NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The NFL had been praised for its COVID-19 protocols, which helped keep positive tests to a minimum

Until a Titans’ outbreak that has resulted in the postponement of their Week Four home game against the Steelers.RobinsonVrabel2020MH

So far, the Vikings have had no positive tests, even as the Titans returned from their Sept. 27 win and had five players and six staff members prove infected with the coronavirus in three days of tests.

We don’t know where or when they got sick.

Write comment (3 Comments)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Titans look lined up to host the Steelers Monday, maybe Tuesday night at Nissan Stadium after a delay caused by four player and five staff positive COVID-19 tests in what would have been a regular week following their road win in Minnesota.

But questions still loom, and a new batch of bad test results Thursday morning or later could still force the league to alter its path no matter how badly it wants to stick to Week 4’s schedule, even if it pushes the boundaries of it.

BrinkleyTampa

While initial reports said everyone was asymptomatic, Mike Vrabel said some are experiencing flu-like symptoms.

He was unimpressed with the NFL’s level of concern with the human element of the whole situation. [Unlocked]

Write comment (1 Comment)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Mike Vrabel is all about no excuses. Find out the rules, coach guys up according to them and play.

But as Sunday’s Steelers-Titans gane hangs in the air as the team and the league sort out eight new positive COVID-19 tests following up Shane Bowen’s Saturday entry into the coronavirus protocol, the team’s tone may almost be asking the NFL to keep things on schedule.

Is keeping things on schedule what’s best for the team, words we hear Vrabel utter constantly?

VrabelMH

(Photo by Mark Humphrey, AP via pool.)

The Titans are out of their headquarters until Saturday, Dianna Russini reported and I confirmed. [Unlocked]

Write comment (2 Comments)

Scout's take: Jeffery Simmons' big game, Malcolm Butler's coverage and Arthur Smith's plan

BY BLAKE BEDDINGFIELD, special correspondent

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Vikings had their own game plan going into the Week 3 matchup against the Titans. 

The Titans' first two opponents gave a clear blueprint on how to stop the Titans’ run game and how to block Titans’ defensive tackle Jeffrey Simmons to limit his effectiveness. The Vikings ignored both strategies and struggled to adjust throughout the game. VikingsShip

Simmons was a handful one-on-one against the interior offensive line of the Vikings. Minnesota had no answer and foolishly never adjusted. 

DaQuan Jones was also outstanding controlling his one-on-one blocks easily against the interior offensive lineman and the inside run game.

Write comment (0 Comments)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Titans play-caller and outside linebackers coach Shane Bowen was put into COVID-19 protocol Saturday morning and didn’t travel with the team to Minnesota.

BowenGW

Tennessee’s defense struggled but the Titans managed a 31-30 win and moved to 3-0.

Bowen’s absence from the game was first reported jointly by PaulKuharsky.com and AtoZ Sports. [Unlocked]

Write comment (2 Comments)

Titans write a list of things to correct, find a way to win late again

MINNEAPOLIS – On a small, secondary ribbon board at U.S. Bank Stadium, the message spoke to the Titans.

“Progress is our purpose,” Land O’Lakes announced, in a slogan now 3-0 Tennessee could have commandeered as it overcame a third-quarter 12-point deficit to beat the host Vikings, 31-30.TitansVikings

In one on the NFL’s prized new venues, empty for all but a handful of player families I never noticed, a struggling defense was bailed out by a shoot-it-out offense, setting up a Sunday matchup of undefeated teams at Nissan Stadium when the Steelers visit and roughly 7,000 fans will get to watch.

Write comment (6 Comments)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – High-level college football starts today, and with it high-level NFL scouting.

I spoke to Jon Robinson about how COVID-19 restrictions are affecting how his scouting staff now do their jobs as games are played and practices are held.RobinsonGW

(Jon Robinson photo: George Walker, The Tennessean via pool.)

Here’s an outline of how things will work during this unusual season.

Write comment (0 Comments)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Titans concluded weeks of hiding Vic Beasley and made him available in a Zoom call with the media Friday, during which he mysteriously spoke of “disagreements” that prompted his 10-day unexcused absence at the start of camp and offered assurance that he does in fact love football.BeasleyZoom

“Any time you come to a new environment you want to have a great first impression,” he said. “You want to just show the people that you’re really, really into working with the team and want to be here. I’m excited. I feel like this is an opportunity to put myself back in that category of one of the elite pass rushers. This is a new start for me.”

This is an incredible statement.

It completely contradicts what he actually did.

Write comment (6 Comments)

Yazoo Podcasts

Page 17 of 187