Twenty-one months after initially facing a simple assault charge in Pittsburgh, Titans outside linebacker Rashad Weaver has been pushed back again.

Scheduled for a jury trial this morning in Judge Anthony M. Mariani Court of Common Pleas in Allegheny County, Weaver is now scheduled for a status hearing on April 12 and a jury trial on May 16.

A status hearing is typically a pretrial event to make sure all motions are handled and discovery has been exchanged.

Simple assault is a second-degree misdemeanor. If Weaver is found guilty the maximum sentence is not more than two years but the likely scenario is probation.

Pool photo/ George Walker, The Tennessean

The charge stems from an April 18, 2021 incident outside the Foxtail bar in Pittsburgh during which the alleged victim, Demetria Navjelis, told police Weaver “grabbed her by the throat and pushed her to the ground, where she ultimately hit her head.”

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Paul Kuharsky Podcast has a new platform.

I've been looking for the best way to expand the pod, extend its reach and connect with potential sponsors. Local is the route and I have no doubt that joining Braden Gall and becoming part of the 440 Sports network will achieve those goals.

I've feuded with Gall in the past, when he wouldn't say my name on the radio or obsessed about my shirt in my headshots. But he's the right guy to help PK.com in this department.

This site has been a big success in creating a fantastic membership of Titans fans who want a gimmick-free, connected and honest assessment of what's happening on all levels of the team.

Now with upgraded production and a video element, the podcast will offer a bigger taste of that to everyone.

For members, it'll be an expanded, crisper and more enjoyable version of what we've been doing. For non-members, I hope you'll accept the invitation to step through that door and come to the site for much more.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – When Jon Robinson was dismissed, we wondered just how much power Mike Vrabel would have in selecting his old boss’ replacement.

That’s still to be determined. But as the Titans sort through their initial candidates for the open general manager job, he’s not involved in the first round of meetings.

Glenn Cook/ Courtesy Cleveland Browns

“Once they kind of get through that first process, I will be involved in whatever would come after that in probably a smaller group,” he said. “I am excited about that process, being involved, and in helping in any way that I can.”

I wonder if he shouldn’t have some degree of inclusion now, even if it’s a small one.

By MIKE HERNDON, columnist

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- With the Titans offseason here a little earlier than most expected, Amy Adams-Strunk’s search to replace Jon Robinson as General Manager is kicking into high gear. Reports of interview requests came fast and furious on Monday.Adams Peters with John Lynch/ © Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

As of now, these are the eight reported candidates that the Titans have requested interviews from:

• Ryan Cowden – Titans vice president of player personnel (and current head of personnel)
• Monti Ossenfort – Titans director of player personnel
• Adam Peters – 49ers assistant general manager
• Ran Carthon – 49ers director of player personnel
• Glenn Cook – Browns assistant general manager
• Ian Cunningham – Bears assistant general manager
• Malik Boyd – Bills senior director of pro scouting
• Quentin Harris – Cardinals vice president of player personnel

A couple of notes before we start discussing the candidates. Most of these names are nothing more than “requests” currently. It’s not necessarily an automatic “yes” when these requests go out. In large part, executives on the personnel side tend to be pickier when it comes to seeking promotions to a top spot than coaches are because GMs rarely get a second chance if their first opportunity doesn’t go as planned.

By BLAKE BEDDINGFIELD, special correspondent

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Jaguars are moving on to the playoffs and the Titans ended their season on a seven-game losing streak and head into the offseason with some major questions about their personnel, coaching and roster construction.

For much of the first half of the game, the Titans out-coached and out-played the Jaguars and stuck to a game plan that seemed to work perfectly.

© Douglas DeFelice-USA TODAY Sports

Coming into the game it was obvious the talent difference on both sidelines with the Jaguars having a significant advantage at the quarterback and offensive skilled positions. 

By MIKE HERNDON, columnist

The end of the Titans 2022 season was a microcosm of the season as a whole. A strong first half gave way to a disastrous second half as protection issues and backups playing in starting roles failed to make the plays necessary to win the game. 

© Douglas DeFelice-USA TODAY Sports

There is certainly a case for a grievance from the Titans in this one. They led for nearly the entirety of Saturday night’s winner-take-all match for the AFC South, but a strip sack of Josh Dobbs by Rayshawn Jenkins led to a Josh Allen return touchdown that made the difference in the 20-16 loss.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Some local media corps around the NFL have long presented an annual award to the player they find most helpful.

Others have started more recently.

We've been too slow to do so. But finally, as the Nashville chapter of the Pro Football Writers of America, we created such an award, named it after Eddie George and voted on the first winner. 

Unanimously, we gave it to Kevin Byard, who's never asked for a day off and never turned away a question, helping all of us in regular group settings and sticking around for an extra question any time anyone needed him.

By BLAKE BEDDINGFIELD, special correspondent

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- With a loss at Jacksonville the Titans would post a seven-game season-ending losing streak. With a win, they can have a one-game win streak and go to the playoffs as the AFC South Champions.

Amazing what a 1-6 record will feel like if that one win gets you into the playoffs.

Pool photo Tennessee Titans

Joshua Dobbs will be the starting quarterback for a second consecutive week and Derrick Henry will be back after a week of rest.

But this game won’t come down to the offense. The Titans’ defense will need to win it.