Are you ready for some Titans football?
Plus, Justin Timberlake is trying to bring the MLB to Nashville.
Welcome to the Music City Sports Report.
Eight months removed from the end of their run to the AFC Championship game (that feels like it took place a decade ago), it’s finally time to watch the Tennessee Titans take the field again!
After finishing up some last-minute roster tweaks, the two-tone blue season kicks off tonight as the Titans face the Broncos as the second game on the Monday Night Football opening week doubleheader. Kickoff is set for approximately 9:10 on ESPN.
Before tonight’s game, let’s take a look at what’s happened since that loss to the Chiefs on Jan. 19, what’s stayed the same, and what fans should expect this season.
Who’s Gone?
For the most part, the Titans kept the majority of last year’s roster intact, including most of the nucleus. However, a couple of stalwarts and key figures did exit during the offseason.
5x Pro Bowl DL Jurrell Casey, who still had a lot left in the tank as of last year, was traded to opening night opponent Denver for a measly 7th-round pick. 3x Pro Bowl TE Delanie Walker was not resigned and is still looking for a home. And perhaps the toughest onfield loss was versatile CB Logan Ryan, fresh off a career year, who signed with the Giants after Tennessee did not offer to resign him.
Other notable players gone from the 2019 roster are RT Jack Conklin, NT Austin Johnson, KR Darius Jennings, LBs Cameron Wake and Wesley Woodyard, RB Dion Lewis, K Ryan Succop, and most heartbreakingly, QB Marcus Mariota, who’s time with the Titans started off with great promise before going done in injury-filled, bad playcalling flames.
Who’s Back?
Everyone else. Most notably, the dynamic backfield duo of Ryan Tannehill and NFL rushing king Derrick Henry resigned for major money.
Key returnees still locked into their starting roles include the Mayor of Murfreesboro Kevin Byard (who was named the NFLPA’s opening week Community MVP), WRs AJ Brown and Corey Davis, TE Jonnu Smith, OLs Taylor Lewan and Rodger Saffold (the most physical guard in football according to Mark Schlereth), DL breakout Jeffery Simmons, LBs Jayon Brown, Rashaan Evans, and Harold Landry, DBs Malcolm Butler, Adoree Jackson, and Kenny Vaccaro, and one of the league’s best punters Brett Kern.
Who’s New?
Draft picks Kristian Fulton, a CB from LSU, and RB Darrynton Evans, a RB from Appalachian State, should factor into the playing rotation, as should 1st-rounder Isaiah Wilson, a T from Georiga, if he can get out of his own way.
Oh, and some guy by the name of Jadeveon Clowney.
What to Expect?
For a team that’s been 9-7 for four consecutive seasons, made the playoffs in two of the past three years, and almost made the Super Bowl last season, what would be considered a success in 2020? Another playoff appearance? A Super Bowl appearance or even win? Finally winning 10 games?
Experts are consistently putting the Titans in the playoffs in their 2020 predictions. Good Morning Football’s Kyle Brandt even has the Titans going to the Super Bowl. Personally, I think 10-6 with a deep playoff run is a reasonable goal.
Links
A number of former Midstate area players made NFL opening day rosters, whether on the actual 53-man roster or the practice squad. As did several Vols, Dores, Tigers (Memphis), Mocs, Blue Raiders, Tigers (TSU), Skyhawks, and Govs.
Justin Timberlake has officially joined the MLB-to-Nashville bandwagon.
In their first game after the long-awaited signing of a DP striker, Venezlulan Jhonder Cádiz on loan from Benfica, NSC took down Atlanta United 4-2 in an impressive win.
Nashville was the top-rated market for the NWSL fall series opener. Let’s get the NWSL-to-Nashville campaign a high-profile celebrity endorsement too!
Brentwood Academy’s Jalen Ramsey is now the highest-paid defensive back in NFL history.
Former UT Martin baseball player Alec Mills pitched a no-hitter for the Chicago Cubs. He was a 22nd-round draft pick and a walk-on at UTM. What a story.
The Grizzlies hired MIT women’s coach Sonia Raman to replace the departed Niele Ivey. She seems like a great, outside-the-box hire.
The SEC announced its updated soccer and volleyball schedules.
The Blue Ribbon Report takes a look at the nation’s top rebounding guards, including Belmont MBB’s Grayson Murphy.
Austin Peay MBB added Mercer transfer DJ Peavy.