not able to assert themselves on the ground the way they often did last year. Running backs combined for only 18 carries and 69 yards. Twenty-one rushing attempts vs. 41 pass attempts was dictated some by trailing but is not close to the balance they need.Cyprien2OAK 1

Write comment (0 Comments)

Opening gift was bad harbinger for Titans against Oakland

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Mike Mularkey gets a plus for being aggressive.

The Titans coach gets a minus for being aggressive at the wrong time.

His team might have lost anyway, because the Raiders may just be better. But a couple head-coaching decisions impacted the opening day 26-16 loss to Oakland, and left observers with plenty of second guessing.MurrayVsOak

Mularkey called for an onside kick on the game's opening play, and rookie safety Shalom Luani played it well and safely cradled it. Tye Smith of the Titans was surely executing his assignment but had he cut inside of Luani and looked for the ball, it was his.

Write comment (0 Comments)

The aftermath: Raiders 26, Titans 16

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Titans couldn’t match the solid Raiders Sunday, and swallowed a disappointing 26-16 loss.

The run defense, supposed to be a strength, couldn’t stop Oakland late to help get the ball back, which just added to the sting.

Ultimately, however, the offense has got to put up more than 16 points against a high-quality opponent to win.

Some quick hits:

That start: Yes, if the Titans recover the onside kick it’s brilliant. But they didn’t. To me, that’s an over-anxious coach trying to do too much with one play. The Titans brought in a slew of great special teams cover guys. Kick it off and pin the Raiders deep, don’t provide a great offense with a short field. Or take a touchback and defend a 75-yard field instead of a 50-yard one.

Write comment (0 Comments)

Mailbag: The influence of wide-receiver depth on tight end

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Welcome to the mailbag. Let's go.

PK: The Titans are a two-tight end team. Nothing there has changed. I wrote this very early in camp: Influx of wide receivers doesn’t mean Titans will turn into a three-wide receiver offense. That holds true, and it’s not because of a lack of depth. It’s philosophical. It's

Write comment (0 Comments)

Page 114 of 124

Paul Midday logo 2b 2