By MIKE HERNDON, columnist

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- We know that there are going to be changes in the Titans offense in 2023 under new offensive coordinator Tim Kelly. Ryan Tannehill referred to them as “huge” changes during his first press availability back on May 3^rd and specifically mentioned new terminology and new concepts.

The new terminology part of that comment perked my ears up at the time it was made. New concepts are a reality for every offense every offseason in the ever-adapting world of NFL offense (yes, even in Tennessee), but new terminology and “huge” changes… that is a more significant development.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Just three of 89 Titans stayed away from the team’s open practice session Tuesday, the second of phase three of voluntary organized team activities.

Kevin Byard, Kristian Fulton and Denico Autry were not at team headquarters.

Six others were not on the field but were inside dealing with varying degrees of injuries: Caleb Farley (back), Monty Rice, Harold Landry (ACL recovery), Dillon Radunz (ACL recovery), Trevon Wesco and Sam Okuayinonu.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Treylon Burks was determined to be at Titans’ headquarters Monday morning at 8 a.m. for the first day of phase three of OTAs.

But his travel plans fell apart.

His American Airlines flight to Dallas from Northwest Arkansas National Airport in Bentonville, Ark. was delayed until after 9 a.m., which meant he would miss his connection to Nashville, and Walmart leased every rental car in the area until Thursday. 

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Hey hey as we say.

Hope you've got a big weekend ahead. Memorial Day is pending, which is tremendous.

Podcast plug: Listen to the latest edition on Apple, Spotify, Google Podcasts, TuneIn or watch on YouTube. If you are on Spotify, Google Pods or TuneIn, please re-subscribe as we've had a change there.

Onto the best of what you've tossed my direction.

To the overall organization, what’s more important, winning this year and getting into playoffs with old guard or giving the new guard live game experience and development?

— The General (@mac9nj) May 18, 2023

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Titans are talking about how their offseason work is getting them calloused, and that sounds great.

But everything about the way they work has to be considered through the lens of injuries after two brutal years of losing too many players for too much time.

That's a big piece of this week's podcast.

The new episode awaits you on Apple, Spotify, Google Podcasts, TuneIn and YouTube, which is below.

If you're listening on Spotify, Google or TuneIn these are new links and I ask that you please take a second to re-subscribe.

Other subjects I dive into:

💥 The importance of Treylon Burks
💥 The big car chase
💥 Early Will Levis
💥 Side hustles
💥 Win totals

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By MIKE HERNDON, columnist

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Let me start by acknowledging the fact that it’s entirely too early to truly project the 53 players who will make the Titans' initial active roster on August 29^th. The team’s official organized team activities (OTAs) with veterans joining the rookie class on the practice field for the first time just within the last few days.

However, I like to use this type of format as a good tool to examine the roster as a whole and get a good feel for the depth at various position groups and where interesting battles may begin to emerge over the next few months.

So, let’s jump into the roster with my projected 53 as of today.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The time away and the personal trainer that many players choose after the season was not the path for Treylon Burks.

Coming out of an up-and-down rookie that showed promise along with plenty of room for growth, the 18th pick in the 2022 draft who was thrust into high expectations because the selection was part of the A.J. Brown trade has been at the Titans facility since he started his offseason training.

Last year he fell out of the first of two open practices of rookie minicamp, which is when we first saw an inhaler and started asking questions about asthma and fitness level. It took some time before Rob Moore said Burks had asthma. Then the receiver didn’t participate in minicamp and the Titans measured his training camp usage. [Unlocked]

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The final play of the Titans' rookie minicamp practice perfectly encapsulated such a session.

To hear the players involved and Mike Vrabel tell it, Will Levis, the team’s new hope at quarterback, connected with the new 6-foot-7 tight end, Josh Whyle, who rose among a closing crowd to pluck it and pull it down.

“I’m just trying to do all the right things, be in the right spots at the right times and try to make the quarterback look good,” Whyle said. “That’s all I can ask for. Just show great effort. 

How was the ball placement? [Unlocked]