First Down And Tenn: Tennessee Titans Get Offseason Grades
By Les Bailey
With the big Memorial Day holiday coming up news around the Tennessee Titans camp is thinning, but we dug around and found some stories for your Friday morning.
ESPN Insiders ranked the NFL’s offseason by teams, and although the Titans were ranked in the top 15 with a B-, TitanSized Co-Editor, Will Lomas had a problem with the grading system used by the experts.
Titans get their offseason grade from ESPN Insiders – Paul Kuharsky ESPN
ESPN NFL Insider Mike Sando gathered opinions from several colleagues as he doled out offseason grades to every team in the NFL.
The Tennessee Titans get a B-minus.
Bill Polian thinks if they fit the offense to Marcus Mariota that Bishop Sankeywill become a more effective back. He also says tight end was not a strength last season but that it was largely on the quarterbacks.
Reading the analysis: ESPN grades the Tennessee Titans offseason – Will Lomas Titan Sized
I usually don’t like to talk about when other people say something I don’t agree with about the Tennessee Titans. There are multiple takes on everything in the NFL and that is one of the reasons that it is so fun and entertaining to read sports media.
However, sometimes people say things that just get under your skin because they are clearly not true. So when I saw that ESPN gave the Tennessee Titans a “B-” in their offseason grades column, I didn’t think it what upset me, but here is why it did.
If Whisenhunt flops, expect Titans to woo serial flirt Jon Gruden – Jason La Canfora CBS Sports
I know you are probably sick of hearing this stuff, and frankly so am I, but I’m already hearing whispers about Jon Gruden and possible landing spots for 2016.
One I would keep a close eye on is the Titans. Gruden has strong family ties to Tennessee and he was courted heavily by the University of Tennessee a few years back. The Titans could end up sold in the next 12 months, and having a rock-star coach would be a great asset to boost the value of the franchise and its media profile, and any new owner might want Gruden anyway.
The team has had a vacancy at the team president position — anywhere Gruden lands he would mandate more or less control of the football operations — and Gruden is highly enamored with quarterback Marcus Mariota, who the franchise just selected second overall. Having a quarterback in place would be a key element to luring the offensive guru.
Fantasy Impact of Titans’ Rookie Class – Marc Macaluso PFSpot
The Tennessee Titans loaded up on the offensive side of the ball in the 2015 draft, using seven of their nine picks on offensive players. Out of the seven offensive players picked, the Titans hope they have landed a franchise quarterback, a potential No. 1 receiver and short-yardage running back. The Titans also added a fullback, two offensive lineman and a sure-handed receiver, but we will focus on the three players who could have the biggest fantasy impact out of the Titans’ rookie class.
Chargers optimistic about Philip Rivers extension – Chris Wesseling Around The NFL
After making it clear leading up to the 2015 NFL Draft that Riverswould not be traded, the Chargers are renewing efforts to keep their franchise quarterback in blue and gold.
The Bolts are now optimistic about signing Rivers to a long-term extension, NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reports, via sources with knowledge of the team’s thinking.
The sides have made “a little progress,” Rapoport added on Thursday’s edition of NFL Total Access, and the Chargers‘ hope is that a new deal will allow Rivers to retire with the organization.
Note: I felt compelled to include a story about Philip Rivers after we flirted with the idea of him coming to Music City!
Next: Tennessee Titans Early Fantasy Rankings