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Getting excited about the "new" LenDale White

By Drexel Perry | July 3, 2009 | Total Titans

Earlier during the offseason, I penned a piece that took a look at LenDale White's newfound commitment to being slim. Showing up to mini-camps at an impressive twenty pounds lighter compared to the previous year, White's dieting prompted me to speculate about the prospects of him having a breakout season of sorts in '09. A few months later, White's recent weigh-in of 229 pounds has added additional fuel to the fire regarding his chances of having his best year as a Tennessee Titan in 2009....

Read more | 1 Comment | Tags: Chris Johnson, LenDale White, NFL, Tennessee Titans, Titans

The Titans will cut some good players this year

By Andrew Strickert | July 1, 2009 | Total Titans

Jeff Fisher will watch a lot of competition in training camp. Photo by Andrew Strickert for Total Titans

Training camp will be a battleground for roster spots The Tennessee Titans will open training camp in just 4½ weeks and there won't be many, if any, starting jobs to be won. You can pencil in the Opening Day starters, either returning starters or veteran free agents, at each position. The jobs that will be competed for will be for depth behind those starters and the Titans have a lot of good players vying for roster spots. One good problem the Titans have is that there are more good players than roster spots available. Some difficult decisions will have to be made and some players good enough to be in the league won't be good enough to earn one of 53 positions. We'll look closely at those players and roster spots in the coming weeks but for now I'd like to just take a very broad view....

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Season Preview 2009 Minnesota Vikings

By Richie Denis | July 1, 2009 | Vikings War Cry

Anthony Chergosky from DailyNorseman.com gives us a look at the 2009 Minnesota Vikings. When you think of the 2009 Minnesota Vikings, two words probably enter your mind: Brett Favre. But when taking a look at the team, its chances of repeating as NFC North champs, and its opportunity to go further in the playoffs than it did last season, Favre is just the tip of the iceberg. All over the field and on both sides of the ball, the Vikings are a team built for success this season. This team's bread and butter is still its ability to run the...

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Feeling good about the Tennessee Titans' 2009 6th rounders

By Drexel Perry | June 30, 2009 | Total Titans

Over the years, the 6th round of the NFL Draft has been a mixed bag for the Tennessee Titans. The next-to-last round of the annual April event has reaped solid contributors such as Jacob Ford in '07 and Bo Scaife in '05. At the opposite end of the spectrum, the Titans have also utilized recent picks in the sixth on the likes of "immortals" such as Joel Filani, Ryan Smith and Jonathan Orr: a motley crew of players who failed to make their marks in Nashville. In 2009, I'm excited about the potential of this year's crop of sixth-rounders: WR Dominique Edison and CB Jason McCourty....

Read more | 2 Comments | Tags: Cortland Finnegan, Dominique Edison, Jason McCourty, Joel Filani, Jonathan Orr, Justin Gage, Nate Washington, NFL, Nick Harper, Paul Williams, Ryan Smith, Tennessee Titans, Titans

Will the Tennessee Titans pull the plug on Paul Williams?

By Drexel Perry | June 28, 2009 | Total Titans

As we mentioned shortly after a draft that saw the Tennessee Titans bring in additional bodies at the wide receiver position, the chances of Paul Williams sticking around in Nashville have dwindled. Mired in the quagmire of inconsistency throughout his first two seasons in the NFL, Williams has yet to fulfill the promise that GM Mike Reinfeldt saw in the Fresno State alum during the 2007 Draft. With the news that Williams won't be ready to practice again until training camp as a result of injuries, one has to wonder if his days in a Tennessee Titan uniform are coming to a grinding halt....

Read more | 2 Comments | Tags: Dominique Edison, Jeff Fisher, Kenny Britt, Mike Reinfeldt, Nate Washington, NFL, Paul Williams, Tennessee Titans, Titans

The 2009 Titans and the salary cap

By Andrew Strickert | June 26, 2009 | Total Titans

The nadir of the Tennessee Titans occurred following the great salary cap purge of 2005, resulting in a 4-12 record that year. It says a lot about the organization that it quickly rebuilt, improving their record for three consecutive years with 8-8, 10-6 and 13-3 seasons. The foundation exists for another title run this year and the Titans will again be one of the favorites for postseason contention. To make things even better, Tennessee is in good shape, salary cap-wise, being well under the cap. I used to track the Titans' cap religiously but no longer feel the need to do so. But just imagine what kind of shape the Titans would be in now if they once again had cap problems....

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Bigger Tennessee Titan rookie impact: Kenny Britt or Jared Cook?

By Drexel Perry | June 25, 2009 | Total Titans

The Tennessee Titans have a recent history of rookies making an immediate impact on the offensive side of the football. In 2006, Vince Young emerged as the league's offensive rookie of the year as a result of his stellar play during his debut season. Last year, the wheels of Chris Johnson revitalized a once-stagnant Titan offense by providing the team with a legit threat to take it to the house on any given play. First impressions are lasting, and judging by the rave reviews received by WR Kenny Britt and TE Jared Cook, we may be on the verge of witnessing yet another breakout performance by a Titan offensive rookie in 2009. ...

Read more | 4 Comments | Tags: Alge Crumpler, Bo Scaife, Chris Davis, Chris Johnson, Jared Cook, Justin Gage, Kenny Britt, Lavelle Hawkins, Nate Washington, NFL, Paul Williams, Tennessee Titans, Titans, Vince Young

NFL Top 10: Most Valuable Tennessee Titans

By Greg Trippiedi | May 30, 2009 | MVN Outsider

Two years ago, it appeared the future of football in Tennessee would be Vince Young on offense, and Albert Haynesworth on defense. Mulligan, please! The Titans have done a great job of assembling talent around these players--particularly on the offensive line and at running back, but they'll head into 2009 with question marks at two positions they felt strongly about back in 2007. How the replacements respond to the stresses of a starting job in the NFL will determine how this team does.I'm not as much referencing QB Kerry Collins as I am about his successor, whoever that may be. The Titans are once again weakened at the QB position, and Collins will attempt to keep the seat warm for either reclamation project Patrick Ramsey, Young, or a future draft pick.The Titans chose to totally overall their receiving corps this offseason, thus improving the environment for quarterbacks in Tennessee over...Read more

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NFL Great Debates: What to Do with Michael Vick?

By Staff Report | May 26, 2009 | MVN Outsider

NFL Outsider's Greg Trippiedi and Anthony Brown debate the issue: Which team is the best spot for Michael Vick if he overcomes the enormous hurdles necessary to get on the field this year?Greg Trippiedi says Vick shouldn't be a starting quarterback:It's pretty clear that Michael Vick is not going to have a job waiting for him when he gets back. He's 29 years old -- too old and too young in different ways. Vick's open field running abilities were already in decline when we last saw him, and that was in 2006. But that doesn't mean he won't stick somewhere. He's still got a good five or six seasons ahead of him as an effective athlete. The question though remains: Where will Michael Vick fit in, and who will take a chance on him? I don't think Vick is a good fit on a team with a clear need...Read more

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Derrick Williams, Jarron Gilbert, Jared Cook Lead Round 3 Recap

By Greg Trippiedi | April 26, 2009 | MVN Outsider

Process points become negligible after the first day, so lets look at round three and the players that each team got in the middle of the draft.65. New York Jets -- Shonn Green, RB, IowaThe Jets traded up for this pick, so the Green pick was really disappointing. I didn't think he was anywhere near the best available, and with this being the first pick of the day, I expected a great pick here.66. St. Louis Rams -- Bradley Fletcher, CB, Iowa67. Kansas City Chiefs -- Alex Magee, DE, PurdueThe Chiefs pick their second 3-4 DE of the draft. So what does this mean for Glenn Dorsey? Will he split time with Magee and Tyson Jackson, or is he already on his way out?68. Chicago Bears -- Jarron Gilbert, DE, San Jose StateChicago moves forward looking for best player available, while making sure to add a defensive lineman every year. ...Read more

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Alphonzo Smith Trade, Rey Maualuga, Pat White Highlight NFL Draft's Second Round

By Greg Trippiedi | April 26, 2009 | MVN Outsider

The second round of the 2009 NFL draft was fronted by some high profile trades. Both the Panthers and the Broncos traded first round picks in 2010 for players they had first round grades on, but drafted in the second round. Pat White ended up getting drafted by the consummate "Wildcat" offense, which seems like a good fit, if not a reach. Inside linebackers Rey Maualuga and James Laurinaitis slipped through the first round, but got drafted by teams in the second with defensive issues. They'll step in right away and help those situations.However, it was some lesser known prospects who will be the story of the second round in a few years.33. Detroit Lions -- Louis Delmas, S, Western MichiganDelmas is a local product who was clearly head and shoulders above all the other safeties in this draft. After going with the QB with a steep developmental curve in...Read more

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Green Bay Trades Up For Matthews, Colts Nab Donald Brown

By Greg Trippiedi | April 25, 2009 | MVN Outsider

Pick 26, Green Bay Packers -- Clay Matthews, LB, USCI really like the Packers' decision to make this trade. They go up, get a player who has slid down further than was expected, and use him as you transition to the 3-4 as an outside linebacker. I think this is one of the more imaginative moves of the drafts to this point, and Green Bay is doing quite the job in their defensive transition.Green Bay Packers: 11 pointsPick 27, Indianapolis Colts -- Donald Brown, RB, ConnecticutFollowing the lead of successful teams who have employed two running backs, the Colts have paired Donald Brown with Joseph Addai. Addai's contract runs through 2010, but Donald Brown will be asked to help improve an offense that ranked 31st in rushing last season. The Colts probably could have grabbed a running back later for the same effect, but they must have really prefered Brown...Read more

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NFL Outsider Mock Drafts: Trippiedi's Final Call

By Greg Trippiedi | April 24, 2009 | MVN Outsider

As promised, this will be my best attempt at figuring out how the NFL draft will go on Saturday. I'll try to project all logical trades in this space, but certainly won't be able to chart all the action that will happen. Put simply, I'll be satisfied if I nail team intentions correctly in the draft.It seems like the media is catching up to teams in terms of figuring out smokescreens. That should help me a lot in this process. We'll check back on Sunday to see how accurately this two round mock really was (don't get your hopes up).Round 11. Detroit Lions -- Matthew Stafford, QB, GeorgiaJim Schwartz thinks he can win with Matthew Stafford. And if Jim Schwartz thinks he can win with Matthew Stafford, then I agree with him. I'm still not convinced that he's worth the money though. Stafford is a deadly accurate passer who might...Read more

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NFL Top 10: Immediate Impact 2008 Draft Picks

By Greg Trippiedi | April 17, 2009 | MVN Outsider

This list might seem familiar to you. If it does, it's likely because you've seen people vote on the rookie of the year award. That's essentially the same thing. But just before NFL Outsider hits the final stretch run prior to the draft, I'm going to spend a day or two looking back at 2008. What were we right on, and where did we miss the most?This article will look exclusively at players who were drafted last year, and helped to turn potential into wins right away.10. Leodis McKelvin, CB, Buffalo BillsMcKelvin made an instant impact in kick and punt returns, returning the Buffalo special teams unit to the top of the league. This year, he'll look to make an impact on defense.9. Jonathon Stewart, RB/Jeff Otah, OT, Carolina PanthersIt's hard to say which one had a bigger impact on the Panthers' running game, but since I can't give this...Read more

Read more | 1 Comment | Tags: Atlanta Falcons, Buffalo Bills, Carolina Panthers, Chicago Bears, Denver Broncos, Houston Texans, Kansas City Chiefs, NFL Draft, Seattle Seahawks, Tennessee Titans, Washington Redskins

NFL Outsider Mock Draft: Alphonso Smith Goes to Titans

By Anthony Hall | April 13, 2009 | MVN Outsider

With the 30th pick in NFL Outsider's 2009 Mock Draft, Titans blogger Andrew Strickert of Total Titans selects Alphonso Smith (CB, Wake Forest).Coming off a league-best 13-3 season in 2008, the Tennessee Titans enjoy the luxury of having solid players that can be penciled in as starters at every position for the 2009 campaign. This isn't to say the Titans don't have needs to be filled, because they do. Depth, especially at cornerback, is the major need facing the Titans this year. At cornerback, the Titans are set with Pro Bowler Cortland Finnegan on the right side, but left corner Nick Harper is in the final year of his contract and will be 35 years old this fall, with his best days behind him. With cornerbacks Malcolm Jenkins, Vontae Davis and Sean Smith already selected in the NFL Outsider mock draft, my partner Drexel Perry believes, and I concur, Alphonso...Read more

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