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Titans Pulse
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Titans Telegraph Preseason Special |
TITANS TELEGRAPH
TITANS TRANSFORMED FOR NEW SEASON
A 4-12 season was unacceptable for a Tennessee team that had started the season with a playoff place as their target. With an ageing roster and a QB who couldn’t get the offense moving with any kind of consistency, a lot of soul-searching was in order. When that was done it was clear that changes needed to be made and the first step was to cut ties with some of the stars who were in the twilight of their career to enable the Titans to rebuild. Here is a summary of the changes in Tennessee in the offseason, together with a look at the rookie class Titans fans hope will help to turn the team around.
Released/ Cut
Out went Starters David Thornton, Chris Hope and Keith Bulluck. Corner Tye Hill was traded to Detroit for a 5th which was used to bring Safety Jordan Babineaux in from Seattle. Various other bit part players and backups were allowed to go as the Titans acquired the cap space to sign their rookies.
Rookie Class of 2011
1:3 QB Kendall Irving Iowa
Sitting at 3rd place in the draft the Titans were in a no lose position. Their top three targets were linebackers Merton Carson and Hugh Harmon together with quarterback Irving. Vince Young had been a big disappointment in 2010 while a prospective starter at linebacker was a must. After picks one and two were done Irving was destined to be a Titan and Tennessee would have a new face at the helm in 2011. Irving has a strong arm, good accuracy and a good footballing brain for a rookie and will be number one from the off. Young is expected to back up for Irvings rookie season before being allowed to leave.
2:3 LOLB Byron Pharr Michigan State
With the quarterback position addressed Tennesee were always going to go OLB with the 35th pick of 2011 and it was an anxious wait for their next pick. Tennessee’s backroom staff were delighted when Michigan state’s Byron Pharr was still on the board in the second and had no hesitation pulling the trigger. While he doesn’t possess the bulky frame favoured by many Gms he is blessed with good speed an explosive first step and the strength and tackling skills to make an impact. He is expected to start on the left with the similarly explosive youngster Marcus Howard moving to the right, where he will compete with veteran Will Witherspoon for the starting spot.
3:3 WR William Newberry Arizona
Considering the struggle the Titans passing game faced last year starters Nate Washington and Kenny Britt had decent seasons. Rookie Eric Decker showed promise but beyond that there wasn’t much to shout about. Newberry has reasonable straight line speed, a great burst and though a bit raw, if given time has the size and vertical leap to develop into a real threat.
4:3 CB Ike Millen Pittsburgh
The Titans were pleasantly surprised to pick up Millen in the 4th and get another 6 footer for what had been an undersized secondary. He bears comparison with last years 2nd Rd pick Perrish Cox who was one of last seasons few positives. If Millen develops in the same manner then the Titans secondary should improve.
5:26 P Austin Dawkins Stanford
Punter Ryan Plackemeier had a miserable 2010 averaging just 37 yds per punt. With the very accurate Dawkins still on the board late in the 5th the decision was made to look longterm and in he came
6:3 WR Jared Henderson Arizona
A depth pick, Henderson joins Arizona team mate Newberry in the Titans receiving corps in a move likely to spell the end of Justin Gages days as a Titan.
7:3 DT Pete Jones UCLA
Jones will provide cover at DT but is not expected to see much playing time.
So a new season looms and it a new look Titans line-up that will take to the field in 2011. With a rookie quarterback and an inexperienced set of receivers, there will be immense pressure on running back Chris Johnson and the Tennessee offensive line. They will need to up their game and take the load or it could be a painful time in Tennessee. The good news for Titans fans is the pieces are coming together to turn things around, the question remains how soon |
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Forum Discussion
(by T_Brown on 07/18/2010)
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Replies - 0 :: Views - 10 |
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Titans Telegraph |
TITANS TELEGRAPH
TITANS KEEP FANS GUESSING
After a disappointing season the Titans will be looking to bounce back quickly and to do so need to draft well. Sitting at 1:3 they have kept their plans under wraps but are believed to have narrowed down a list of potential targets. Gm Tim Brown’s unease at having QB Vince Young at the helm for another season is no secret. Brown was heard to describe Young’s performances as “less Joe Montana and more Hannah Montana” The big question is whether they intend to pull the trigger on a new leader or look to address their defensive needs. The problem Tennessee may have is that after Iowa’s Kendall Irving there is no -one at the QB position who looks worth a top 3 pick. If Irving goes as expected to Carolina, Young may well be given a second chance to start earning his big paycheck. That would then leave the Titans to either draft a replacement for linebackers David Thornton and Keith Bulluck who were both released, or to address their secondary which was woeful last season. The lack also of a consistent pass rush means the Titans will have plenty of choice when their turn comes to pick. The smart money in Tennessee is on them drafting a Corner with California’s Dantonio Carter hot favourite. |
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Forum Discussion
(by T_Brown on 07/16/2010)
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Replies - 2 :: Views - 43 |
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Titans Telegraph Draft Day Special |
TITANS
TITANS TELEGRAPH
ALL QUIET IN MEMPHIS
As the inaugaral Gridiron draft gets underway, Titans fans appear distinctly unimpressed by the deafening silence coming out of Tennessee. The Titans only moves preseason have been to release veteran QB Kerry Collins and resign several veterans including linebackers Keith Bulluck and David Thornton. The Titans did acquire a second round pick from Dallas by trading down from 1:16 , hardly inspiring stuff. That said the Titans starters look reasonably solid and should allow Tennessee to use their 6 draft picks to acquire young talent that will be given time to develop. Tennessee made no moves in FA either, clearly mindful of the strict cap and 53 man roster requirement currently in force.
Assessing which way Tennessee will go in the draft is tricky given the picks they have are unlikely to draft anyone good enough to displace their current starters come day one. Their glaring needs are punter and outside linebacker, with no punter and the starters out wide getting on in years. That said it is highly unlikely a punter will be drafted till late on if at all, so it’s a fair bet they will be looking elsewhere. Rumour in Tennessee has them looking at Illinois LB Brandon Graham and Sergio Kindle from University of Texas. Whether either will fall to 1:24 is doubtful and if as seems likely they’re gone, where Titans management will go is anyone’s guess |
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Forum Discussion
(by T_Brown on 05/02/2010)
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Replies - 0 :: Views - 12 |
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At A Glance
| AFC South |
| RNK |
TEAM |
W-L-T |
PCT |
DIV |
| #8 |
 Colts |
6-4-0 |
0.600 |
1-2 |
| #11 |
 Texans |
5-5-0 |
0.500 |
5-1 |
| #17 |
 Jaguars |
5-5-0 |
0.500 |
1-3 |
| #31 |
 Titans |
2-8-0 |
0.200 |
2-3 |
| TITANS SCHEDULE |
| WK |
DATE |
OPPONENT |
TIME/RESULT |
| 1 |
Thu |
at Texans #11 |
|
| 2 |
Sun |
at Colts #8 |
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| 3 |
Sun |
vs  Ravens #10 |
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| 4 |
Sun |
vs Texans #11 |
|
| 5 |
Sun |
at Jaguars #17 |
|
| 6 |
Sun |
at  Panthers #18 |
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| 7 |
Sun |
vs  Buccaneers #27 |
|
| 8 |
Sun |
vs Jaguars #17 |
|
| 9 |
Sun |
vs  Falcons #28 |
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| 11 |
Sun |
vs  Broncos #7 |
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| 12 |
Sun |
vs Colts #8 |
1:00pm |
| 13 |
Sun |
at  Bengals #26 |
1:00pm |
| 14 |
Sun |
at  Bills #20 |
4:00pm |
| 15 |
Sun |
at  Steelers #15 |
1:00pm |
| 16 |
Sat |
vs  Browns #21 |
4:00pm |
| 17 |
Sun |
at  Saints #2 |
4:00pm |
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#31 Tennessee Titans
