Tennessee Titans Morning Links: That'll Work Edition

by August West on Apr 16, 2010 9:31 AM CDT in Tennessee Titans Links

Gerald McRath was one of the more impressive rookies the Titans have seen in a while, as the fourth rounder came in and was being groomed to start almost right away. After answering the bell in his 5 starts last year, McRath is ready to step up. The question is, with Thornton, Witherspoon and maybe Bulluck already competing for 2 OLB spots, is there enough room for the young gun?

This week's Jam is a performance by (and interview with) New Orleans' own Kermit Ruffins, who people with outstanding taste will recognize from David Simon's new HBO show Treme. If you have HBO you better be watching it, and if you don't find a way to steal it, son. The music alone is worth the risk, never mind that the stories are going to be amazing. In episode one Ruffins, who plays himself, had one of my favorite exchanges in years with Steve Zahn's music nerd character outside of the club in the linked video:

Davis (Steve Zahn): America needs some Kermit.... You’re just standing there telling me that all you want to do is get high, play some trumpet, and barbecue in New Orleans your whole damned life?

Kermit: That’ll work.

Sounds good to me too.

Follow us through the jump for more linky links...

Jim Wyatt lets it be known that LenDale White, fresh off of signing his RFA tender, is available for any interested teams... we're looking at you, Seattle. Don't think Pete Carroll would be interested in his former USC stud? Carroll just signed former epic-Lions bust/Titan Mike Williams, so I'm guessing he's interested in every former Trojan he can get his hands on.

Paul K looks at the nuances of draft deliberations, and just how important it is to have but-in from scouts, coaches and the front office. Here's a gem about the perils of listening too much to a position coach over a scout:

• Secondary coach Marcus Robertson liked Ryan Mouton, who struggled as a rookie in 2009.

• Defensive line coach Jim Washburn wanted Jason Jones and William Hayes in 2008, and they still rate as works in progress.

• Former running backs coach Sherman Smith endorsed Chris Henry in 2007, and Henry busted and is gone.

Reserve O-Lineman Daniel Loper was cut by the Lions yesterday, and he may be headed back to Nashville.

PFW charts each team's draft needs.

Shutdown Corner has us taking Derrick Morgan in yet another mock draft.

Have a great weekend!

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Comments

You think White can bring anything of value?

Anything higher than a 4th or 5th? At that point, isn’t White worth more to us?

by TNTitans on Apr 16, 2010 9:55 AM CDT reply actions

I think he could be worth more to us...

and i would like to have him past this year but that isn’t a reality. He wants to play and he is will go somewhere else next year that will give him the opportunity… and he should. So knowing that, we may as well get something for him. The problem is the team that takes him knows that they are only guaranteed a year of LenDale… hence a 4th or 5th round reality.

Don't HAIT. Save the HATTEN for the HAITTERS!

by phileyoung on Apr 16, 2010 9:58 AM CDT up reply actions

I don't know how valuable White could be to us.

He didn’t play enough last year to be able to get a good look at him. I still think…you let C..ya..J take it from our 20 to their 20, and then give it to LD..(I like Ringer, too.) BTW, I like the fact that there’s some competition going on at the OLB spot, it should only serve to make everybody better.

by titansfan4ever on Apr 16, 2010 10:04 AM CDT up reply actions

I think White is a bad fit now...

For what the Titans are trying/need to do. I’m not expecting CJ’s backup to be as effective, but he needs to get away from people and make plays on check downs. The D isn’t good enough to play ball control, 3 yards and a cloud of dust football, and the QB needs a speed guy at that spot to perform at a high level. In other words, I’d prefer a lesser player than Lendale as long as he has some speed. Could be the rare situation where it’s a win/win trade. Lendale is a good NFL running back, he really should be getting more clock elsewhere.

by WC22 on Apr 16, 2010 10:18 AM CDT up reply actions

LW's market value=#5...

Unless you are absolutely sold on him (maybe Carroll is) and can get an extension that’s fairly club friendly (possible if playing time is promised and it’s incentive laden). In that case, maybe a #4 + a conditional pick or something late.

Not too much tread on the tire with Lendale, has proven he’s decent on a YPC basis and can score. Lendale can’t and really shouldn’t get on the field for the Titans as anything other than a situational guy, but he is a guy that can be a winning football player elsewhere with 150 carries. If the asking price on Marshawn Lynch is a #2, then a #4 for White seems possible given the familiarity with the player and lack of off field issues.

by WC22 on Apr 16, 2010 10:05 AM CDT up reply actions

Don't get HBO

But the Wire was one of my favorite series ever when I finally got around to watching it via Netflix. Looking forward to seeing this one.

by numbertenox on Apr 16, 2010 10:13 AM CDT reply actions

I've got The Wire season two playing on HBO On Demand right now

Music City Miracles blogger and official Jon Bovi tour manager.

by August West on Apr 16, 2010 10:53 AM CDT up reply actions

If you haven't seen it before, you won't be disappointed.

Season 2 is excellent. Season 3 is the best, though, IMO. Stick with it.

by SuperHorn on Apr 16, 2010 11:06 AM CDT up reply actions

Alright...fill me in

I have never seen a single episode. What’s the premise?

Official MCM Hater!

Adrian Peterson just fumbled again.

by gramsey712 on Apr 16, 2010 11:14 AM CDT up reply actions

yea same never seen it

REAL SOVIET DAMAGE!!!

by SouthTexasTitan on Apr 16, 2010 11:17 AM CDT up reply actions

Police drama about a group of detectives investigating inner city drug dealers in Baltimore.

It’s told from both sides, police and drug dealers. The show is really slow, so you have to commit to it. But, as the seasons go on, the character development is fantastic. A lot more realistic than most shows. Wikipedia puts it best:

The Wire is an American television drama series set and produced in Baltimore, Maryland. Created, produced, and primarily written by author and former police reporter David Simon, the series was broadcast by the premium cable network HBO in the United States. The Wire premiered on June 2, 2002 (see 2002 in television) and ended on March 9, 2008. The five seasons comprise 60 episodes.

Each season of The Wire focuses on a different facet of the city of Baltimore. They are, in order: the illegal drug trade, the port system, the city government and bureaucracy, the school system, and the print news media. The large cast consists mainly of character actors who are little known for their other roles. Simon has said that despite its presentation as a crime drama, the show is “really about the American city, and about how we live together. It’s about how institutions have an effect on individuals, and how whether you’re a cop, a longshoreman, a drug dealer, a politician, a judge or a lawyer, you are ultimately compromised and must contend with whatever institution you’ve committed to.”1

Despite never seeing a large commercial success or winning major television awards, The Wire has been described by critics as the greatest television series ever made.2 3 4 5 6 7 The show is recognized for its realistic portrayal of urban life, its literary ambitions, and its uncommonly deep exploration of sociopolitical themes.

by SuperHorn on Apr 16, 2010 11:19 AM CDT up reply actions

best TV drama ever, no question

and season 3 is the apex

The Dual Threat, Official Enforcer/Stat Geek of MCM.

by hal41605 on Apr 16, 2010 12:18 PM CDT up reply actions

Yup.

And, despite being a criminal, Stringer Bell might be one of the coolest characters to ever be on TV.

by SuperHorn on Apr 16, 2010 12:49 PM CDT up reply actions

No spoilers ;-)

by numbertenox on Apr 16, 2010 12:50 PM CDT up reply actions

Like him too,

but my favorite was Omar.

by numbertenox on Apr 16, 2010 12:53 PM CDT up reply actions

A Man's gotta have a code.

Omar, ftw.

Music City Miracles blogger and official Jon Bovi tour manager.

by August West on Apr 16, 2010 1:47 PM CDT up reply actions

You got the briefcase

I got the shotgun

by numbertenox on Apr 16, 2010 2:07 PM CDT up reply actions

The big thing

is that it’s really more like a mini-series in each season. Plot lines don’t resolve in a single episode like most TV series. They stretch the whole season long. So it was a hard show for people to just watch a single episode here and there. You had to commit to seeing the whole thing. Watching it like I did through Netflix that was easy, but when it was airing I can see why that would be an issue for some.

The characters are awesome, the stories are great. Each season has a different theme, although drug trade is consistent. First season is all about cops vs. drug trade, second the theme is illegal activity in the harbor district (my fave season), one season it was schools, another media. Each season take a different viewpoint on drug activity and keeps some central characters but introduces new ones.

Great stuff.

by numbertenox on Apr 16, 2010 12:47 PM CDT up reply actions

Oh I've seen the whole series

season two is just what they have up right now. Season 3 is definitely G. I’m a big fan of season 4, even though I couldn’t stand the political story line; those kids just break your heart.

Music City Miracles blogger and official Jon Bovi tour manager.

by August West on Apr 16, 2010 1:46 PM CDT up reply actions

Treme is nothing like the wire. If you are expecting anything as good you will be let down

by CarlosLehder on Apr 16, 2010 10:44 AM CDT reply actions

I'm a long time fan of New Orleans jazz/funk

so I’m eating it up. But you’re right, it’s a whole different thing than the Wire.

Music City Miracles blogger and official Jon Bovi tour manager.

by August West on Apr 16, 2010 10:52 AM CDT up reply actions

Are the Titans really gonna keep Thorton around?

How much longer does his contract run?

If we have him for 2011, and he can benefit from taking a back up role for a year, then we should keep him around. He’s a good veteran presence, which is something we won’t have much of, it seems, and if a year of less wear and tear can bring him back to his 2006-08 form, then who wouldn’t want him? Gotta restructure that deal, though. 4.3 mil for a reserve is expensive.
If 2010’s his last year, siyonara, Thorton san. It’s been great. We couldn’t have done it without you, but this is your exit.
Its disappointing because Thorton was our lead by example guy. He always reminded me of Jessie Tuggle because he seemed to never miss a tackle.

by NikoliVoltron on Apr 16, 2010 12:08 PM CDT reply actions