First Down And Tenn: Tennessee Titans News Links
By Les Bailey
The Tennessee Titans get back to work today following a day of rest on Tuesday. The Wednesday session is closed to the public, but we should get some reports from the usual sources. I thought it would be a nice time to check around the internet for some current news and opinions. Get you coffee and lets get this show on the road.
Let’s tap brakes on Marcus Mariota bandwagon – David Climer The Tennessean
Marcus Mariota missed an open receiver in practice the other day. He botched a handoff in another practice.
I swear. I saw both with my own two eyes.
I raise these points because somebody needs to tap the brakes on the runaway Mariota bandwagon. The guy’s human. He hasn’t single-handedly rescued the Titans franchise just yet. Can we wait a couple of weeks before naming him MVP of Super Bowl 50?
Brian Orakpo Most Important Piece for Titans Defense – Kenneth Goit PFSpot
With Brian Orakpo playing at his best, Tennessee’s defense could very well be a top-15 squad. If he cannot stay healthy, or if he does not play like he did before his most recent injury, then the Titans could be staring mediocre-to-terrible straight in the eye.
There is no doubt about it: Orakpo is the biggest key to Tennessee’s defensive success in 2015
Attorney defends Justin Hunter, says he didn’t sucker punch anybody – ESPN Staff
The lawyer for Tennessee Titans receiver Justin Hunter said Monday that his client didn’t sucker punch anybody outside a Virginia Beach, Virginia, bar following a massive brawl inside of it over the July Fourth weekend.
“I think our evidence will show, and I’m not going into specific details, that maybe even the group that includes the guy bringing the charges were the aggressors,” said attorney Toby Vick, as quoted in The Tennessean.
Hunter has been charged with felonious assault in his hometown for punching someone multiple times, although he’s been released on bond.
2015 Fantasy Football Draft Prep: Tennessee Titans team outlook – David Richard CBS Sports
Tennessee had to use four different quarterbacks, then watched one of them (Jake Locker) retire before they could even sign him to a new contract. They couldn’t get a rusher to deliver 100 total yards in any one game, their leading receiver was a tight end who amassed 890 yards and they scored a total of 26 offensive touchdowns, tied for second-fewest in the league.
It’s no wonder the Titans wound up spending the second overall pick in the draft on quarterback Marcus Mariota. Pinning their hopes for change on him isn’t such a bad idea — Mariota won 36 of 41 games at Oregon, throwing 105 touchdowns and rushing for another 29 over three seasons.
Why Marcus Mariota was up and down in the red zone – Paul Kuharsky ESPN
For a quarterback, 7-on-7 work is supposed to be easier than 11-on-11 drills. There is no pass rush. There is no crowd to see over or around. Receivers should win matchups and provide open targets.
But in the Tennessee Titans‘ Monday night practice it didn’t work that way forMarcus Mariota during red zone work.
Early Impressions of 2015 NFL Draft Picks 1-5 – Carl Cockerham With The First Pick
Mariota isn’t as advanced as Winston is in a pro style system so the Titans approach with Mariota is different. They’re not throwing all the different looks he’ll see just yet but he’s doing a good job of learning to play like an NFL quarterback. Most reports out of camp have him throwing with anticipation and into tight windows, unlike what he did in college.
Mariota is actually coming along faster than the Titans thought he would with the basic fundamentals in a pro style offense. Quarterbacks coach John McNulty said, “There were a couple things in his footwork with the run game, and now he’s got it aced. So obviously he worked on that over the five weeks.
Eddie George Believes Titans Are on the Right Track – Jim Wyatt Titansonline.com
Eddie George isn’t ready to say the Titans are back.
George, one of the biggest stars from the glory days of the franchise, thinks the team still has work to do to become a playoff contender.
But the former Titans running back likes what he sees from the current team, especially at the quarterback position.
As George looked on from the sideline at practice on Monday night, he thought of his former teammate, Steve McNair, when he watched rookie quarterback Marcus Mariota.
“Watching him, watching his presence, he has a calming presence,’’ George said of Mariota. “He is a lot like Steve, a quiet leader. He doesn’t have to say a whole lot. He just gets the job done. He has command of the huddle and looks so calm and that is really impressive, especially as a rookie.”
Next: Realistic expectations for DGB