Bleav in Titans

Ryan Tannehill looked more like the Ryan Tannehill that Tennessee Titans have come to expect when he completed 20 of 24 passes and did not commit a turnover in Sunday's 27-24 overtime victory over the Los Angeles Chargers. It was a much-needed bounce back after a disastrous outing the previous week, and it should ease the fears of Titans fans everywhere. ... Tannehill was sacked five times in the contest, but an offensive line that featured Dillon Radunz at left guard held up when it mattered, such as the 70-yard pass from Tannehill to Tretylon Burks in the second quarter, a play that kickstarted Tennessee's offense. The line also helped Derrick Henry rush for 80 yards on 25 carries. ... Speaking of Henry, the balance between his workload and that of rookie Tyjae Spears was much more in line with what most expect from this offense, but the way new offensive coordinator Tim Kelly used his two backs kept the Chargers guessing and will make it harder for future opponents to know what is coming. ... The line will be put to the test again this week at Cleveland. The Browns defense features an elite pass rusher in Myles Garrett and is led by former Titans assistant Jim Schwartz, who knows how Tennessee's staff thinks. ... Sunday's game, however, won't be a showdown between Henry and Cleveland's Nick Chubb, the NFL's top two rushers since the start of the 2018 season.

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For the third straight year and the fourth time in six seasons under coach Mike Vrabel, the Tennessee Titans have started 0-1. This time, they fell 16-15 to the New Orleans Saints in a game that featured some dominant play by the defense, a sparkling debut by kicker Nick Folk and a disastrous outing by quarterback Ryan Tannehill, who threw three interceptions, missed some wide open receivers, was sacked three times and finished with a career-low 28.8 passer rating. ... Among the promising signs were the performance of the defense, which allowed some big plays but just one touchdown, and special teams that accounted for all of the points and one takeaway. It also is noteworthy that under coach Mike Vrabel, the Titans have a history of quickly fixing early-season flaws. ... Tannehill's issues included an obvious desire to force the ball to new wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, a shortage of time to stand tall in the pocket and atypical struggles with accuracy. ... Hopkins had the ball thrown his way a lot (13 times) but ultimately did not make much of those opportunities (seven catches, 65 yards). To make matters worse, he came out of the game injured. ... Many fans want to make sure the Titans don't overwork running back Derrick Henry. But after Henry carried just 15 times for 63 yards against the Saints, many wondered why he didn't get the ball more, particularly late in the game. ... It was a promising performance for first-year general manager Ran Carthon, based on the performance of several newcomers, including kicker Nick Folk, outside linebacker Arden Key and first-round draft pick Peter Skoronski. ... Up next is a game at home against the Los Angeles Chargers, a team that looks well-equipped to take advantage of issues with injuries to the Titans' secondary.

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As preparations for Sunday's opener against the New Orleans Saints got underway in earnest, coach Mike Vrabel revealed who had been named team captains, based on a vote of the players. Seven (three on offense, three on defense and one on special teams) were chosen, and one of the seven is likely to be a surprise to most fans. ... One thing Vrabel would not disclose is whether Malik Willis or rookie Will Levis will be the second-string quarterback this week. What is the point of keeping quiet, and what is the most likely decision for this contest? ... New Orleans' secondary coach is someone Titans fans know well, former Tennessee safety Marcus Robertson, and his unit will match up against a Titans' passing attack that is largely a mystery at the conclusion of the offseason and preseason. ... Overall, the Saints had one of the best and most productive defenses in the NFL last season. They have proven playmakers at every level, and they will pose a particular challenge for the Titans' revamped offensive line. ... Quarterback Derek Carr represents the most significant change to the New Orleans offense. In his years with the Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders, Carr had his share of success against Tennessee. With the Saints, he has his share of weapons, which won't make him any easier to deal with. ... The episode concludes with predictions: for the outcome of the game: for the Titans' 2023 record and for how the AFC South will stack up at the end of the regular season.

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There were plenty of notable decisions the Tennessee Titans made when they cut their roster to 53 players. Among them: all three quarterbacks (Ryan Tannehill, Malik Willis and rookie Will Levis) made it; two rookies who grew up in or around Nashville (wide receiver Colton Dowell and safety Matthew Jackson) made it: and two recent draft picks (wide receiver Racey McMath and linebacker Chance Campbell) did not. ... The first post-cut practice included the rapid return from injury by wide receiver Treylon Burks. Perhaps even more surprising was offensive lineman Dillon Radunz's removal from the Physically Unable to Perform list. Burks' return provides some much-needed certainty for the offense as it prepares for the opener at New Orleans. What Radunz can add -- or will be asked to add -- is not nearly as clear. ... The Titans changed kickers again when they traded a 2025 seventh-round pick to New England for 38-year-old veteran Nick Folk, who becomes the latest long-in-the-tooth kicker to get the job with Tennessee. Cade York, a 2022 draft pick by Cleveland, was added to the practice squad as either insurance against age catching up to Folk or as the long-term solution at the position -- or both. ... The decision to keep three quarterbacks was not a given at the start of the preseason. Of the three, Willis likely helped himself the most in the exhibition games. But did he do enough to be the No. 2 guy when the regular season starts? ... Speaking of the quarterbacks, what was the point of Tannehill handing off three times before he went to the bench in the preseason finale against New England? ... If there is one noticeable change with general manager Ran Carthon now in charge, it is an apparent willingness to roll the dice with players who did not face elite competition in college. ... If there are areas of concern, they appear to be the offensive line and the last line of defense, aka the safeties, or at least the depth players at that spot.

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The Titans' final week of the preseason included New England's decision to cancel joint workouts between the teams prior to their game on Aug. 25, the news that cornerback Caleb Farley's father was killed in an explosion that destroyed Farley's North Carolina home, and the news that former Tennessee wide receiver decided to end his NFL career at 28 years old and with one year remaining on his contract with the New York Jets. ... Davis was not as good a player as the Titans hoped when they selected him fifth overall in the 2017 draft, but he played one of the best games of his career against them in 2021, his first season with New York. ... The battle between young kickers Caleb Shudak and Trey Wolff ended when both were released and veteran Michael Badgely was signed. Badgley had a brief and disastrous stint with Tennessee early in 2021, and coach Mike Vrabel made it clear that Badgley might not last long this time either. ... A minor injury kept rookie quarterback Will Levis out of the preseason game at Minnesota. That allowed Malik Willis to play the whole contest and potentially stake his claim as Ryan Tannehill's backup. The Titans won that game, but Willis did not necessarily help his cause. ... Speaking of the backup quarterback battle, the San Francisco 49ers' decision to make Trey Lance, the No. 3 overall pick in 2021, their No. 3 (at best) opens the door for some interesting possibilities for the Titans, whose general manager (Ran Carthon) was in San Francisco when Lance was drafted. ... Kyle Philips became the second Titans wide receiver in as many weeks to sustain a knee injury. His issue followed the one for Treylon Burks. Each is expected to miss a matter of weeks and uncertainty about their availability for the start of the regular season will make final roster decisions much more difficult.

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Second-year wide receiver Treylon Burks sustained a sprained lateral collateral knee ligament during the first day of joint workouts with the Minnesota Vikings. Burks was injured without contact, which – after an injury-filled rookie season – raises questions about his durability. The fact that it was not a season-ending injury, however, means he will have the opportunity to live up to the expectations that many have for the 2022 first-round pick who – up to this point – had a highly productive offseason. ... The preseason opener against the Chicago Bears, a 23-17 loss, was an opportunity for everyone to evaluate the Titans' young quarterbacks, Malik Willis and Will Levis. Willis showed signs of maturity and continued development in his second preseason, as evidenced by how quickly he got rid of the ball and by how often he was willing to hang in the pocket. Levis showcased the arm strength that makes him such an appealing prospect but also (at times) looked like the rookie that he is. ... The offensive line, which has been the biggest question mark of the Titans' offseason, opened with an exclamation point, a long drive that prompted coaches to keep the starters on the bench for the remainder of the contest. The reserves did not live up to the standard that the starters set, however, and showed that the overall construction of that unit remains very much a work in progress. ... Rookie running back Tyjae Spears did nothing to diminish optimism about what he might be able to contribute to the offense this season and even chipped in as a return man.

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The first preseason game means the release of the first depth chart of the season. While "unofficial," it is nonetheless interesting in what it reveals about some players. The Titans' first depth chart shows that some have new positions, others have unexpected competition and there are those who have a long way to go to make the regular-season roster. ... Coach Mike Vrabel decided to use the game against the Bears as an opportunity to step back and allow defensive line coach Terrell Williams to lead the team. Williams was given the title of "assistant head coach – defense" earlier in the offseason, and this will allow him to garner more attention around the league and – perhaps – emerge as a head coach candidate for other franchises next offseason. ... The offensive line will be among the most scrutinized units throughout the preseason, and the starters are likely to play more than usual in this game, which will allow coaches and franchise officials an extended opportunity to evaluate them. Additionally, the hope is that one or both of the unproven kickers get a chance to perform under pressure. Plus, the pressure is on a group of young players who have been around for a year or more but have not established themselves as full-time regular-season performers. ... Jamarco Jones' bid to replace Nicholas Petit-Frere at right tackle for the first six games of the regular season ended when he was released more than a week before the preseason opener. Jones, signed as a free agent in 2022, was let go after he fought with Jeffery Simmons and angered many members of the defense with a questionable block on consecutive days.

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At this point in training camp, all coaches and fans have to go on when it comes to player evaluation is performance in practices. By all accounts, rookie quarterback Will Levis performed well on Monday. The next day, he got reps with the second-team offense for the first time. Maybe it was a coincidence (Denard Walker) thinks so, perhaps it was not (that's John Glennon's belief). What is certain is that one of them will be in position to lead the offense if Ryan Tannehill is injured this season, as he was in 2022. ... There are other position battles that are developing too. One is at right tackle, where the recent addition of veteran Chris Hubbard increased the number of candidates by one. ... Inside linebackers Monty Rice and Jack Gibbens have different strengths but it seems one of them will be a starter alongside Azeez Al-Shaair. ... The Titans don't want to pay big money for a kicker which is why they have two youngsters, Caleb Shudak and Trey Wolff, in camp. If history is any indication, performance in preseason games will go a long way toward determining who gets the job. ... Despite efforts to build depth through the draft, the Titans have a decided lack of experience and certainty behind starting safeties Kevin Byard and Amani Hooker. If someone does not emerge as a reliable performer (or performers) in the coming days and weeks, the front office likely will have to look for a free agent or another team's castoff.

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Shortly after he signed with the Tennessee Titans, wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins talked about factors that influenced his decision, including his relationships with coach Mike Vrabel and running back Derrick Henry. Curiously, though, he also cited the team's performance in the final two games of 2022, defeats that extended Tennessee's losing streak to seven games and ended its reign as AFC South champion. ... The Titans were able to make the deal for Hopkins -- in part -- because safety Kevin Byard was willing to restructure his contract. That selfless move ended a contentious offseason between the leader of the defense and the new front office. It also undoubtedly was dreamed up by one of the more underappreciated members of the front office. ... The recent decision by the NFL to suspend right tackle Nicholas Petit-Frere has created some training camp intrigue. To date, the team has resisted the urge to sign a veteran fill-in, namely George Fant. The current roster includes one candidate (likely the leading candidate) who was a forgotten man a year ago. ... Finally, Vrabel can't seem to say enough good things about the work second-year quarterback Malik Willis put in (and the attitude he displayed) during the offseason. What happens in the preseason games, though, is likely to speak volumes about what coaches want to do about who backs up starter Ryan Tannehill during the regular season.

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All of the what-ifs turned into what is when free-agent wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins said he intended to sign with the Tennessee Titans. Coach Mike Vrabel confirmed the move, which added a much-needed and proven playmaker to an offense that desperately needed one. Nearly every other skill position player should benefit from the presence of the eight-time Pro Bowler, who at 31 years old – and based on recent social media posts – remains highly motivated as he joins his third NFL franchise. It also validated the approach of first-year general manager Ran Carthon, who has preached patience throughout the offseason. ... Hopkins might not be the last veteran the Titans add this offseason. Tackle George Fant, a seventh-year veteran with 60 career starts (more than any current member of the offensive line), is scheduled to work out for franchise officials days before the start of training camp. He could provide an immediate replacement for right tackle Nicholas Petit-Frere, who is suspended for the first six games, and an established voice of experience for a unit that will be dramatically different from a season ago. ... The typically reserved Derrick Henry was among the most outspoken as NFL players reacted to the failure of three high-profile running backs to secure long-term extensions this summer. Either the two-time rushing champion felt a real need to defense the honor of his position or feared for what he might face next offseason when he is scheduled to be a free agent and will be in search of a new contract – or both.

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