Tennessee Titans

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FOUR THINGS: WK 13: EAGLES – TITANS

Posted by The BEAST on 2022/12/03
Posted in: breakdown, Coaching, Defense, Four Things, NFL, Offense, Players, playoffs, Preview. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , . 1 Comment

LAST week DT Fletcher Cox, DE Brandon Graham, DE Josh Sweat and OLB Hasaan Reddick combined to knock QB Aaron Rodgers from the game, and setting up the end of his era in Green Bay. This week we turn our gaze to deposing the supposed “king”. Now is not a good time to be considered NFL royalty. Because we’re hunting for another crown.

DT Fletcher Cox on the hunt

A win makes us 11 – 1, and keeps us at the top of the NFL food chain. There are seven seats at the playoff table. That means we have to be better than NINE teams in the conference. Winning an 11th game would mean that we can’t lose more than 6 games this season. EIGHT teams already have 7 or more losses. We’d be two Washington or Seattle losses away, from clinching a playoff spot.

A loss would make us 10 – 2. However, both we and the number two team, are playing non-conference games this week. So no mater how this weekend works out, we’ll keep the top seed. For at least one more week, the NFC belongs to us, and no one can do a goddamn thing but genuflect, and kiss the motherfucking ring.

So let’s go get this win, and kill any hope that the peasants may be harboring.

****

The point of Four Things isn’t to predict a winner, it’s to discuss which tactics would give our Eagles the best chance to win this game. So here are the Four Things that we need to focus on this week, versus the: Titans

1) Pick The Fight: The Titans style isn’t one of being particularly clever, but of being physical. The Titans, almost to a man, will be looking to punch us in the mouth. As a team, the Eagles have faced adversity vs weather, on the scoreboard, and with calls by officials. This time, as individual men, they will be tested physically.

As Philadelphians we pride ourselves on being ready to drop the gloves faster than anyone else. Sunday we get to see if our team is as tough as the fans. (It’s RARELY the case though. See: Gang Green Defense, Buddy Ryan) The Titans however, are about that life! Instead of accepting their invitation to a fight, we need to start it, and finish it.

Winning at the line of scrimmage. Tackles that put men on the ground. Hits that draw flags, and send their players to the blue tent. These are the things we need to see Sunday. No finessing our way through this one. We need our toes to tickle their tonsils the hard way.

2) Keep Him Clean: Keeping blockers off of MLB T.J. Edwards will allow him to flow to the Titans 247 pound RB, and meet him in the hole before he can gather any momentum. That means our Defensive Linemen can’t allow Titans offensive linemen to have quick, clean releases off the line of scrimmage.

With their RB being so large, he needs holes, not creases. If we can delay their linemen even half a second, it malforms the hole that the RB needs to run through. If the Defense can trap the RB between the linemen, it’ll be easier to slow their run game. Look, they’re going to run the ball a lot. So we don’t need to shut down their run game, just make it unreliable.

3) Rush for 100 yards: The Titans are 0 – 3 this season when they allow 100 yards rushing. They’re 1 – 4 when their opponent rushes for 75 or more. That said, this one is more about us, and less about them.

Running the ball successfully, is about being able to impose will on someone who is giving their all, not to let it happen. If we can do that against a team as physical as the Titans, we will have sent a POWERFUL message to the entire the NFL. If we cannot, it’s best to know it (and fix it), before we find ourselves in the playoffs.

4) Tight Man Coverage: When I say Titans WR, who’s the first person you think of? Nope, he plays for us now. Think of someone else… Can’t? Neither can anyone else, since their WR’s have COMBINED for just 3 of the Titans 11 receiving scores. No one is afraid of these guys.

Making things worse for them, is QB Ryan Tannehill, the Neapolitan ice cream of NFL QB’s. His 36 – 16 record as a Titan says reliable, but his limitations…

Imagine a slab of this, melting on a styrofoam plate, next to a square of sheet cake. Yum. Tannehill.

Watching Tannehill try to force passes to sub-par receivers, wearing CB’s Darius “Big Play” Slay and James Bradberry, like shadows, should buy enough time for our deep and talented Defensive Line, to shred their lackluster offensive line.

****

If the Eagles do these Four Things, then we’ll be virtually impossible to beat. That being said…

This is the game on the schedule that scares me. For many it’s the Dallas re-match, but I’m neither here nor there with that one. That’s a division game. Division games (like footballs) can take funny bounces. See the difference between our Washington games? Yeah. So I’ll see how I feel about Dallas, when that game gets here.

The 7 – 4 Titans score an average of 19.0 points per game, vs allowing 18.6. They don’t have the firepower to reach 30 points, and haven’t all season so far. So this game like many of their other games, they’re going to try and turn into a low scoring brawl. Usually I don’t suggest playing down to an opponent, but we need a good fist fight.

Talent-wise, the Eagles are head and shoulders above the Titans, in most areas. If we bring the same level of physicality to this game as they do, we should win this game in a walk. However, this is a different type of opponent than we’ve faced all year, and we need to be ready to meet that type of challenge in the playoffs.

****

Prediction: EAGLES 26 – Titans 17

WARNING: I don’t have the faintest clue as to what a point spread is, and I know even less about how it works. I know football and that’s IT. If you use Four Things as a gambling tool, you are trying to lose your money, and will deserve it when you do.

Check back in a couple of days for Four Things Reviewed, and we’ll discuss how this game went.

FOUR THINGS REVIEWED – WK PS1 – TITANS

Posted by The BEAST on 2019/08/09
Posted in: Conversations, Defense, Four Things, Offense, Players, Rants, Reviews, stats. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

IF you hadn’t already heard, QB Nate Sudfeld has a non-season ending broken left wrist. QB Cody Kessler is your back-up. I’m looking for my whelm, but it’s under something right now.

Until last night I didn’t know that you could waste a meaningless game, but the Eagles sure as hell learned me “reeeal gewwwd”. I expected more urgency and purpose from our coaching staff. Silly me.

Eagles 10 – Titans 27 

2019 ps1sudfeld-leaves-game.jpg

Mumble mumble mumble. Bitch bitch bitch. Grumble rant weep string of profanities.

I hear you asking, “What about all the stuff that stats don’t reveal?” Well, that’s the reason for these “Four Things” articles. We introduce an idea of what needs addressing BEFORE the game, so that fans have to honestly answer questions about those things, AFTER the game. This helps to get us, and keep us, all on the same page.

So, of the Four Things we were looking for in this last game, what exactly did we see?

1) Starters need to play a quarter: NOPE! Didn’t even dress. (NOT DONE)

2) Go deep to DJax: Again, didn’t dress, and even the sideline interview was shallow. (NOT DONE)

3) Look good running the ball: Let’s see… 16 handoffs, for 36 yards. That’s (carry the 12…) 2.25 per tote. You read that right. That’s not a typo. It was two and a motherfucking point two-five yards per carry! RB Jordan Howard (3 – 8 – 2.7 – 0 – 0) didn’t do much to signal that our run game has turned the corner. Then again, neither did anyone else. Isn’t that right, Josh “Do you want fries with that?” Adams? (NOT DONE)

2019 psg1 .jpg

4) Testing LB depth: LB Zach Brown was stout against the run and didn’t invite any passes thrown his way in coverage. That made me happy. I thought that LB L.J. Fort looked very good out there. Especially in coverage. LB Nate Gerry overran his run fit on one play, and gave up a long run up the middle. It was shades of the 90 yard run that he surrendered to Redskins RB Adrian Peterson last season. The middle is probably the wrong spot for Gerry. S Johnathan Cyprien looked good when acting as a LB, but missed his deep S assignment, and helped give up a touchdown that at first looked like it was on Fort. The Eagles need to clearly define Cyprien’s role. (DONE)

So that brings us a Four Things score of 1 out of 4. In a lot of ways this was a wasted week, because any questions you had about the starters are still unanswered. Questions about the back-ups? Still unanswered. Maybe we’ll get some of those answers next week when we go visit QB Nick Foles down at his new digs in Jacksonville. QB Carson Wentz (if he dresses) vs Nick Foles. Should be a hot one!

On The Whole:

The thing about playing back-up exclusively in Preseason Game 4 is that there is no next game, and cutdowns are right on the back of that. There is real pressure to be had in that situation. Players reveal themselves in those moments.

Playing back-ups exclusively in the first game, takes the pressure is off, because they know they get a second audition in PsG 4. Did you see a sense of urgency out there last night? I know I sure didn’t.

I’m not trying to ruin anyone’s enthusiasm, but if the theme of this year is that everything matters, then this game should have looked as if the coaching staff took it seriously.

2019 ps1 andre dillard.jpg

There were some positives however. LT Andre Dillard looked flat out amazing for a a rookie, in his NFL debut. He was poised and cagey, despite not being physically overwhelming. DE Shareef Miller could end up as the 5th end in the rotation. He did a good job of setting the edge, and pressing the action upfield. His hand-fighting still needs work, though.

FOUR THINGS – PS WK 1 – EAGLES-TITANS

Posted by The BEAST on 2019/08/05
Posted in: Coaching, Defense, Four Things, NFL, Offense, Players, Roster. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , . 1 Comment

PS1-TEN

EVERYTHING matters. That’s the theme of this season according to Eagles Head Coach Doug Pederson. Last year we had a number of injuries that held us back. There can be no disputing that. However, Doug also said, that at this time last year, the team (him included), let some of the little things slide. The result of letting things slide, was a 9-7 finish, and playoff games on the road. So the emphasis this year, is on the details.

This game here will allow us a chance to see what happens to player discipline and attention to detail, when the pressure gets turned on. Given that half the roster is about to watch their dreams of being an NFL player die in about a month, you had better believe that everyone is…

Under-Pressure.jpg

The Titans finished last year at 9-7 for the third straight year in a row. Offensively they suck ass, but they have a top 10 defense, which they used to beat us (23 – 26 OT) last year. Time to get revenge right? RIGHT?!

Meh.

This game isn’t about winning it. The object here isn’t to win the game. The object is to use the game as a test of who has bought into what we’re doing. The object is to see who gives that all out effort, that ball out effort. To see who’s been studying their playbook. To see who is playing assignment sound football, and trusting his teammate to do the same.

Zach Ertz Dallas Goedert.jpg

If we win, great. It would mean as much as a loss right now, but hey, we’ll take it. A win this week however, needs to be a mere byproduct of building this team.

So let’s talk about the Four Things we need to focus on this week versus the Titans:

1) Starters need to play a quarter: One quarter, that’s it. We need a few looks at how some of the new guys (DT Malik Jackson, WR DeSean Jackson, MLB Zach Brown) are meshing. While we don’t want to overwork those guys, we need a large enough sample size to be able to say “Okay, X has got this” or “X needs to work on such and such”.

2019 DJax Wentz.jpg

2) Go deep to Djax: Not too much this week. One shot over 30 yards should be good. The idea is to test the chemistry between Djax and QB Carson Wentz. If there are any bugs in their timing, now is the best time to throw interceptions. Also, the longer we wait to “unveil the weapon”, the more pressure there will be for it to work, when people first see it. Get the ‘Oooh Ahhh Ohhh’s’ out of the way early.

3) Look good running the ball: Despite all the buzz about rookie RB Miles Sanders, the guy we need to have a big year is RB Jordan Howard. Finishing with a stat-line of (5 – 20 – 4.0 – 0 – 0) with a 10 yard run somewhere in there, would be a solid indicator that we’re better off now, than we were during the playoffs.

4) Testing LB depth: The Eagles will likely keep six LB’s, and this game may tell you who they’ll be. OLB Nigel Bradham is still nursing a foot injury and OLB Kamu Grugier-Hill will miss months with a knee injury. So we should get a good look at Zach Brown. Brown can play the run in his sleep, but how well he executes our coverage concepts, could affect the number of Slant, TE Curl, and Crossing routes that teams try to run against us. LB’s Nate Gerry and L.J. Fort likely stick as Special Teams players, but KGH’s injury opens the door for rookie T.J. Edwards to close out Paul Worrilow’s career. Recent signee Johnathan Cyprien is an in the box S, who may be used in the Nickle LB role and used to also push Gerry.

If we do all these things, we’re just about guaranteed to win. Scratch that for now. If we do all these things, it will help us win a lot of games LATER. When they actually count.

Now that we’ve covered what should happen, let’s get into what likely will happen:

Shaq and Alex Trebek in a phone booth.jpg

Both teams will run pretty vanilla packages because that’s what happens in the preseason. Especially early in the preseason, which actually favors Tennessee. They’re a defensive team, with a pedestrian QB (Marcus Mariota), and a 247 pound RB (Derrick Henry), coached by a former LB (Mike Vrabel). The Titans would like to make every game, a fist-fight in a phone booth. Preseason suits that style.

While the Eagles are experts of 11-personnel (3WR, 1RB, 1TE), Doug has said he wants to use more 12-personnel (2WR, 1RB, 2TE). This game would be a great lab in which to conduct that experiment. So expect to see less “Air Coryell”, and more “modified Erhardt-Perkins”, from us. Expect to see us do less head-hunting, and more working the body.

Final score be damned, I want to see a lead after the first quarter. Something like10 – 6 would be fine. After that we can be outscored 3 – 21 for all I care. (QB Ryan Tannehill is their back-up, after all.) The Eagles will take some shots, but ultimately this game isn’t a contest, it’s a classroom.

PREDICTION: EAGLES 17 – Titans 24

article regular-coaching gametape

 

#4 WENTZ RUNS FOR 300 YARDS

Posted by The BEAST on 2019/04/05
Posted in: Coaching, Offense, Players, stats, The 12, Uncategorized, X's and O's. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

4-WENTZ RUNS FOR 300 YARDS.jpg

GETTING 300 rushing yards out of QB Carson Wentz, should be a priority this season. While that might sound like a lot, it’s just 19 rushing yards per game. Still, there are people who will be skeptical of having the QB run. This is despite how much it helped us be the best team in football in 2017, and how we slipped several notches when he didn’t run much in 2018. 

It’s silly. He’s a football player, not a porcelain doll. Moreover, just a few rushing yards per game can turn even an average QB, into someone that teams need to be wary of. (See: BORTLES, Blake / MARIOTA, Marcus / TRUBISKY, Mitchell). Even when Seattle’s roster sucks, QB Russell Wilson makes them worthy of fear. Running QB’s can even help teams that should get blown out, steal a game here and there. We witnessed this firsthand vs the Titans, last season.

Running QB’s are lethal to defenses. Adopting and adapting the tactic of making the defense worry about ALL 11 offensive players on the field, will only make moving the ball easier for us. (As it did in 2017.) The notion that it’s more dangerous for the QB is a moot point given that Wentz himself said that, he’s still going to run here and there. We may as well strategize to make it more effective.

Look, a quick 5 yard scamper and slide, when the pocket opens up ahead of Wentz? That’s cheap and easy real estate. Go get that! Eat those up! Put pressure on opposing MLB’s and ILB’s. Get them looking at our QB, and losing track of who they have in coverage. Later on that opens up big plays behind them in the passing game.

All for just 19 yards per game.

While we’re on the subject of using our QB like an athlete (wild idea, right?), here’s a play I’d love to see the Eagles run for him.

QB screen

Yes. That’s a QB Screen. Yes, it’s  my design. (Notice how well it’s blocked up?) Imagine Wentz gaining 30 or more yards on that thing.

It’s for when we’re backed up inside our own 10. It’s for 3rd and 11 in a tied game. It’s for the first play of overtime. It’s a momentum stealing, 70-piece, Ultra Combo to the face. You know. One of these:

And for those reasons, we need to do this. Or something very like it.

If opponents now have to be aware of Wentz, they have to plan to contain him. At which point we already have them doing something they aren’t comfortable with. The idea here is to rattle them mentally.

Again, all for the low low price of just 19 yards per game. We’d be fools not to.

FOUR THINGS REVIEWED: WK 4: TITANS

Posted by The BEAST on 2018/10/01
Posted in: Conversations, Defense, Fans, Four Things, Offense, Players, Reviews, stats. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , . Leave a comment

 

AGHOLOR

RELAX, everybody! Relax! Yes. This should have been a win, but there’s a lot of good to be mined out of this loss. I stated in the opening paragraph of Four Things that “This is the “look in the mirror” game that you need in Week 3 or 4.” Prior to the game, our QB said that the team is still trying to find it’s identity.

We needed this game. Not in terms of the win, but in terms of being knocked on our ass. Easy wins feed the win column, but gritty losses can build a champion. Just think back to how we lost to the Chiefs in Week 3, last year. You can’t respond to adversity until you face some. I

adversity.jpg

On a positive note (and there were some positives), the Eagles WR situation is now a building block instead of a stumbling block, or a weakness to hide. WR Alshon Jeffrey (8 – 105 – 13.1 – 1) played in his first game of the season and looked every bit the #1 option we need him to be. Returning Eagle WR Jordan Matthews (1 – 56 – 56.0 – 1) chipped in by hanging six, on Bill Belichik’s favorite CB. The problem was the 2015 version of WR Nelson Agholor (5 – 22 – 4.4 – 0 ). He seemed to drop as many passes as he caught. QB Carson Wentz (33/50 – 66.0% – 348 – 2 – 0) was sacked four times, and it felt like he got hit every time he dropped back, despite heavy use of play-action. Then again, if you want to sell play-action, you need to run the ball more than 22 times (22 – 109 – 4.9 – 0 – 0). Play selection that looks like 50 passes to 22 rushes (69.4% pass) will get your play-action ignored and make your QB a sitting duck.

Our Defensive Line was amazing. As usual. Our LB’s were solid as well. We amassed 3 sacks and held the Titans to 70 yards on 22 carries (3.1ypc). What blew chunks out the ass, was the Secondary. Again. Especially CB Jalen Mills (3 – 0 – 0 – 0):

flaming toast.jpg

FS Corey Graham (9 – 0 – 0 – 0) starting his first game in place of the injured Rod McLeod, seemed out of position on a few plays. Too many pass attempts seemed to be deeper than he was. (Not a good look!)

I hear you asking, “What about all the stuff that stats don’t reveal?” Well, that’s the reason for these “Four Things” articles. We introduce an idea of what needs addressing BEFORE the game, so that fans have to honestly answer questions about those things, AFTER the game. This helps to get us, and keep us, all on the same page.

So, of the Four Things we were looking for, in this last game, what exactly did we see?

1) Rattle the cage: We needed to hit QB Marcus Mariota (30/43 – 69.7% – 344 – 2 – 1/ 10 – 46 – 4.6 – 1 – 0), early, often and hard. We didn’t. Instead, we allowed him to get comfy and complete just about 70% of his passes. Then again, that’s what happens when our Secondary is committed to playing a bad scheme. NOT DONE

2) More power running: I wanted ten to twelve runs up the gut and we had eleven, out of twenty-two rushes, got up the middle. This might have produced the desired effect, had our own play selection (50 passes, 22 rushes) not undercut the credibility of our play-action. Still, we did get it done. DONE

3) Start fast: We allowed the Titans to score on us on their opening drive, and didn’t score a single point until the second quarter. NOT DONE

 

4) Play our game: Wentz said that this team is still looking to find it’s identity, and that he was looking to see who’d step up. Well it would seem that we’ll be waiting yet another week for that answer. NOT DONE

This week we limped away with a 1 of 4 score, and even that was more of a technicality. For the year we sit at 6 of 16. Hopefully we get some of this cleaned up before our match-up against a Vikings team that will be using us as a measuring stick, next week.

flooded

On The Whole:

The knee jerk reaction is to be pissed over this loss. Every mistake in it gets magnified, and every great moment, grows an instant layer of dust. This would be an over-reaction. The idea of a measuring stick game, is that it tells a team what they need to sharpen, and what they can build on. There can be no excusing or getting around problems that so obviously presented themselves. Now the coaching staff can get down to the business of making the necessary improvements. (Pass defense, defensive scheme adjustment, securing catches…)

agholor drop

FOUR THINGS: WK 4: EAGLES-TITANS

Posted by The BEAST on 2018/09/27
Posted in: Coaching, Defense, Four Things, Offense, Players, Preview, Uncategorized. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , . 1 Comment

W4-TEN

THIS week we get a perfect measuring stick game. We’re on the road, (likely) short-handed at WR, and still trying to tighten up our pass defense, despite an injury to FS Rodney McLeod. We have an external threat to handle, while coping with some internal weaknesses. This is the “look in the mirror” game that you need in Week 3 or 4.

Both teams come into this game tied atop their divisions with a 2-1 record. (Although the Titans holds a head-to-head tie-breaker, over the Jaguars.) A win would give either team a tiny cushion and clear control of their division for at least one more week.

Lady Luck may have given us a wink, since we are slated to get back RB’s Jay Ajayi, Darren Sproles, and possibly WR Alshon Jeffery this week. That might offer Offensive Coordinator Mike Groh, a chance to show some creativity.

So let’s talk about the Four Things we need to focus on this week versus Tennessee :

1) Rattle the cage:

bad day

The Titans head coach is on record saying that his QB still can’t make certain throws. (Due to an elbow injury.) That means we need to hit him early, and hit him hard. Yes, that means a couple of early flags, but it’ll be worth it when we stroll out with the “W”. If we put it into his head that we’re about to make his injury worse, he’ll be less accurate with his throws for the balance of the game.

2) More power running: I say it every week. This team needs to run the ball right up the gut. Nothing stops pass rush like a power run game. When a speed rusher has to look inside first, it means he’s not rocketing off the edge. Translation: He has already slowed himself down a step. So far this season, we’ve done a lot of outside running, and it plays to OLB’s already setting the edges. If we make the run a threat in the middle, then our WR’s have more room to get open around the numbers. I’ll say it again. We need to run up the gut. Ten to twelve carries would be amazing, but I’ll settle for seven.

3) Start fast: Let’s try for a couple of early knockout shots. Tennessee is not an explosive team. They make their living off of a plodding, but dogged run game. If we get up on them early, they basically have no chance of coming back. Especially with their QB’s injury situation. If we can lead 14 – 3 or 17 – 7 by halftime, that should be enough to put it on cruise control, and get QB Nate Sudfeld some mop-up snaps late in the 4th quarter.

4) Play our game: That’s not just an Offensive or Defensive key, that’s Special Teams too. This is an opponent that would be very easy to play down to, but that would be a mistake in two parts. First, it would open the door to possibly losing to them. Second, this team hasn’t had an opportunity to play the way we’d like it to. This is a chance to floor it, and learn things about ourselves that will help us against tougher opponents.

pam yup.gif

If we do all these things, we’re just about guaranteed to win. Now that we’ve covered what should happen, let’s get into what likely will happen:

This is probably going to be a boring game to watch. (Unless the Eagles light it up.) Playing tight or nervous against a bad team, only opens the door to losing. Head Coach Doug Pederson knows this, and so the Eagles will likely come out playing with an almost reckless abandon. So expect QB Carson Wentz to throw the ball downfield more than he did last week.

The Titans situation at WR is far worse than ours. In fact, their entire passing game is a nightmare. They have 2 passing touchdowns and 3 interceptions. One of those 2 scores was thrown by their Punter on a fake. It’s a dismal team. As long as CB Jalen Mills doesn’t assist the Titans in moving the ball this week, or he doesn’t getting juiced for another pair of scores, we should be able to keep Tennessee in check. Last week I’d have picked the Colts if they were at home. This week I don’t think it matters where the game is played, Eagles win it in a walk.

PREDICTION: EAGLES 24 – Titans 13

yeah-bitch

DEAR ZACK METTENBERGER,

Posted by The BEAST on 2015/05/18
Posted in: Conspiracy Corner, Draft, NFL, Roster. Tagged: , , , , , , , . 2 Comments

get a clue

WITH the #2 overall pick in the Draft this year, the Tennessee Titans selected QB Marcus Mariota out of Oregon. While the position he was picked at virtually guarantees that Mariota will start, Zach Mettenberger (last year’s starter) has said he won’t yield the starting QB job without a “fight to the death” . Like everything about Mettenberger so far, I find it courageously sad.

This won’t be a fight to the death, because Mettenberger was already dead well before the 2015 Draft. When you’re a 6th round pick and the team goes and grabs a guy #2 overall at your spot, they’re kinda sorta sending you a subtle message. Which is hilarious considering how much help the Titans need, and that Mettenberger flashed some promise there.

Last year I got to watch him play against us in a 43 – 24 win for the Eagles. The kid looked good out there all things considered. He was a rookie 6th round draft pick, forced to start for a shitty team, that everyone knew in July was going nowhere but home in January. Still the guy played his overmatched little heart out, showing not a solitary ounce of quit in that game.

A good team would have looked at Mettenberger’s 83.4 rating, his never-say-die attitude, and the fact that five of their three 20-point games were with him starting, (including three straight weeks during five straight starts). A good team would have focused on coaching up a diamond in the rough and using that #2 overall draft pick on some help for their utterly atrocious defense. The Tennessee Titans however, are not a good team.

So the Titans did what bad teams do. They blew the #2 overall pick on a QB who is physically talented, but may have a steep learning curve before he’s NFL ready, let alone a playoff level performer. Meanwhile Mettenberger gets to waste away on the bench as the back-up to a question mark.

Barring injury to Mariota, while I admire Mettenberger’s spirit, his days of being the Titans starting QB are laying on a slab, right next to Jake Locker’s career. Someone should put on some Bone Thugs N Harmony and walk his career towards the light.