Tennessee Titans Daily Links: Chris Johnson Contract Watch Continues To Continue Edition

 Jim Wyatt was quick to throw cold water on the reports late yesterday that the Titans and Chris Johnson were getting closer to a deal. Wyatt is under the impression that there's still a huge divide between the last offers from both sides, but as week one gets closer and closer the atmosphere in these negotiations must have a growing sense of urgency on both sides. No matter where they really are right now, you have to agree with what Andrew Brandt said:

Brandt predicts Johnson will report to the Titans at some point after Labor Day with a new contract. If the deal’s not done by then, however, "it could be a long time," Brandt said.

 One of my favorite things to watch over this preseason has been Cortland Finnegan moving into the nickel back role when a 3rd CB comes onto the field. Paul K asks what the TItans will do when the other team has an elite receiver; will Jerry Gray fully trust Verner or McCourty to cover those guys outside and leave Cortland in the slot?
 At least seven players who are expected to make, or have recently made, the final roster are expected to miss tomorrow's match-up against the Saints. This list includes Derrick Morgan, Jason Jones, Jacob Ford, Javon Ringer, Marc Mariani, Pete Ittersagen, Troy Kropog and possibly Chris Hope. 

 Matt Hasselbeck is only expected to play 8-10 snaps tomorrow night, but the rest of the first team might play an extra series or two with Jake Locker.
 Mike Munchak joins Andy Reid and Tony Sporano as the only active head coaches in the NFL with a background in the offensive line group. David Boclair takes a look at how the common perception of that position group reflects Munchak's emerging coaching style.
 AP writer extraordinaire Teresa Walker looks at Rob Bironas' unusually uneven preseason performances, and what the ultra-reliable kicker is doing to get back on track.
 Former Titan Tuff Harris has joined the Edmonton Eskimos of the CFL.
 When you play your college ball as a Catawba Indian, just making it to the Titans' training camp is a victory of sorts. So congratulations to Julian Hartsell for doing just that!
The University of Iowa is trying to figure out how they're going to replace Karl Klug, and Titans fans have gotten a chance to see just how tall of an order that it for Kirk Ferentz.

 PFT and John Clayton are reporting that the Seahawks may cut Golden Tate. I'll be doing cartwheels if that happens and we can snag him. Tate is a tremendous athlete from just up the road in Hendersonville, TN, and he could definitely help this offense more than anyone else who's going to hit the street within the next week.

 

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