Delanie Walker, photo courtesy titansonline.com
The Train Daddy is back, bringing sports news, life lessons and politically incorrect talk to you, the loyal country folk of Middle Tennessee. Sometimes I freestyle—no studying, no notes, just the brain of the Train at work—and that’s what you’re about to get this issue.
Sometimes it feels good to just type, no preparation needed. Granted, when I write articles involving stats and numbers and events of history, I must prep prior to writing and check for accuracy. There is only so much knowledge in a brain, even one as fact-packed as the Train’s brain!
Let me point out that my take on the Mayweather/McGregor fight was practically spot-on. Yes, I’m gloating.
So, let’s break down the train wreck that was MTSU’s football season opener vs. Vanderbilt and talk Titan Talk, a team that is poised to represent the state of Tennessee with gusto. What’s gusto? Its defined as beating people into submission and then branding them with a Tennessee state logo on their forearm. Okay, its synonyms are more like enjoyment, delight, pleasure, bootie-bootie, satisfaction—all words that will ultimately define the 2017 Tennessee Titans Season!
My impression of the 2017 MTSU Blue Raiders football team on opening night: One word to describe it is “ugly,” while its synonyms include unattractive, monstrous, vile, unlovely, poop deck . . . you get the point, it was a bad start to the season.
MTSU was embarrassed and it looked like a high school football team lost on the field. I was there at the game, 11 rows from the field, and I was desperately trying to find some good to build on. This has nothing to do with the team, but I was disappointed with the direction the school is heading with home games. First off, the Band of Blue was almost nonexistent, and that has not been the case in the past.
College games should be loud with live marching-band music; instead we get a heavy collection of garbage from the loudspeakers. Every song was a rap song, turned up full volume, and that sucks!
Don’t get me wrong—I can appreciate hip-hop, but what’s the point when half the words are censored in the songs they choose? I wasn’t alone in this, as many longtime fans expressed their distaste about the music. No one wants to see whatever a Dougie is.
Back to football, the offensive line was horrible, the run game was nonexistent, the quarterback was demolished and the defense looked dazed with many blown coverages. MTSU staff also must have been confused; they blew the load prematurely! It wasn’t a touchdown, yet with 50 seconds left, they set off the fireworks and sounded the sirens all for an incomplete pass. Even the announcers at CBS Sports stated, “Uh-oh, a little premature, all for an incomplete pass.” I love Murfreesboro, and I wish MTSU success, but this was embarrassing.
Okay, it’s time for Titan Talk!
This team is poised to have a breakout year, I know Coach Mularkey recently stated he wanted all his players to ignore the talk of how good they are projected to be this season. They’re riding high after last year’s winning season, the first in many years. How can Titans fans not be pumped up and excited?
They’re led by a young quarterback who is destined to be great. They’re returning a veteran running back who led the AFC in rushing last season. They brought in goodies for quarterback Marcus Mariota on the receiving side. The secondary was awful last year and Mr. Dick has been working on remedying that. Can you believe Dick LeBeau has been on the field for nearly 60 years as a player and coach? The defensive coordinator is a legend and demands excellence, he struts the field like a man half his age, and players listen. I’m excited to see him turn water into wine and get the praise he deserves. You watch the secondary this year. Though one of the worst secondaries in the league last season, you just wait and see once the season gets underway. Mr. LeBeau, a defensive legend, will work that magic!
The Titans’ biggest battle in my opinion is the AFC South. Yes, they suck when competing against division opponents. I do know the Titans have lost 11 straight to the Colts and have lost 8 of the last 10 to the Texans (okay, I did have to look up that Texan stat, so sue me!). They must win these games! I mean Andrew Luck is broken, and who is the quarterback for the Jaguars and Texans? That’s right, you don’t know!
The defense must cut down on giving up big plays. I know last season they ranked near last in giving up plays over 20 yards. With the signing of cornerback Logan Ryan, a badass tackler, he should help there.
Jack Conklin and Taylor Lewan may be the two most important pieces to the Titans success. One is on the right other on the left, and they make sure Marcus Mariota stays clean (and have been doing a fine job at that!). Not only do they decrease the number of sacks, but they open holes and increase the production in the run game.
One of my favorite Titans is Delanie Walker, who will mentor the young tight end drafted this year . . . okay, I forget his name, and I promised I wouldn’t look anything else up. I do know he was drafted in the third round and played at FIU.
Corey Davis
Earlier I mentioned the goodies; receivers Eric Decker and Corey Davis should be a boon for Marcus this season. Let’s hope so!
This article hits the stand a few days prior to the Titans opening game vs. the Oakland Raiders. That’s going to be exciting! I love Derek Carr’s game, but the Titans will take that game at home. I imagine the Titans defense will struggle a bit, with the offense ultimately getting the win.
I believe the Titans will easily start the season 4–0. I like to analyze teams in four-game stretches, and I love their schedule to start the season: two division games away and two home games vs. the Raiders and Seattle. I imagine Oakland being the toughest test there, I’m not sold on Seattle this season.
That’s it my friends. Train Daddy Jeezy, the writing weezy, spittin’ sentences like a man possessed on cheezy! All I know is Captain, don’t delete me, these rhymes be sweet like Nacho Libre!
MTSU, get your act together. Tennessee Titans, dominate! Train’s out the station!
The 2017 Tennessee Titans Schedule:
Sunday, Sept. 10, 12 p.m.
Raiders
Sunday, Sep 17, 12 p.m.
@ Jaguars
Sunday, Sep 24, 3:05 p.m.
Seahawks
Sunday, Oct 1, 12 p.m.
@ Texans
Sunday, Oct 8, 12 p.m.
@ Dolphins
Monday, Oct 16, 7:30 p.m.
Colts
Sunday, Oct 22, 12 p.m.
@ Browns
Sunday, Nov 5, 12 p.m.
Ravens
Sunday, Nov 12, 12 p.m.
Bengals
Thursday, Nov 16, 7:25 p.m.
@ Steelers
Sunday, Nov 26, 12 p.m.
@ Colts
Sunday, Dec 3, 12 p.m.
Texans
Sunday, Dec 10, 3:05 p.m.
@ Cardinals
Sunday, Dec 17, 3:25 p.m.
@ 49ers
Sunday, Dec 24, 12 p.m.
Rams
Sunday, Dec 31, 12 p.m.
Jaguars
