By BLAKE BEDDINGFIELD, special correspondent 

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Titans enter this week at a "crossroads" against a division rival. That’s what Mike Vrabel said after the game last Sunday. It’s even more appropriate after what unfolded on Tuesday with the firing of general manager Jon Robinson.

Players usually aren’t concerned with employees in the front office, but the message owner Amy Adams Strunk sent can be interpreted in several different ways.

That can affect how the game is played moving forward.

Players pay attention when messages are sent and this was a clear message that the owner is not pleased with the talent that is on the field.

How they respond should be something to watch.

Pool photo: Nick Westbrook-Ikhine/ Tennesse Titans

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – NFL rules require the Titans to interview two persons of color or women for their open general manager slot. Rod Graves, executive director of the Fritz Pollard Alliance, intends to offer himself as a resource to the franchise for finding those two candidates.

The alliance champions diversity in the NFL through education and works as a resource for member scouts, coaches and front-office personnel. It’s named after the first African-American NFL coach.

“I’ll be reaching out to the Titans relatively soon for assistance with the process,” Graves said.

He has a list of 36 candidates, 32 who are currently working in the NFL and four who are currently inactive.

Rick Smith photo: © John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – When the Titans have been at the most dangerous passing the ball under Mike Vrabel, a dig route with a receiver crossing the field with speed, catching a pass in stride, perhaps bouncing off one defender and running away from others felt like a major element of it.

That receiver was often A.J. Brown and his play-caller for the first two seasons with Ryan Tannehill throwing the ball was Arthur Smith.

Now, what the Titans call a strike route is still a part of their repertoire, but they’ve run them it less successfully because it’s not something their receivers are particularly good at and because the way they are being defended often limits their opportunity.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- We've had a day to digest the news that Amy Adams Strunk fired Jon Robinson and we've heard all that Mike Vrabel had to say about it when the organization decided he'd be the only executive to answer questions about it.

I know it left a lot on your mind.

So our Wednesday night gathering made for a good and extra long conversation.

I gave you the first name I've come up with that I really like as a GM candidate to replace Robinson and detailed why I like him.

And there is the matter of the aftermath of the loss in Philadelphia and the Titans turning back to more favorable competition with the Jaguars coming to town for the first of two matchups in the final five weeks. 

Also, you comforted me about my dog's serious surgery slated for Thursday.

Head below or visit our private Facebook page to rewatch.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Amy Adams Strunk unfairly hung Mike Vrabel out to dry Wednesday, as he answered for her Tuesday decision to fire Jon Robinson for over 20 minutes.

Here are the highlights of what he said and my thoughts on the meaning behind a lot of it.

“Move forward aligned:” Vrabel thanked Robinson and his family for the care and effort and support they’d shown the team and fans.

“I want to thank him for giving me the opportunity to coach this football team on the field, to lead it each and every day,” he said. “With that, change is never easy. But we realize that we all have a job to do. That job is evaluated each and every day. I told the team this. I met with the staff.

Pool photo/ Mark Humphrey AP

By MIKE HERNDON, columnist

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The news that Titans controlling owner Amy Adams-Strunk was firing GM Jon Robinson on a rainy Tuesday morning in early December was shocking. For all its warts – and we’ll get to those in detail shortly – Tennessee is currently 7-5 and on the verge of clinching its third consecutive division title, a first for this franchise since joining the NFL in 1970.

Pool photo, George Walker, The Tennessean 

Robinson finishes his tenure as the top football executive for the Titans with a 66-43 record, playoff appearances in what will soon be five of seven seasons, and one AFC Championship game appearance after taking over a team that had been 5-27 in the two seasons prior to his arrival.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Ten more thoughts on the firing of Jon Robinson by Amy Adams Strunk on Tuesday...

Mike Vrabel’s power: It’s very much a consensus league now. Pete Carroll has a large hand in personnel in Seattle and Andy Reid does too, but John Schneider and Brett Veach, respectively, are hardly regarded as puppets.

Beyond Bill Belichick, who has final say on all football matters with the Patriots, it’s tough to find a coach with true GM powers in today’s league. 

Vrabel has clearly done a far better job as the Titans coach than Robinson did as its GM. But don’t presume the dynamic for personnel decisions gets flipped entirely on its head.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – In firing Jon Robinson before he completed the first year of an extension announced in February, Amy Adams Strunk made a giant statement.

Robinson’s recent player acquisition work was poor and watching the results of one of his biggest moves come to fruition on Sunday in Philadelphia was the concluding act.

A.J. Brown, traded to Philadelphia for draft picks as a result of a contract dispute, caught eight passes for 119 yards and two touchdowns as the Eagles trounced Tennessee 35-10 and dropped them to 7-5 while the receivers Robinson assembled managed four catches for 41 yards and a score.