NASHVILLE, Tenn. – It’s time.

Are the 2020 Titans better top to bottom than last year’s version? We can’t say for sure.

A lot of roster movement was about replenishment more than improvement.

But Jadeveon Clowney was the big piece, expected to complete the team, a defensive disruptor.

With him on the roster, tacking on the ever-present caveat about injuries, there is no excuse for the Titans not to surpass the 9-7 record of the last four years and capture the AFC South crown.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – In two years as Titans coach, Mike Vrabel has shown himself to be a very good teacher and tactician, a relationship-builder with rapport with everybody.

He’s certainly a motivator, but on a team where Vrabel and Jon Robinson have sought to bring in guys who love football and put the team first, he’s got two high-ranking players who may be challenges on his plate now.

In Jadeveon Clowney and Vic Beasley, two players with great physical gifts at the Titans’ big position of need, Vrabel will have to do his best work in bringing out their best football.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Because he’s been so flakey, Titans fans may want to hold off on the full celebration until they see a picture of him on the practice field.

But as of right now, Jadeveon Clowney has told the Titans he’s coming to join them in Nashville. He's not here yet and he's not yet signed the deal he's agreed to and still has to pass a physical.

That confirms Dianna Russini's Twitter report. Yes, I'm also aware of what Josina Anderson's said Clowney has said. (Check back for further developments.)

Provided he follows through on that and signs his deal, Clowney needs to produce on a defensive front that is in need of edge-setting run defense and the sort of influential quarterback disruption that may not produce sacks for Clowney but bolsters the team’s overall, too-often insufficient rush.

(Photo courtesy Seattle Seahawks.)

Earlier Saturday the Titans kept only four outside linebackers at the roster cutdown deadline.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – A run-through of the first version of the Titans’ 53-man roster, which they can begin adjusting on Sunday when they will also put together a 16-man practice squad than can include six veterans.

Quarterback (2): Ryan Tannehill, Logan Woodside.

I didn’t think they’d keep three as the risk of losing Siemian from a practice squad spot isn’t something to fear that much. He’s simply not been very good since his arrival and they’ll be a comparable alternative out there, as sad a statement as that is. Also he’ll probably wind up on a practice squad somewhere and if the Titans wind up in need they can sign him from there, though the timing for getting him on the field in an emergency situation is a quation this season.

(Cody Hollister photo: George Walker, Tennessean via pool.)

Running back (3): Derrick Henry, Darrynton Evans, Khari Blasingame.

Evans’ injury is clearly nothing they are fearing has an impact on Denver availability. Blasingame was really impressive as a runner and pass-catcher, so an as in-game option he is insurance. Jeremy McNichols will be on the practice squad barring a waiver claim and they’ll have some security there.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Jadeveon Clowney’s fate is still very much up in the air. We don’t know when he fired Bus Cook as he agent and when the clock started on a five-day waiting period before he can hire a replacement, reportedly Kennard McGuire.

Cook can waive the five-day wait. Clowney can negotiate a deal without an agent.

(Photo courtesy Atlanta Falcons.)

Meanwhile, the Titans cut D’Andre Walker in a surprise reported by @JustinM_NFL.

That’s made partly possible by the fact that Vic Beasley will come off the Non-Football Injury list and be part of the 53-man roster, the first official version of which we will learn by 3 p.m. CT. 

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Saturday is cut-down day and the tendency is to look for surprise cuts.

Here are three players who may still be on the roster after 3 p.m. CT Saturday, or could resurface Sunday if the Titans need to keep someone on the initial 53 before making an IR move.

(Chris Milton photo: Mark Humphrey, AP via pool.)

Chris Milton – Nick Dzubnar get singled out as the special teams ace as he was a semi-notable offseason signing. But Milton was great on special teams last year when healthy, and he’s gotten better at cornerback. I remember one red zone one-on-one period where he played very physical coverage with great positioning.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Vic Beasley worked some with Mike Vrabel on a side field early during Thursday’s practice and Derick Roberson reportedly rode a stationary bicycle.

These qualified as big developments for the Titans at outside linebacker a dozen days before their scheduled opener in Denver.

Go anywhere else on the team and the questions are about depth.

But OLB is vying to replace receiver as the Titans trouble spot, a patchwork of players with minimal production, pedigree or both. Now with Beasley, there is even a desire question, something I didn’t think we’d be discussing about a Jon Robinson-Mike Vrabel significant money acquisition, whether the player in question is a one-year prove-it guy or not.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Some degree of clarity is coming on Vic Beasley by 3 p.m. CT Saturday.

Teams have to trim their rosters to 53 by then, which also means they have to make decisions on lists like the one Beasley is on, the Non-Football Injury list.

A spot on NFI means a player reported with an issue he didn’t suffer while under the team’s watch.