Bleav in Titans

Jeffery Simmons got into a couple of fights during the first of this year's Tennessee Titans training camp practices with players in full pads. It's not necessarily a huge deal now, but it is not the kind of behavior that can be repeated during a game, and -- for one of the team's leaders -- it certainly does not set a good example. ... Things got worse when, after practice, Simmons confronted a local sports talk radio host, who was on the air at the time, in a vulgar rant to protest something the host wrote on X. It should be no surprise to Simmons (or anyone else) that not everything you see on X is happy and positive. He needs to deal with such things much better. ... A day later, Simmons did apologize, but there was no way to go back in time and undo what he did. ... It was reported this week that outside linebacker Arden Key will miss the first six games of this season for violation of the NFL's policy on performance-enhancing drugs. The Titans are not exactly flush with talent at that position. Yes, there are options to replace Key, but it is possible that the personnel department will have to sign a still-available free agent to adequately deal with the situation. ... Speaking of players still available, former Titans quarterback recently spoke about his current situation on a podcast and made it clear that is his not sitting at home just waiting for the phone to ring. It also seems clear, though, that if the right call comes, he will be more than happy to take it and to get back to work.

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Will Levis had the worst completion percentage among all qualifying NFL quarterbacks in 2023. Head coach Brian Callahan has said improvement in that regard is a central mission for the staff and for Levis this season. Some of that improvement will have to come from Levis himself, via his decision-making and his understanding of a new playbook and offensive philosophy, not to mention experience. Some will have to come from the offensive line and receivers who can make his job that much easier. ... Speaking of Levis, he certainly looked the part of a starting quarterback in the NFL as he traveled the world. walked some red carpets and did what he could to assert himself as the leader of the offense. He also has been a refreshing and interesting interview, unlike most of his recent predecessors with this franchise. It all paints a picture of a young man who is willing to embrace the stardom that typically comes with playing the game's most important position, even if he has not yet established himself as a star. ... General manager Ran Carthon said he expects a consensus of franchise decision-makers will produce the 53-man roster at the end of the preseason. It sounds nice but also is not likely realistic. Having been promoted to Executive Vice President/General Manager early in the offseason, he has to show that he is willing and able to make the final call when necessary. ... Callahan has said that starters should expect to see action in all three preseason games, which is a serious departure from the how the previous coaching staff approached things. Given all the offseason changes, it seems to be a prudent approach.

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The Tennessee Titans prepped for training camp by announcing seven hires and 13 promotions within the football operations and personnel departments. In case anyone wondered how much power general manager Ran Carthon currently wields, it is apparent now that he has things set up the way he wants. ... Ralph Ockenfels announced his retirement after 26 seasons in the front office, most recently as Vice President of Business Development. Whatever role he filled, he worked to improve the fan experience and to strengthen the connection between the team and its supporters. A salute to Ralph Ockenfels. ... Carthon finally made a long-anticipated move with the addition of a veteran safety, in this case Jamal Adams. The sixth overall pick in 2017 by the New York Jets, Adams is a three-time Pro Bowler who has played just 10 games over the past two seasons due to injuries. There are legitimate questions about how much he actually will contribute, but his connection to and familiarity with defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson is reason for optimism. ... A recent article in The Athletic revealed that the Titans agreed with the Baltimore Ravens on a fourth-round pick (it could have been a third) for running back Derrick Henry last year at the trade deadline but someone other than Carthon ultimately nixed the deal. So, should Tennessee have made that trade? And who is likely the one who wouldn't do it? ... With the start of training camp a week away, we look at the questions that need answers ahead of the regular season. ... Finally, ESPN only ranked two Titans among the top 10 in the NFL at their respective positions, and both barely cracked the top five.

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The Fourth of July falls at a time of inactivity for the NFL, but for the Tennessee Titans, it is an unforgettable day. It has now been 15 years since Steve McNair was murdered in Nashville, and the 2003 NFL co-MVP remains the standard by which all of the franchise's quarterbacks of the Titans era (1999-present) are measured. ... Countering the optimism among the fan base about the likelihood that the offensive line will be better this year, Pro Football Focus says Tennessee is headed to training camp with the NFL's 30th-best blocking unit. Uncertainty about who will start on the right side and the reliance on youth on the left likely figure into that determination, which seems -- nonetheless -- harsh. ... Former general manager Jon Robinson made a couple of deals to trade up in the 2022 draft to select wide receiver Treylon Burks (first round) and quarterback Malik Willis (third round). Now, both are regularly mentioned as players who could or should be traded before the regular season arrives. Is there merit to that line of thought, and if so, what might each bring in return? ... When it comes to setting the 53-man roster, wide receiver is a spot that varies widely in the number of players teams typically keep. Tennessee has more talent at that spot this year and plenty of options. So, what is a reasonable number of wide receivers to keep, and who might they be?

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The Tennessee Titans will be a different team in 2024. They have a new head coach in Brian Callahan, a bunch of new players led by wide receiver Calvin Ridley and cornerback L'Jarius Sneed, and hope that things will be better. Without question, there are reasons for optimism. So, what are they? ... National media outlets and sports betting services are not that optimistic. In fact, they are particularly pessimistic. From projected 2025 draft positions to odds for the 2024 season, it is not easy to find those who think the Titans will have a tough time this season. ... Some of the thinking the fuels the naysayers is understandable. Some of it seems completely misguided.

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It is mandatory minicamp week for the Tennessee Titans, which means all players under contract are in attendance at the facility. Not all of them are involved in on-field work, though. What is keeping them in the training room is anybody's guess, though, because -- as was the case with the former coaching staff -- no one is willing to discuss injuries at this time of year. ... One player not taking part in drills is second-round draft pick T'Vondre Sweat. Coach Brian Callahan says Sweat's injury is nothing serious, but history shows that health issues have a way of lingering with rookies. ... As expected, quarterback Will Levis is getting a lot of attention this offseason, from the media and the coaches. There's a lot to like about the second-year signal-caller, but there is also a lot on which he can improve. The question is whether those are things that can be fixed. ... Recent first-round picks Caleb Farley (2021) and Treylon Burks (2022) are getting a lot of work on special teams. After failing to live up to expectations last year, it seems much less is expected of both in 2024. Based on where it seems they reside on the depth chart, neither should expect to stay on the roster if they can't contribute on special teams. ... More players continue to speak about the relaxed nature of things under Callahan as compared to his predecessor, Mike Vrabel.

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DeAndre Hopkins was as good as advertised in his first season with the Tennessee Titans. In his first full offseason with them, he is showing that he is nothing like the sullen, disinterested participant, as he was portrayed at other stops in his career. ... This week, the veteran wide receiver answered questions about Treylon Burks, Tennessee's 2022 first-round pick, and then took to social media a day later to clarify his remarks with the assessment that no one in the locker room is sleeping on the player who has been pushed down the positional depth chart due to a couple of notable offseason acquisitions. ... With Hopkins, Calvin Ridley and Tyler Boyd, Tennessee seemingly has the best wide receiver trio of its Titans era (1999-present). Is there any other trio that even comes close? Does this mean a traditionally run-first franchise will throw the ball a lot more this season. ... After last week's schedule release, Marcus Mosher of The 33rd Team called the Titans "a sleeper team" but also predicted they would finish last in ther AFC South. Those two things seem to be counterintuitive, but it is also to understand the thinking behind each.

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The Tennessee Titans will open the 2024 season on the road against the Chicago Bears. That means they get first crack at the first pick in this year's draft, quarterback Caleb Williams. ... This will be the fourth time in five years that Tennessee plays against the quarterback who was taken first overall. For the most part, they have done well in those encounters. ... Williams is not the only quarterback taken in the first round the Titans might face this season. Potential matchups also await with Jayden Daniels and Washington, Drake Maye and New England, and J.J. McCarthy and Minnesota. ... A Week 5 bye precedes what might be the most challenging stretch of the season, the first division game of the year followed by road games against a pair of Super Bowl contenders. ... The stretch from early November to the start of December will first-year coach Brian Callahan match wits with three others who are in their first season in charge of their respective franchises. ... Five of the last seven games will be against AFC South opponents, including two against Jacksonville in December. ... If you can only make one home game this season, there are several interesting options. The same is true if you can only make one road game.

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The Titans prepared for this weekend's rookie camp by signing the last four of this year's seven draft picks to contracts. ... Ahead of that camp, veterans are engaged in organized team activities. One person who is not there -- but is coming -- is veteran wide receiver Tyler Boyd, who previously played in Cincinnati and had new Tennessee coach Brian Callahan as his offensive coordinator. ... Along with DeAndre Hopkins and Calvin Ridley, Boyd gives the Titans three veteran wide receivers who have combined for more than 1,700 receptions in their careers, which is a far cry from the inexperienced, unproductive group they had in 2023. Boyd's familiarity with Callahan's offense should help those others, plus quarterback Will Levis, get up to speed more quickly. ... Boyd's addition is not good news for 2022 first-round draft pick Treylon Burks. By all accounts, Burks is having a good offseason. But every indication is that he is no better than No. 4 on the positional depth chart. Callahan continues to say that Burks will get what he earns in terms of playing time and opportunities for receptions. It is likely that he will have to work extremely hard to get any opportunity. ... Levis noted that there are two notable differences with Callahan in charge rather than Mike Vrabel. First, the second-year quarterback has been told that the Titans will throw the ball on early downs and in a variety of situations. Second, there is more give-and-take between players and coaches, which has made a number of previously quiet players feel comfortable about speaking up and adding energy. ... The rookie camp will be the first opportunity for some first-year players to show they are up to the task of being professionals and possibly could make significant contributions in 2024.

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After they selected tackle JC Latham in the first round, the Tennessee Titans doubled down on big men when they chose Texas defensive lineman T'Vondre Sweat, the 2023 Outland Trophy winner, in the second round. At 366 pounds, Sweat is the heaviest draft pick in franchise history, topping by just a couple pounds the mark Latham set a day earlier. ... The last time Tennessee drafted a player who weighed 350 pounds or more, things did not work out well. It won't take much for one or both of these guys to do much better. ... In addition to his size, Sweat arrives with some sizable question marks, primarily whether he can be an every-down player and whether a recent DWI incident is indicative of character issues. Some felt the Titans could have gotten him much later in the draft, but it is easy to imagine how his bulk could make a huge difference on the defense. ... Among the third-day picks, two of them could combine to make a complete player, one followed one of his college teammates to the Titans, and one looks to be very much in the mold of a couple of this year's free-agent additions.

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