Jared Cook is at the top of everyone's list of Titans who have to step it up big time next season, so it's awesome to see that this story from Jim Wyatt is yet another great sign that Cook gets it. Read it. Seriously.
He gone. Now, He's Gone.
This thought germinated among a few of us in the comments yesterday, and I'm even more convinced this morning: The Titans should draft Andy Dalton at 8 (we can assume that would make him the 3rd QB off the board) so that they trigger a major run on QBs, and then scoop up the best defensive lineman left on day two. Defensive end and defensive tackle are by far the deepest positions in this draft, so the Titans could still get a player who fits a need and could contribute heavily in year one. No QB in this draft is ready to start next year, but getting the best long term investment is critical. I"m completely sold on Andy Dalton as that investment. Could this all be a smokescreen? Sure. But if the front office is just floating this to create some panic and induce a trade from someone else, why wouldn't you name Locker or Gabbert (who is falling fast by some accounts) as the likely target since they're the guy who more teams seem to love?
More evidence that the Titans' Dalton crush isn't a smoke screen: Terry McCormick tabbed Dalton and Locker as the QB of choice for the team days before Jason LaCanfora's report hit the web, and he expresses that view clearly here (he stated it in a recent mock draft piece where he had the Titans taking Fairley and Dalton, but there's no paywall here).
Jim Wyatt profiles Mike Munchak as he prepares for his first draft as an NFL head coach. Paul K was at the (apparently uneventful) pre-draft press conference yesterday at Baptist Sports Park, and he reports that Munchak said there was no hardline plan for who would start next year no matter what happens in the draft or free agency. Whichever QB starts on week one will have to earn it. Wow, who knew we sucked at drafting WRs? Oh yeah, everyone knew that. The Tennessean's resident contrarian says the Titans should avoid drafting offensive players of any kind in the top few rounds of the upcoming draft. Who could deny the brilliance of forgoing any offensive upgrades to a unit that finished 17th in scoring and is losing the scant QB talent they had last year. Thankfully, David Climer is paid to write columns, not make decisions. PFF tabs Stephen Tulloch as one of the top 25 players who could get screwed if last year's restricted/free agency rules are used again until the new CBA takes effect. More draft analysis over at Football Outsiders. Well played, sir:
8. Tennessee Titans: With receiver Kenny Britt facing legal trouble and a possible suspension after being arrested on three charges following a car chase, the Titans pick U.S. District Judge Susan Richard Nelson, who shot up draft boards after ending the lockout.
Investigators have ruled that fire that decimated former-Titans DE Antwan Odom's house wasn't arson.
The Raiders now officially have the second-worst stadium naming rights agreement. Nothing will top 2009's Landshark Stadium deal with the Dolphins... I don't care if it's now Sun Life Stadium, any association with Jimmy Buffet is a FAIL that can't be undone that quickly.
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