Lavelle Hawkins Has Been Grounded By More Than Just Jeff Fisher

by August West on Jun 23, 2011 10:46 AM CDT in Tennessee Titans News

I don't need to see another thing to know this is the preseason, and that makes me have a sad.

No Titans wide receiver in recent memory has had as lopsided of a comments-to-games active ratio as Lavelle Hawkins. Every training camp The Hawk garners praise from the players and press who see his improvement, then wows fans with a few preseason circus catches, only to go right back to the inactive list or the bench on Sundays. Each year Jeff Fisher and Mike Heimerdinger would soft-pedal comments about mental lapses and a perceived lack of focus that led them to keep the former 4th round pick grounded behind the likes of Justin McCariens, Justin Gage, Paul Williams and Brandon Jones.

Now we're hearing another reason The Hawk has been grounded, and this time Gramsey can't blame it on Fisher or Dinger...

Cross-country airfares. I kid you not. Hawkins missed the recent full team-ish workouts at Father Ryan HIgh School because he couldn't afford a plane ticket from California to Nashville:

"I was actually on my way (from California)," Hawkins said. "But I was waiting on a ticket that a friend of mine was supposed to get, a buddy pass, and it didn’t come through. And the tickets were so high. I was trying to get a one-way ticket and it was like $450-something, and I was like, ‘No, I can’t do that.’ "

Now, I know the lack of workout checks is starting to take it's toll on these guys who haven't been making millions, but you can't splurge on a $500 ticket to get to what is, for all intents and purposes, your job? Really? Hawkins has been making around $300K-$400K for three years.

What really makes me shake my head at this is Lavelle is one of the rare Titans WR who can catch a pass consistently without catching a grand jury indictment these days. He's got to be hanging on by a thread after four years of not seeing the field, yet he can't scrounge up $500 to get to Nashville and workout with his new QBs.

Of course it's not like Hawkins has been sitting around all offseason while the owners and NFLPA* work hard to ruin the NFL. The Hawk has been working out at the University of California with Jag-offs Maurice Jones-Drew and Jason Hill. He's in town now, and plans on continuing to workout with his fellow teammates until early July. Hawkins also indicated that he'd be sure to return if the lockout continues and the players organize another unofficial workout outside the purview of the coaches.

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Comments

It'a Jeff's fault for not giving him a $9 million dollar contract!!!!11!!!1!2!1!

It's all fun and games until someone gets a concussion from a stray flying footbal. *cough* Kerry *cough*

by MikeGriffFan27 on Jun 23, 2011 11:53 AM CDT via mobile reply actions

Can’t this team get a decent WR who doesn’t…

… do or say something to embarrass himself or the team or both?

Personally, I’m sick to death of all these foolish things involving our players…

I had to stop arguing with drunks, Steeler fans, and all other fools.
It was making my brick wall jealous...

by steeler-hater on Jun 23, 2011 12:20 PM CDT reply actions

What has Hawkins done that has embarrassed the team?

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by gramsey712 on Jun 23, 2011 12:35 PM CDT up reply actions

he said OR

Titans fan from the Bronx

by Adam M. on Jun 23, 2011 1:35 PM CDT up reply actions

Hawkins hasnt done anything embarressing

The only time he’s in headlines is from his potential.
I’ve seen hawkins in training camp and he played like the best WR out their when the cardinals were here

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Chris Johnson (2008-2011) HighLights

Alterraun Verner Rookie Highlights

Yes, Chris Johnson has broken more tackles than Adrian Peterson in 2009 and in 2010

by Ice0ne (CAJ) on Jun 23, 2011 1:38 PM CDT up reply actions

What has Hawkins done to embarrass himself?

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by gramsey712 on Jun 23, 2011 1:56 PM CDT up reply actions

IMO

as a man this is embarrassing. to make 400K a year and not be able to invest 450 to be with your team. This guys isn’t making 50k a year like a normal person. if he genuinely cant afford that then that shows horrible money management skills.

Titans fan from the Bronx

by Adam M. on Jun 23, 2011 2:09 PM CDT up reply actions

it’s not really about the money, he doesn’t want to fork over a wad of cash to go to a glorified two hand touch game.

Damn it feels good to be a contributor, Music City Miracles.
@DPR9

by danielreese05 on Jun 23, 2011 2:13 PM CDT up reply actions

lol

well if you look at it that way…

Titans fan from the Bronx

by Adam M. on Jun 23, 2011 2:39 PM CDT up reply actions

Exactly…

… it’s embarrassing that he is relucant to part with what’s “chump change” for a pro player.

If he didn’t want to spend it, at least he could have came up with a nicer sounding excuse than this one, even if it was a big fib…

I had to stop arguing with drunks, Steeler fans, and all other fools.
It was making my brick wall jealous...

by steeler-hater on Jun 23, 2011 8:51 PM CDT up reply actions

What about the other 30 players who weren't there?

Or are we just trying to be Stampede Blue today?

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by gramsey712 on Jun 23, 2011 12:37 PM CDT reply actions

ZING!

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

by Jimmy on Jun 23, 2011 12:39 PM CDT up reply actions

it’s times like these that I’m extremely thankful for what we have.

Damn it feels good to be a contributor, Music City Miracles.
@DPR9

by danielreese05 on Jun 23, 2011 12:56 PM CDT up reply actions

that's low

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by August West on Jun 23, 2011 1:00 PM CDT up reply actions

This whole thing was very-BBSish.

You are better than this.

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by gramsey712 on Jun 23, 2011 1:04 PM CDT up reply actions

Wha? Seriously?

There was no faux outrage here, hell there wasn’t any outrage at all. I was just pointing out a pretty obviously dumb comment Hawk made to the Tennessean. If I was BBS-lite I’d be saying “that’s why he’s never going to amount to anything” or “Mikey should cut Hawkins now” or “GLENNON IS ONLY PRINTING THIS BECAUSE HE HATES THE TITANS AND AS SUCH HE SHOULD BE FIRED!!!!!”

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by August West on Jun 23, 2011 1:24 PM CDT up reply actions

Don't forget

“I’m the only real Titans reporter who’s willing to say it like it is..if you don’t like it, too bad. I’m only here to give the truth. This is my blog and I’ll run it however I choose.”

"You know me to be a very smart man. Don't you think that if I were wrong, I'd know it?"

by WinnipegTitanFan13 on Jun 23, 2011 1:26 PM CDT up reply actions

who said that?

Titans fan from the Bronx

by Adam M. on Jun 23, 2011 1:37 PM CDT up reply actions

BBS, head writer at Stampede Blue, ’cept he said Colts reporter obviously.

I assumed that because it was a totally asinine comment that reeks of an inflated sense of self-importance.

Damn it feels good to be a contributor, Music City Miracles.
@DPR9

by danielreese05 on Jun 23, 2011 1:42 PM CDT up reply actions

best part about that is

not a single assertion BBS makes along those lines is true:
1) He’s not a reporter, he’s blogger.
2) He doesn’t deal in facts, just ~~hot-air~~ opinions.
3) As I understand our agreements, it’s not his blog. It’s SB nation’s blog. They can fire his ass and hire whomever they please if so provoked.

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

by August West on Jun 23, 2011 1:52 PM CDT up reply actions

hahaha

I was on one of his stories about offseason practices and he talkeb about how we were practicing and the colts were M.I.A.

Then everyone came out and started criticizing him for all his work and the “Banned!” thing.
its funny, most of thier members want him fired hahaha

Check out my Youtube Channel Icecru2
yeah, i want some views...

Chris Johnson (2008-2011) HighLights

Alterraun Verner Rookie Highlights

Yes, Chris Johnson has broken more tackles than Adrian Peterson in 2009 and in 2010

by Ice0ne (CAJ) on Jun 23, 2011 1:58 PM CDT up reply actions

It is my understanding that SBN is closely monitoring his actions.

Though I doubt they do anything about it. He should’ve been fired years ago.

"You know me to be a very smart man. Don't you think that if I were wrong, I'd know it?"

by WinnipegTitanFan13 on Jun 23, 2011 4:48 PM CDT up reply actions

with the way he spews vitriol all over his members? hell fucking yes he should’ve been out.

Damn it feels good to be a contributor, Music City Miracles.
@DPR9

by danielreese05 on Jun 23, 2011 5:16 PM CDT up reply actions

he gets hits

I hate the guy, and I’ve been banned for going on 4 years or so, but the guy gets the results the bean counters want… which is sad.

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

by August West on Jun 24, 2011 9:08 AM CDT up reply actions

Because of Peyton

Once he is gone and they suck royal ass, those hits will tank dramatically.

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"MY GOD WEST STOP THE VY HATE!!!!!!!!!!!!"

by gramsey712 on Jun 24, 2011 9:10 AM CDT up reply actions

I must have missed the dumb comment

Cause I don’t care how much money I have, I am not paying 1000 bucks to fly to a 2 hour practice.

And I don’t expect any of these guys to do it either.

Official MCM Hater!

"MY GOD WEST STOP THE VY HATE!!!!!!!!!!!!"

by gramsey712 on Jun 23, 2011 1:58 PM CDT up reply actions

I'm with you

thats just way too much.

Check out my Youtube Channel Icecru2
yeah, i want some views...

Chris Johnson (2008-2011) HighLights

Alterraun Verner Rookie Highlights

Yes, Chris Johnson has broken more tackles than Adrian Peterson in 2009 and in 2010

by Ice0ne (CAJ) on Jun 23, 2011 1:59 PM CDT up reply actions

then just say

“Aw man, I couldn’t make it. Really wish I could’ve.” I don’t care much either way, but that would’ve been better.

Also, I’d like to note that I said plenty of glowing things about Hawk, and laid most of the blame for his lack of snaps on Dinger and Fisher.

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

by August West on Jun 23, 2011 2:08 PM CDT up reply actions

If Fisher had put him on the field

Maybe he could have performed well enough to get himself a new contract that would have been much more lucrative so he paying 1000 bucks for plane tickets wouldn’t have been so bad.

IT’S ALL FISHER’S FAULT!!!!!!!!!!!!11

Official MCM Hater!

"MY GOD WEST STOP THE VY HATE!!!!!!!!!!!!"

by gramsey712 on Jun 23, 2011 2:50 PM CDT up reply actions

It's kind of ironic his biggest moment(s) came in the 99-yard Arizona drive.

When you probably want your best/most experienced guys out there, if memory serves me correct I think he had two fourth-down catches on that drive, I could be mixing him up with Cook though.

Good evening. I'm Ron Burgundy, and here's what's happening in your world tonight.

by ronburgundy7427 on Jun 23, 2011 2:54 PM CDT up reply actions

only one of them was on 4th down

recap here

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

by August West on Jun 23, 2011 3:07 PM CDT up reply actions

Cook had some big plays, too.

And that was before Britt had really played a lot and before he had a chance to show his skill.

That drive is part of the reason I feel like our offense has more weapons than many people give us credit for.

"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 Jun 23, 2011 7:05 PM CDT up reply actions

despite the fact that it was against the Cardinals?

Damn it feels good to be a contributor, Music City Miracles.
@DPR9

by danielreese05 on Jun 23, 2011 7:07 PM CDT up reply actions

Haha

Good point.

by TennesseeTyrants on Jun 23, 2011 7:08 PM CDT up reply actions

It's part of the job, though.

People shell out much more than that to go to trade expos every day. It’s a job expense.

by SuperHorn on Jun 23, 2011 2:23 PM CDT up reply actions

Paying 1000 for plane tickets is part of the job?

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by gramsey712 on Jun 23, 2011 2:51 PM CDT up reply actions

I mean I guess you can just scrape by doing the bare minimum.

He seems to be excellent at that… managing to stay on an NFL roster seemingly only on his athleticism, at least if we’re lead to believe the reports that he still didn’t know the playbook last year.

He’s making north of $300k/year. Spending less than 1% of your salary shouldn’t be too much to ask.

Bottom line is this, he’d probably be better off spending the $2k to travel here than he would sending the wrong signals to the coaching staff, missing valuable reps/chemistry, and thus putting his roster spot in jeopardy.

I’m not hot and bothered about, but it seems a little short sighted on his part. It should be viewed as an investment, not an expense.

by SuperHorn on Jun 23, 2011 3:32 PM CDT up reply actions

"sending the wrong signals to the coaching staff, missing valuable reps/chemistry, and thus putting his roster spot in jeopardy."

So should we be worried about Verner as well?

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by gramsey712 on Jun 23, 2011 3:55 PM CDT up reply actions

Different.

Verner showed great promise as a rookie, and a willingness to work hard. He’s not going to be battling for a roster spot. That’s the distinction.

And, I’m not souring on Lavelle, it just would seem that since his job is in jeopardy that spending $2k on a round trip plane ticket might be a sound investment. It sends a good message to the coaching staff.

It’s a different standard for the two. Fair or not, that is what it is. Hawkins needs to earn his stripes before he gets the luxury of missing practices that are inconvenient for him (financially or otherwise).

I don’t really care personally. Product on the field is all that matters to me, but most indications are that he could benefit from doing a little more…

by SuperHorn on Jun 23, 2011 4:06 PM CDT up reply actions

Whatever.

I still think this was a cheap post.

Official MCM Hater!

"MY GOD WEST STOP THE VY HATE!!!!!!!!!!!!"

by gramsey712 on Jun 23, 2011 4:09 PM CDT up reply actions

Really?

What was your problem with it? I must have missed that before…

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

by August West on Jun 23, 2011 4:18 PM CDT up reply actions

I concede

That my comparison there is rude, nasty and uncalled for.

I sorry.

Official MCM Hater!

"MY GOD WEST STOP THE VY HATE!!!!!!!!!!!!"

by gramsey712 on Jun 23, 2011 4:23 PM CDT up reply actions

Did anyone read this and just burst out laughing?

While I’m still mad at him for missing camp, its comical that he was too cheap to buy a plane ticket. You’d have to think this is Hawk’s last ‘make or break’ year and he’s not doing himself any favours by trying to save a few hundred dollars.

"You know me to be a very smart man. Don't you think that if I were wrong, I'd know it?"

by WinnipegTitanFan13 on Jun 23, 2011 12:58 PM CDT reply actions

that's what I'm saying

I’m not mad at Hawk, just kind of stunned and confused by the whole thing.

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

by August West on Jun 23, 2011 1:01 PM CDT up reply actions

I seriously cannot stop laughing. Lavelle Hawkins just got the award for best excuse ever for missing an event.

"You know me to be a very smart man. Don't you think that if I were wrong, I'd know it?"

by WinnipegTitanFan13 on Jun 23, 2011 1:05 PM CDT up reply actions

Judging from the quote it looks like he may have just been opposed to paying that much for a one way flight. Pretty unlikely but without the rest of the quote it makes just as much sense.

by Russell Freda on Jun 23, 2011 3:00 PM CDT reply actions