I know this was covered earlier, but I wanted to hit on it anyways: so Jeff Fisher signed Chuck Cecil to a one year extension towards the end of the season, which means the Titans are now on the hook for the fired coordinator's salary. Any theories as to why Fisher would sign Cecil, and possibly others, to an extension and not tell a soul outside of the organization are on the table now. Was it a way of hedging against a possible work-stoppage? Was it a gift to a loyal friend? Was Chuck's firing a decision that came from further up the food chain in the organization? Was it just that Washburn's departure and comments were a wake-up call to Fisher that Chuck wasn't getting it done? You can provide circumstantial evidence for every one of those explanations, but it's damned near impossible to actually know what went on. Either way, the comments from an anonymous player Donnie Friggin' Nickey that there were times when Chuck was playing checkers and the opposing OCs were playing chess are all you need to know about why this is a positive move. Maybe we can at least move up to Backgammon now. Paul K puts Fisher's handling of the staff on a tee and drills it clear off the driving range.
PFW brings the most dumbfounding rumor of the off-season so far (though they call us the Texans latter in the same paragraph, so take their dedication to accuracy in a blind-item dump with a grain of salt):
As it stands, we hear the Titans' top priority re-signing among their free agents on offense is likely OLG Leroy Harris...
Climer says just about every move the Titans have made since the season ended just wreaks of desperation. I can see that point of view for sure, but outside of Washburn leaving I've been in favor of (or fine with) jettisoning Cecil and Young while allowing Craig Johnson to leave. As such, I'd feel a bit hypocritical complaining.
Marc Mariani is the only Titan to make the PFF All-Rookie team. Pretty weird to see a former-Titan on an All-Rookie list.
The City Paper says that the growing presence of the Titans at the Pro Bowl is a sign of what several of us have been saying over and over again: this team has talent. I don't buy the reasonoing, but the sentiment is on target. There are a lot of good/very good players, and some guys who can be great, on the roster already. Things went bad because of issues in the coaching staff, the implosion of the QB position and drama behind the scenes. Are there some holes on parts of the roster? Of course, but it's nothing so devastating that can't be overcome if Fisher can get everyone on the same page and playing together again. Whether he's able to finally do that for 16 games remains to be seen.
If anyone has an account at TitansInsider.com and would like to summarize this article in the comments it would be greatly appreciated.
Ohchocinco anyone? Let the jokes begin...
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