Cameron Wake is now a Titan

The Train Daddy is back with sports news, life lessons and politically incorrect talk. All aboard! Spring is in the air along with those damned flying bugs, pollen and the return of my kryptonite, humidity. It’s time to smoke and grill the meats for this grill master. Time to clean the guns, refine my accuracy and do some target shooting. It’s also definitely time to go on a diet and tone up for the ladies, being that I am a respectable bachelor.

Before we talk sports, let me first give a shout-out to my brother Adam, a.k.a. The Chizzle. There was a lot of March Madness smack talk, and while I out-picked Adam by two total games—I had to point that out—he defeated me on the points and won the bracket victory. Congrats: A-Chizzle!

What shall we discuss this issue? It may be the off season for the Tennessee Titans, but some exciting moves deserve discussion. April signifies the end of the NHL regular season and the beginning of the Nashville Predators’ playoff journey, so let’s talk Smashville hockey.

But first, a random story about a man named Matthew “Mack” Robinson (1914–2000), an American track and field athlete who later became a janitor. In the 1936 Olympics Mack broke the world record for the 200-meter sprint. Why then is he a no-name? Because a man named Jessie Owens also broke the record and finished just ahead of Mack to win gold.

Mack Robinson

Later in life Matthew Robinson had a little brother named Jackie who grew into a man named The Great Jackie Robinson. What a story! By most accounts Mack had a happy life, even though his greatness was overshadowed by other historical legends in his life. You’re entirely welcome for the history lesson.

Let’s get into the beef of this enchilada: Titans talk! With a former Patriots scout as general manager, former Patriots linebacker as head coach, a former Patriots defensive coordinator as the Titans current defensive coordinator and numerous former Patriot players on the 53-man roster, I’d say the Titans are trying hard to become the Patriots of the South.

Many have tried to replicate the success of the Patriots and most have failed. Will the Titans be any different? The ownership, coaches and players all must believe as one. The Titans haven’t won more than nine games in a season since 2008. It may take a few years, but if this group can remain united together as one, they may have a real shot at replicating what the Patriots have accomplished over the past couple decades.

The Titans recently made some moves and they were genius. The recent free agency moves give the Titans much more freedom as they prepare for the 2019 NFL draft. I love the addition of Adam Humphries, an undrafted wide receiver out of Clemson who has made a name for himself. This kid catches a lot of short- to mid-range passes and turns them into bigger gains. He takes big hits, makes catches, has speed and is unselfish, a perfect fit for Tennessee. Teams like the Patriots, Saints and Broncos wanted him, yet the Titans got their man. Marcus Mariota needs Humphries. Unlike with Marcus, we know what we’re getting with Humphries, a boost as a slot receiver and a clutch playmaker for Marcus on third-down conversions. Get ready, because this sneaky white boy from South Carolina is about to become a fan favorite.

The Titans also added Old Man Wake! The 37-year-old outside linebacker may be old for his position, yet Cameron Wake still is outperforming nearly all the league’s young talent. Last season Wake totaled 36 tackles and 6 sacks with the Dolphins. His age may be a risk, but it’s worth the gamble considering the potential value.

Cameron Wake legitimately has the chance to put up double-digit sacks this season. Young pass-rushers in the NFL are making two times the amount the Titans are paying Wake and have yet to hit that kind of production. This move brings instant upgrade to the Titans defense.

The Titans also added a cheap, yet proven, insurance policy. Former Dolphin quarterback Ryan Tannehill recently signed with the Titans for a one-year deal worth $7 million, with the Dolphins set to pay $5 million of the contract due to some draft pick trades and other negotiations.

The value doesn’t get any better. Tannehill isn’t considered the starter, and it’s still the Mariota show, yet $2 million for an accomplished signal caller is a win no matter how you look at it. I truly hope Marcus balls out and shuts the haters up this season. Yet Marcus has missed eight games in four seasons due to injuries. If Marcus gets injured then thank God we have Ryan Tannehill and not the worst backup in the league, Blaine Gabbert.

I am excited about this team. I am even more excited after Coach Vrabel recently made it clear that Derrick Henry will get more touches. Duh? The team was at its best in its final four games when Henry ran for 585 yards on 87 carries. Vrabel wants to get Henry more involved in the air attack, something Henry has gotten better at. With Marcus fending off injury concerns, leaning heavily on Henry is the right move to start 2019.

The Madness of March is wrapping up, and it wasn’t the finish I had predicted for Tennessee, but we got some great games. The SEC represented the tournament well.

Yet with March behind us and April ahead we look forward to some Smashville hockey playoff time!

Predator fans should be grateful. Never take for granted how special it is to have a team that consistently makes the playoffs: five straight appearances and 12 of the last 15 years making it. It’s not easy making the playoffs in the NHL.

After the last two seasons, which included a Stanley Cup run and a Presidents trophy, this season has been up and down due to the inconsistent play of the Predators. Yet the Predators are still at the top of the Central Division, have already clinched a playoff spot and are gearing up for some tough hockey.

This team is as talented on paper as any season in Nashville history. The fact remains they have been underperforming with sloppy defense and have been consistently horrible on the power play. This team needs help outside of its top line. The talent is there, and the playoffs can awaken that greatness.

My expectations for the Predators must be that they reach the Western Conference Finals. It’s a tough task, yet anything else truly is failure. The West is stacked, yet unlike the East and the dominance Tampa Bay has shown, no one is running away with it. The Predators have too much talent and no excuses. They need to remind the NHL there still a top contender and that Smashville is unkind to visitors. Say a prayer that the Predators don’t draw the Blues in the first round. That might be bad news, but it’s looking likely now, a tough first round if that’s the case. I am excited to watch Viktor Arvidsson continue his record-breaking season scoring goals for the Predators. I need Pekka to inspire these men!

Let me hit you with some quick hits before we wrap this article up. LeBron James will miss the NBA playoffs for the first time since the 04–05 season. The Lakers on the other hand have now missed six consecutive playoffs. Jordan is the GOAT, and that’s FACT.

One more quick hit: the U.S Women’s Soccer Team has sued The U.S Soccer Federation for gender discrimination. The long fight has now taken an ugly turn, three months before the team will defend its World Cup title in France. Pretty much, the women want equal pay, same as the men. This is ludicrous—the men’s league is more popular worldwide and brings in vastly more income than the women’s league. It’s like the WNBA wanting to be paid the same as NBA players. Ha! I can’t get over the stupidity of people thinking this is gender discrimination. The men’s leagues captivate fans while the women’s leagues have trouble filling up stadiums. Sorry, that’s just the truth of it.

Alright, the Train Daddy is rolling into the station! Thanks to all my loyal readers. Remember to cheer for those Predators. Until next time, Choo-choo!