I’m not really sure how/why I haven’t seen this before. It looks like the NFL Network did a computer simulation of the Music City Miracle. As you can imagine, I enjoyed the whole thing immensely. If you’re having a bad day at work or home, this will cheer you up. I promise. 

The Original 

And here’s somebody with too much time on their hands. Maybe I should say the same thing to myself since I took the time to watch it and post it for your enjoyment. Anyway, here’s Vince Young and the Music City Miracle, Part Deux. 

The Near Future

In my apparent Monday columns about former Titans; a bit of encouraging news came out of Dallas. 

From ESPN.com: 

Adam “Pacman” Jones and the Dallas Cowboys got what they were hoping for Monday — a partial reinstatement of the suspended cornerback. Commissioner Roger Goodell informed Jones on Monday he may participate in organized team activities, and the bonus includes training camp and pre-season games. While that decision finally gives Jones the chance to earn his way back into the league, Goodell didn’t guarantee he would be reinstated. 

Good for Pacman. I think this is a fair olive branch from the league. Hopefully he’ll realize the precarious position he’s in and take advantage of this second/third/eighth chance. Also, this looks like we’ll be keeping that draft pick from this year. This is a win-win for Titans/Cowboys fans. Good for us Nashville, good for us. 

Note to Jerry Jones: Create your own strip club in the new stadium, just to be on the safe side.

From the Associated Press: 

The Denver Broncos released running back Travis Henry on Monday, saying his commitment to the team was in question.

Henry rushed for over 1200 yards with the Titans in 2007, but always had his substance abuse problems hanging over his head. Last season with the Broncos, he originally failed a drug test, but claimed the test must have been wrong. Showing a ton of confidence in his player, Mike Shanahan totally went to bat for him. In the end, this loyalty paid off, well at least in the short run. Henry was exonerated, and able to continue playing.

Well, Shanahan’s loyalty can only go so far. Today, after the release, he sent forth this statement: “We did not feel his commitment to the Broncos was enough to warrant a spot on this football team,” Shanahan said. “Although Travis has the ability to be one of the top running backs in the NFL, we have to make decisions that are in the best interests of our organization and its goal of winning a Super Bowl.” 

*As a side note, this happens to be the year that Henry would have received a $6 million dollar bonus. I’m sure that helped speed along the process.

 I really believe that Henry is one of the better RBs in the league, and a very dynamic talent. It’s a shame that he seemingly couldn’t put the effort together when it mattered most. It amazes me when talented athletes such as reformed Texas Ranger Josh Hamilton or former LSU QB Ryan Perrilloux couldn’t adapt to the situations in front of them. I guess idle hands are the devils playground.

 For his sake, I hope Henry can turn things around.

NFL Senior Columnist Thomas George wrote a column that grabbed national attention today and made a lot of Titan fans scratch their heads.

At age 24 — only one year into his NFL career – (Vince Young) said he considered retirement. 

“I really thought long and hard about it,” Young said on Thursday after practice. “There was so much going on with my family. It was crazy being an NFL quarterback. It wasn’t fun anymore. All of the fun was out of it. All of the excitement was gone. All I was doing was worrying about things.

The story was a great read. It touched on a couple of topics that form the way Vince approaches life. The pressures placed upon a black quarterback, Young’s rough childhood in which he witnessed 10 shootings, his maturation process into a locker room leader. 

But none of this was mentioned. The focus was only on his statement that he considered retirement. I think this has been blown WAY out of proportion. This was just a case of a young man being vulnerable with a reporter. Ask yourself a couple questions. How often do you think about quitting your job? Have you ever thought about changing careers? Young had a rough season, and simply questions whether it was worth it. Young is going to be with the Titans for a long time, and we’re lucky for it.

Don’t blow this story out of proportion. I think it’s a great way to see the humanity of the face of the team. I like Vince more after reading this story.

• Chris Johnson (guy in the back) and Jamal Charles pose for fellow rookie Darren McFaddden.

The AP has reported that LenDale While told reporters that he played the entire 2007 season on a torn meniscus.

“This happened last year in preseason. I tore my meniscus,” White said. “I played on it all season. Contrary to what people believe, I am a soldier. I played on it all year and I didn’t complain, not once. I waited until the season was over to get it fixed and now I’m feeling good.”

Hmm..I wonder why he let this out now. I mean, I know he feels a little competition now. Last season he was the 12th leading RB in the NFL, but also was tied for the most fumbles lost in the league. White has a lot to prove this year. Many local reporters have mentioned that he came into camp a little heavy. But White had surgery in January, so that’s kind of understandable.

*Side Note - If you’re entire job was to be in shape, why wouldn’t you be in shape? This has never made sense to me.

White says his knee is close to 100% and could be part of an incredible tandem with Chris Johnson. We’ll see how his knee holds up over camp. It’s something to keep our eyes on.

Mike Williams was simply one of the best college WR I have ever seen. His signature play was a one-handed grab against Oregon State that helped catapult him into the top 10 in the 2005 draft. He was good enough for the team to use a first round pick for the third consecutive year on a WR. The talent was always there, but he was never able to make it in the NFL.

Terry McCormick wrote a very interesting piece in the Nashville City Paper about his attempt to make the Titans first team.

“During his time with the Lions, who picked him 10th overall in the 2005 draft, Williams was said to be frequently fined for being late for meetings and other such transgressions. The Lions were all too happy to trade him to Oakland as part of a package during draft weekend last year.”

“Williams dedicated himself to making the most of his opportunity, and if Friday’s OTA work is any indication, might make a strong case to play himself into the Titans’ plans this season. He said he has lost more than 30 pounds and hopes to show the “experts” who said the Titans needed to spend an early pick on a receiver, that that is not necessarily the case.”

On a team that is desperate for a playmaker at WR, its encouraging to know that a player with this talent may have finally decided to live up to his potential. Don’t get your hopes up, but MW has a chance to be a difference maker in 2008. I’ll keep you updated.

The Associated Press reported that the Titans will be holding a minicamp without defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth. 

“The Titans tagged Haynesworth as their franchise player in February to keep him from leaving as an unrestricted free agent. Tennessee must reach a long-term contract deal with Haynesworth by July 15. If that doesn’t happen, the team can only sign him to a one-year deal worth $7.8 million.”

Early this year, Haynesworth made it clear that he didn’t want to play under the franchise tag.  

“I’d be disappointed because that would mean they don’t really want me here long term,” Haynesworth said. “If they franchise me, I feel like they don’t really want me here long term, then I’ll prepare myself to play like that.”

Unfortunately, this may become a bigger distraction than I originally thought. Haynesworth had 32 solo tackles last season, and racked up six sacks in only 13 games. It’s hard to quantify how much impact he had on the entire line, which was much improved from 2007. The Titans defense as a whole was in the top 10 statistically in rushing yards allowed, passing yards allowed, and most importantly points allowed. Haynesworth is headed into his 8^th year in the league and would appear to have a couple more high-level seasons left in him.

You could see the difference in the entire defense in the games Albert missed. It was Christmas morning for opposing running backs. A lot of people will suggest that the Titans need to franchise him, and make him prove himself on the field again. In my humble opinion, it’s time for the team to pay up, and let him be the cornerstone of the defense for the next 2-3 years.

From the AP: The Tennessee Titans put the smallest rookie class in team history on the field Friday as part of their three-day orientation, and Johnson was the player everyone wanted to watch run.

Linebacker Stanford Keglar, one of Tennessee’s trio of fourth-round draft picks, said he tried to cover Johnson.

“He has amazing speed. I can probably say he’s the fastest guy I ever lined up against,” said Keglar, a linebacker who played at Purdue. “So … great to say that guy’s on my team.”