Tennessee Titans Morning Links: Buffalo Nickel Edition

Did you miss MCM Radio last night? Check it out here, but you should still sit down and think about your life and what's really important. It was 45 minutes of solid VOIP gold, son.

Working with the Cardinals this preseason has hit pretty close to home for Titans linebackers coach Dave McGinnis, who was with the Cardinals as defensive coordinator, then head coach, before coming to Nashville. There are several players from McGinnis' tenure still on the team, but seeing the old faces also brought back stirring memories of a player he coached who isn't there anymore: Pat Tillman.

The NFL Fanhouse chronicles the improvement of Vince Young and the wide receivers. Young talks about his maturation process, and hits upon a pretty apt comparison in a lot of ways: Drew Brees. Most people forget that the reigning world champion and perennial MVP candidate put up three middling years as the starter in San Diego before the light clicked on and he realized his full potential. I mean it's not like the Chargers drafted Eli then traded for Rivers out of choice, they saw it as a necessity at he time.

The Tennessean has some notes on the individual performances at yesterday's practice, but the gem has to be what happened to Rusty Smith afterwards:

Rusty Smith was only 1-of-2, but later he was nearly disrobed signing autographs. He inked and gave away his hat, shirt and cleats. When a lady asked for his shorts, he drew the line.

Follow us through the jump for quality linkage...

The Arizona Republic has created a mystery wrapped in a conundrum: which one of our cornerbacks is referencing buffalo nickel's off the top of their head? Somebody was overheard on the sidelines betting a teammate that Leinhart Leinart would check-down on an upcoming play (which he did), and the the antiquated money piece was the prize. What, he couldn't bet the guy a malt, or tickets to a talkie? These are things we really need to know!

Here's a cool idea: SI writers ranked the best players at each jersey number over NFL history. Three Oilers/Titans lead the pack at their number, but i"im not going to spoil the fun for you. I highly suggest checking this one out if you love NFL history at all. I do have a few beefs though: how in the hell is Eli Manning in the 'worthy of consideration' category for number 10??? That would be an absurd pick if Archie Manning was making this list. Also, if you didn't know who was going to be the best player to ever wear no. 16, then I don't want to talk to you.

Anyone surprised that the Titans ranked in the middle of the pack when it comes to franchise value, according to Forbes? How could be surprised by any display of mediocrity by this franchise anymore? Enough of that negative talk... SUPER BOWL HERE WE COME!!!!!!

ESPN ranked the most indispensable player on each team, and, to no one's surprise, CJ2K was the pick for the Titans.

From the sounds of the owners coming out of yesterday's pow-wow on an 18-game season, it sure sounds like something the owners are going to leverage towards at the CBA bargaining table.

Former TSU-standout, and current Cardinals baller, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie took advantage of his stop-over in Nashville to drop by his alma mater.

For those who are interested, here's Mel Kiper's first 2010 Big Board (In$sider subscription required), which has Julio Jones hilariously low at no. 16. Jones could run a 4.9 at the combine because he was in jail the night before on cocaine smuggling charges and go higher that 16th... have you ever seen that kid play????

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