By BLAKE BEDDINGFIELD, special correspondent

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Titans have some positional strength going into the 2022 season but there are areas of need that need upgrading.

Starting quarterback, running back, left tackle, right guard and one wide receiver spot are solid on the offensive side of the ball.

Christian Kirk / © Arizona Republic-USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Content Services, LLC

In a perfect world the Titans would like to upgrade Ryan Tannehill for a franchise-type quarterback but with Tannehill’s cap number that is not possible in 2022.

NASHVILLE – With a five-year contract agreement and $52.5 million guaranteed, Harold Landry is officially a pillar of the Tennessee Titans.

The durable edge rusher who produced 13.5 sacks in 18 games in 2021 is just the fifth Jon Robinson draft pick to get a second contract and the seventh drafted Titan under the GM’s leadership to get a second deal.

Pool photo/ Donald Page, Tennessee Titans

Landry is just the second of eight eligible first- or second-round picks to get a second deal.

Let’s look at each of those and take a look at how things have panned out so far.

NASHVILLE – When the Titans didn’t franchise tag Harold Landry by the deadline Tuesday afternoon, I wrote they were either close to a long-term deal or he was a goner.

Courtesy Tennessee Titans

The two sides were in fact on the verge of that long-term deal, as NFL Network and ESPN are reporting he’s got a five-year, $87.5 million agreement with $52.5 million guaranteed.

That dwarfs the five-year, $82.5 million deal with $35 million guaranteed the team gave Steelers free-agent Bud Dupree last season. [Unlocked]

NASHVILLE – The Titans' failure to franchise tag Harold Landry tells us one of two things:

1) They are confident they will reach a long-term deal with him by early next week.

2) They are moving on from him.

Courtesy Tennessee Titans

The second scenario is much more likely  

It would have cost the Titans $18.702 million, money they would have had to have freed up under the cap by March 16. Per Over the Cap, they are $7.867 million over the cap right now. [Unlocked]

NASHVILLE – The combine has wrapped up and we are left to marvel at some ridiculous numbers posted by prospects. 

Baylor receiver Tyquan Thornton’s Thursday 4.28 second 40 is old news, usurped by Georgia defensive tackle Jordan Davis’ 4.78 at 341 pounds.

It’s good TV and conversation, but it’s not the end-all-be-all. You’ve heard that before and you’ll hear it again but it’s March 7 and it’s hard for football diehards not to get swept up in it right now.

I thought it’d be an interesting time to look at what some Titans did at the combine in comparison to the top numbers we just saw.

NASHVILLE – Back from Indianapolis and thrilled about it, we’ve got much more to talk about.

I wanted to check in with you so I requested and sorted through mailbag questions heading into what I hope is a glorious weekend for us all.

Courtesy Tennessee Titans

Here is the best of what you asked.

Realizing Jrob & Vrabel may not acknowledge publicly, but is there any behind the scenes recognition on how frustrated the fanbase is now? It’s been 19-going-on-20 years since their last home playoff win. How can they project any hope, especially if no change is made to QB & OC?

— 💙💛CHVRCHES FANS’PAPA💛💙 (@VaderJaws) January 28, 2022

INDIANAPOLIS – Cincinnati is about 112 miles southwest of here on I-75, but it’s still on the Titans’ mind.

Six weeks removed from a devastating divisional-round playoff loss to the Bengals in Nashville coming off a bye as the AFC’s No. 1 seeds, the Titans are well into preparations for 2022. At the scouting combine, they are interviewing prospects, their medical people are examining them and they will be watching them bench, run and jump.

But the loss still looms, a ripple in their pond that has not yet reached shore and dissipated.

INDIANAPOLIS – The support for Ryan Tannehill was natural.

Following the quarterback’s poor performance in a stunner of a divisional-round loss to the Bengals at Nissan Stadium, it was automatic that a coach and a GM would back their quarterback. They’d back any player coming off a poor performance.

© George Walker IV / Tennessean.com / USA TODAY NETWORK

The Titans won 12 games, their division and their conference's No. 1 seed, but failed to advance in the playoffs when one win would have earned them a home AFC Championship Game.

Tannehill threw three interceptions against Cincinnati, completing a 21-turnover season, shrinking in the biggest moment for the second season in a row.