First Down And Tenn: Tennessee Titans And NFL News
By Les Bailey
It’s hard this time of year before teams show up at training camp to dig out a lot of news for just the Tennessee Titans, so let’s include news from around the division and league with morning links. Maybe even a little Fantasy Football as well!
Fantasy Football: Tennessee Titans 2015 Season Preview – Bruce Matson Fantasy CPR
Tennessee Titans 2015 Season Preview
The Titans finished last season with a 2-14 record while placing 4th in the AFC South Division. The Titans don’t appear to have any studs in fantasy this season, but they do have some players that will come at a value in your draft that could contribute to your roster. They may finish the season at the bottom of their division again, but if you can hit on a couple of their players late in your draft, you might not finish in the bottom of your league.
Titans’ Mike Martin sheds pounds to improve production – John Glennon The Tennessean
On a team that’s been trying to get bigger and bigger on the defensive line, Mike Martin is taking an interesting approach to the coming season: He’s getting smaller.
To improve his quickness, mobility and conditioning level, Martin has dropped a noticeable amount of weight, from the 318 pounds he said he played at in 2014 to about 290 or 295 at the Titans’ recently completed minicamp.
Only two other regulars on the Titans’ defensive line — Ropati Pitoitua (298 pounds) and Karl Klug (278) — are listed below 300 pounds.
"“I’m feeling really great,” Martin said. “I’ve got my weight back down to where I was in college. I’m feeling a lot better than I did and I’m moving better.”"
Offensive uncertainty gives Texans average offseason grade – Tania Ganguli ESPN
Best move: Signing nose tackle Vince Wilfork. This 11-year veteran is in the twilight of his career, but he’ll be a big help to the Texans on the field and in the meeting room. They signed the defensive lineman to a two-year deal worth $9 million, reuniting him with the defensive coordinator with whom he began his NFL career. Romeo Crennel’s last year in New England was the year the Patriotsdrafted Wilfork. Signing him enables somewhat of a transitional period for the Texans. He won’t play 11 years with them, naturally, but while they look for the guy who will, they’ll have one of the best ever to do it as part of their team.
Andrew Luck, Arian Foster, J.J. Watt head All-AFC South Team – Dave Dameshek NFL
Guard: Chance Warmack, Tennessee Titans
If nothing else, the talented ‘Bama product will have a slightly more sculpted physique to show off heading into his third pro season.
Defensive tackle: Jurrell Casey,Tennessee Titans
The Titans‘ defensive foundation is the rare nose tackle who not only stuffs the run, but brings consistent pressure on the quarterback from the inside.
Outside linebacker: Derrick Morgan, Tennessee Titans
The Titans made sure the coveted edge rusher out of Georgia Tech didn’t get away in free agency this offseason. Look for him to take off in new defensive assistant Dick LeBeau’s linebacker-friendly scheme.
Outside linebacker: Brian Orakpo, Tennessee Titans
With Casey and Co. doing their thing up front, Orakpo and Morgan could become twin terrors in the division this year, provided the former D.C. star can stay healthy.
Five reasons the Colts can win Super Bowl 50 – Evan Massey Fox Sports
There aren’t any teams in the AFC that look better all-around than the Colts, but their main competition will come from the NFC if they do reach the Super Bowl. Teams like the Green Bay Packers and Seattle Seahawksare going to be very tough for the Colts to beat, but they are now without question worthy of being ranked among them.
Researchers look at impact of Thursday games on NFL schedule – Darin Gantt NBC
For all the variables that go into the NFL schedule, and all the work the league has done to make as many people happy as possible, invariably there are many who won’t be.
But a team of researchers at the University of Buffalo believes it has found ways to make scheduling more equitable, and the league is listening.
Next: Tennessee Titans: Gambling With The Future