Tennessee Titans Daily Links: Titans Have Been Mediocre In Yet Another Category Edition

by August West on Feb 23, 2011 10:39 AM CST in Tennessee Titans Links

Will a new perspective on coaching the WRs help the Hawk finally soar?

Philly.com breaks down the receivers who came in with Kenny Britt, and Britt has a healthy lead over everyone in YPC. He, along with Hakeem Nicks, also have freakish catch-to-touchdown ratios compared to his competition. In fact Britt and Dwayne Bowe had the best Catch/TD ratio of any WRs to clock 9 or more TDs last year.

I have no idea how talented Dave Ragone is as a coach, but I have to say that, at least in the abstract, I love the idea of a former QB coaching the WRs. There's been a pervasive trend for years for high school and college QBs to transition into WRs at the next level, and there have been some tremendous successes at each level. The more a WR understands what's happening from the quarterback's perspective the better they will be able to react before and after the snap. That being said, I'd highly advise Thorchak to bring in an assistant WRs coach who has played the position and can teach some of the younger guys the tricks of the trade. They should be able to find a guy who can do that while accentuating Ragone and Palmer's instruction.

Paul K looks back over the years and finds that the Jaguars play the Colts the toughest of all of the AFC South challengers. The Titans land in the middle of the trio, with the Texans still being owned by the Colts. If Jacksonville could ever find away to play anyone else with that level of fire they might actually make it out of the basement every now and then.

Ryan Mallet is getting killed by the combine rumor mill. The whispers are that drug use, and even a possible full-blown addiction, were the real reasons Mallett went back to Arkansas for last season. He's already been battered by concerns about his on-field decision making, personality and leadership abilities, so adding this to that pile is costing him a mountain of money. (h/t to trevor2013 for posting a similar fanshot.)

NFL.com has a great set of articles breakingdown the top talent in each position group. The D-linemen and line backers articles are probably the most informative, but the O-line article catches my eye. There could be some very good guards available when our second and third round picks are on the clock, and I'd love to see Thorchak take a guy to come in and compete with Leroy Harris.

Tony Pauline of SI.com and TFYDraft.com previews the upcoming NFL combine and some of the storylines that could emerge.

Screw Bob Sanders, I'd rather we spend some coin on O.J. Atogwe to compete for Chris Hope's spot. Of course, if Thorchak and Gray feel like they have enough competition in-house between Hope, Robert Johnson, Nick Schommer and Myron Rolle, then they'll continue to stay out of the pre-deadline free agency (in which only guys who have been outright released can be signed).

Email me at mcmaugutwest@gmail.com and be sure to follow me on Twitter @AugustWest_MCM

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Unleash the Hawk!

Sorry…the picture inspired me.

"Do the Titans have a miracle left in them in what has been a magical season to this point? If they do, they need it now. Christie kicks it high and short. Gonna be fielded by Lorenzo Neal at the 25; he dishes it back to Wycheck; he throws it across the field to Dyson. 30, 40, 50, 40, 30, 20, 10, 5, endzone...touchdown, Titans! There are no flags on the field! It's a miracle! Tennessee has pulled a miracle! A miracle for the Titans!"

by TennesseeTyrants on Feb 23, 2011 10:57 AM CST reply actions

I wish...

I really don’t understand what he’s doing wrong to not see playing time. All we hear about is how well he’s doing in practice and then he doesn’t see the field. That leap over the defender last year was the hawk breaking out, RELEASE HIM! Hopefully Thor will find a way to get him on the field!

By the Hammer of Thor (Munchak)!!!!

by StPrattrick on Feb 23, 2011 11:23 AM CST up reply actions

If Lavelle could play

If he played like This He’d be our #1 WR!!

Cj is a beast here, a straind calf for cj is no problem. Cj vs the iggles, Ahhh the highlight reel of imagination :)

MCM's Coolest Person. See, I have Ice in My name!
-0ne

by Ice0ne (CAJ) on Feb 23, 2011 11:38 AM CST up reply actions

hahaha What was with CJ holding his leg still scoring a touchdown? That was awesome.

By the Hammer of Thor (Munchak)!!!!

by StPrattrick on Feb 23, 2011 11:58 AM CST up reply actions

strained hamstring or something like that

MCM's Coolest Person. See, I have Ice in My name!
-0ne

by Ice0ne (CAJ) on Feb 23, 2011 12:14 PM CST up reply actions

I have never seen that once In Game

Have you?

By the Hammer of Thor (Munchak)!!!!

by StPrattrick on Feb 23, 2011 12:18 PM CST up reply actions

yeah

He was injured earlier
he’s had sprained ankles, bruised ribs, sprain mcls. I ran a kR back with him while he had a strained calf

MCM's Coolest Person. See, I have Ice in My name!
-0ne

by Ice0ne (CAJ) on Feb 23, 2011 12:19 PM CST up reply actions

Poor Virtual CJ...

Sounds like something Fisher would do

By the Hammer of Thor (Munchak)!!!!

by StPrattrick on Feb 23, 2011 12:22 PM CST up reply actions

yeah, since that was from 2010

i even had one of lendale white runnig back a squib kick for a Td!

MCM's Coolest Person. See, I have Ice in My name!
-0ne

by Ice0ne (CAJ) on Feb 23, 2011 12:29 PM CST up reply actions

I'm on my 3rd season (for like the 5th time) and just drafted a WHITE TE

with 96 speed.
He.
Is.
Amazing.

By the Hammer of Thor (Munchak)!!!!

by StPrattrick on Feb 23, 2011 12:36 PM CST up reply actions

Oh i remember him

i’m on my 3rd season but on my roomates 360.
my ps3 got the ylod.

I didnt get him because i won the superbowl last season

MCM's Coolest Person. See, I have Ice in My name!
-0ne

by Ice0ne (CAJ) on Feb 23, 2011 3:14 PM CST up reply actions

Oh yeah, I just do the trade for the worst teams picks mid year so I get their first rounds

and it all works out

By the Hammer of Thor (Munchak)!!!!

by StPrattrick on Feb 23, 2011 4:39 PM CST up reply actions

well

i try to get only ppl who have A potential.
I have a 2nd year Rt who is already 88 overall.
i drafted him in the 6th round.
and he’s 90 ovr at Lg, C, and Rg

MCM's Coolest Person. See, I have Ice in My name!
-0ne

by Ice0ne (CAJ) on Feb 23, 2011 6:16 PM CST up reply actions

I got something for you if you don't already have it

A list to all the draft picks worth picking up for pretty much any scenario. It goes by who’s the top pick at QB based on your franchises draft for that year (every year its random with 20 something possible choices)

Saves me countless wasted draft picks in Madden 11

By the Hammer of Thor (Munchak)!!!!

by StPrattrick on Feb 23, 2011 10:34 PM CST up reply actions

Shit here is the link

https://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0AlyLUdZ1flENdDBNN1dLa2c2UFhlVmVfNzBoQ0txNmc&hl=en&authkey=CO3AzqoH#gid=0

By the Hammer of Thor (Munchak)!!!!

by StPrattrick on Feb 23, 2011 10:34 PM CST up reply actions

since i cant play madden 11

my ps3 has ylod.
i play on my roomate’s Xbox.
He has madden 10
and his friend has madden 11.
so i get to play it probally once every two weeks

MCM's Coolest Person. See, I have Ice in My name!
-0ne

by Ice0ne (CAJ) on Feb 24, 2011 12:54 AM CST up reply actions

Tell that bum to upgrade

It’s like 20 bucks at Gamestop.

By the Hammer of Thor (Munchak)!!!!

by StPrattrick on Feb 24, 2011 7:49 AM CST up reply actions

hahaha

MCM's Coolest Person. See, I have Ice in My name!
-0ne

by Ice0ne (CAJ) on Feb 24, 2011 12:39 PM CST up reply actions

Agree about Ragone

These days, WRs need to read the pre-snap coverage just like a QB does. The route that is run is depended upon the coverage of the secondary. I dont have any problem with a former QB coaching WRs..

by Ed R on Feb 23, 2011 11:16 AM CST reply actions

How about a breakdown on the Hartford Colonials to get some perception on our new offensive coaches?

www.mohagencomic.com

by Titan9 on Feb 23, 2011 11:19 AM CST reply actions

John McCown

yay

by pound the rock on Feb 23, 2011 11:24 AM CST up reply actions

josh mccown

boo spelling

by pound the rock on Feb 23, 2011 11:24 AM CST reply actions

On the subject of releasing a player...

I’m wondering if it makes more sense to release Vince Young now. Assuming there is no CBA by March 3, all the teams who need a QB will look to the draft, and see VY as an afterthought. If we release him before the draft, VY may find a team, which helps us because they will not take a QB high early.

Play it out with the Vikings, for example. If we release him and they sign him, its unlikely they will take a QB in the first or second round and look to fill other needs. If we hold onto him and trade him once a CBA is done, we risk the Vikes taking a QB, eliminating that QB from our choices and reducing VY’s trade value to them. From my vantage point, we can release him and eliminate a team from taking one of our possible QBs in the draft or hold onto him and deal him for a late round pick for 2012.

In Reinfeldt We Trust

by WinnipegTitanFan13 on Feb 23, 2011 11:31 AM CST reply actions

VY should have been released the first day it was possible

I don’t get the thought process behind keeping him around.

Unofficial MCM QB Rating Hater
Epistemological Police

by rothbard on Feb 23, 2011 11:32 AM CST up reply actions

1) they want to hold out for even the most eager trade offer once the CBA is signed

2) Why help VY and his next team by letting him get into a new system early? The longer they wait the less time VY has to find ways to avoid putting in work or being a leader.

Music City Miracles blogger and High Secretary of Funk. Follow me @AugustWest_MCM.

by August West on Feb 23, 2011 11:35 AM CST up reply actions

I am all for them saying screw you VY

but it might be better for the team to release him.

In Reinfeldt We Trust

by WinnipegTitanFan13 on Feb 23, 2011 11:37 AM CST up reply actions

meager>eager

Music City Miracles blogger and High Secretary of Funk. Follow me @AugustWest_MCM.

by August West on Feb 23, 2011 11:42 AM CST up reply actions

might as well hold onto him

until we can at least go through the motions of trying to trade him. it may be unlikely that they can trade him, but it hurts nothing to at least try and hope somebody out of the other 31 teams throws us a bone.

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

by hal41605 on Feb 23, 2011 11:36 AM CST up reply actions

"It hurts nothing to at least try and hope..."

I thought so too, but if the teams fill their QB needs than not only does that reduce VY’s trade value to what is almost nonexistent already, they have also taken a QB off the board that we may have been interested in.

In Reinfeldt We Trust

by WinnipegTitanFan13 on Feb 23, 2011 11:38 AM CST up reply actions

disagree

teams looking for a QB already know for sure that VY will be available either by trade or free agency, so if they actually want him i don’t think the draft will affect that.

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

by hal41605 on Feb 23, 2011 11:41 AM CST up reply actions

I just worry they're going to see a guy in the late first round and say

“This guy’s available now, let’s take him rather than hope we get VY in free agency or deal a late pick for a guy with a monstrous contract.”

In Reinfeldt We Trust

by WinnipegTitanFan13 on Feb 23, 2011 11:45 AM CST up reply actions

I assume its because they want to trade him for something.

But I’m not sure a 6th round pick is all that valuable compared to a team picking him up and passing on a guy like Ponder late in the first round. It also reduces the fear that some team (like the Vikes) will jump ahead of us and grab a guy we like, again like Ponder or Dalton.

In Reinfeldt We Trust

by WinnipegTitanFan13 on Feb 23, 2011 11:36 AM CST up reply actions

when does VY's roster bonus become due?

Unofficial MCM QB Rating Hater
Epistemological Police

by rothbard on Feb 23, 2011 11:51 AM CST up reply actions

My understanding is when the CBA is settled

we have 10 days to trade him.

In Reinfeldt We Trust

by WinnipegTitanFan13 on Feb 23, 2011 11:53 AM CST up reply actions

They killed any potential trade value by announcing he would be traded or released.

Granted, they could be trying to get someone like the Vikings to give up something for him instead of risking not being able to sign him in free agency, but with his current salary there’s no way anyone is taking him on via trade. Especially not when they also said they’d just cut him if no trade partner could be found.

I’m all for losing him now and hoping he goes to Buffalo, Arizona or Minnesota. He won’t be back next year regardless of how he’s canned, may as well help yourself out in the process if you’re not going to get a draft pick for him.

Ribs. I had ribs for lunch. That's why I'm doing this.

by ronburgundy7427 on Feb 23, 2011 11:34 AM CST up reply actions

IMO, no they didn't

announcing a that you want to trade a guy only kills his value is so low there’s no market for him anyway. You’re right that VY’s contract is what kills his value in real terms though.

Music City Miracles blogger and High Secretary of Funk. Follow me @AugustWest_MCM.

by August West on Feb 23, 2011 11:36 AM CST up reply actions

I agree with August here as well...

Someone else also brought up a good point a while back concerning this topic. Basicly even though VY may have little trade value out there, he may be someones guy so to speak. A team can deal a pick (more than likely a low one) and assure it’s self the rights to VY. However if they wait for the Titans to release him, they are taking a chance of him signing with another team.

by bullrider73 on Feb 23, 2011 3:06 PM CST up reply actions

Completely on board with this:

I’m all for losing him now and hoping he goes to Buffalo, Arizona or Minnesota. He won’t be back next year regardless of how he’s canned, may as well help yourself out in the process if you’re not going to get a draft pick for him.

VY is going to try to find a team with an open starting spot, thus crossing that team off of teams interested in first/second round QBs.

In Reinfeldt We Trust

by WinnipegTitanFan13 on Feb 23, 2011 11:41 AM CST up reply actions

VY is a known commodity

And will be cheaper than a 1st round QB. I assume that an acquiring team will want the Titans to pick up part of next year’s contract cost, but I really don’t know how that works.

It will be interesting to see if anyone bites. I’ll bet he ends up a reluctant Viking.

by WX_Man on Feb 23, 2011 11:52 AM CST up reply actions

If you were a new coach like Leslie Frazier

would you want to hinge your coaching career around Unnamed First/Second round Rookie + Joe Webb for a few games, or Vince Young?

That’s the question that could determine how much trade value he has. Personally I’d go with the first option, but maybe they can be convinced to go with VY.

In Reinfeldt We Trust

by WinnipegTitanFan13 on Feb 23, 2011 11:56 AM CST up reply actions

That's a good question

From a coach’s perspective, I would probably want to pick up someone in the draft and begin to build something. If I’m an owner who expects to win this year (provided there’s no lockout), then the decision gets tougher.

by WX_Man on Feb 23, 2011 12:01 PM CST up reply actions

It's not like baseball....if the Titans release him outright, they don't owe him anything.

And I doubt they would trade him and pay unless the other team offered something great in return.

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THE NFL

by gramsey712 on Feb 23, 2011 11:57 AM CST up reply actions

If they release him outright, is there no prorated portion they have to pay?

The so-called “cap hit”. Or has that already been taken care of?

Ribs. I had ribs for lunch. That's why I'm doing this.

by ronburgundy7427 on Feb 23, 2011 1:29 PM CST up reply actions

I don't think the cap hit is actually paid to the player.

I’m not sure though.

Official MCM Hater!

WOW

THE NFL

by gramsey712 on Feb 23, 2011 1:53 PM CST up reply actions

I thought the player still gets their salary regardless

The bonus is the only part they can avoid paying.

By the Hammer of Thor (Munchak)!!!!

by StPrattrick on Feb 23, 2011 2:18 PM CST up reply actions

No

VY gets nothing if they cut him before the season, and the signing bonus counts against the cap, but it is money that he has already received.

Titans Blogger at Music City Miracles even though gramsey hates it.

by Jimmy on Feb 23, 2011 3:28 PM CST up reply actions

he has a roster bonus due

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by rothbard on Feb 23, 2011 6:37 PM CST via mobile up reply actions

He gets to roster bonus if he is on the roster

if not, he doesn’t. That roster bonus is a really big hindrance in trying to trade him though because if he is traded the team that acquires him would owe him that.

Titans Blogger at Music City Miracles even though gramsey hates it.

by Jimmy on Feb 24, 2011 8:53 AM CST up reply actions