Ryan Tannehill

The Train Daddy is back with sports news, life lessons and politically incorrect talk. All aboard! November has always been my favorite month, with Thanksgiving, my birthday, prime-time football and glorious cool weather, making November the greatest month of them all.

I would argue that November is the most important month for any football team in this country. Many football fans will likely know the direction of their team by the time November ends. During the month of November far more teams have high hopes, compared to December when many teams begin to look to next season. Honestly, I love every month of football. I’m 100 percent a football junkie.

Let’s talk Titans. At the midway point of the season the Titans stood at 4–4. I wrote most of this article prior to the week 9 Panthers game because I’m headed to Disney World with the family for vacation! (I will add a few words on the result of that game towards the end of this article.)

Before we get into players and stats, let me give you a quick projection on how I think the rest of this season will play out. I believe the Titans must win vs. the Chiefs. Honestly, that’s a tough task, but it seems necessary. Then, I have the Titans looking like this: a win vs. the Jags, a loss at the Colts, a win at the Raiders, a win vs. the Texans, a loss vs. the Saints and a win at the Texans. That would bring the Titans to my projection of a fourth-straight 9–7 season. It’s possible this record wins the division (ha ha) or squeaks out a wild card. The X-factor for me is whether the Titans can get over that hurdle and beat the Colts. Plus, I feel they must sweep the Texans in order to have a shot at the playoffs. I know, I’m asking a lot. Who knows, maybe they win every remaining game and finish the season 11–5. A boy can dream big, right?

So, in last month’s article I posted a picture of me and my Titans brothers at an away game vs. Atlanta. I got a few emails from loyal readers saying the flag held by myself and the Titan-up flag held by my buddy were upside down. I never claimed I was a genius or hung out with smart folk! Take one look at the picture right now and look at those loyal Titan fans, smiling and happy as can be. The point is, you don’t have to have brains to be a loyal football fan. Just heart and passion! Titan-up!

At the halfway point of the 2019 NFL season the AFC South was the only division in which not a single team stood under .500 and the only division in which all four teams had a positive point differential. I find that very intriguing and impressive.

From Mariota to Tannehill, next man up for the Titans! Marcus was benched week 6 after throwing two picks vs. Denver. I have nothing but respect for Marcus Mariota. He gave us good times and bad times as well. The soft-spoken quarterback just wasn’t giving fans hope anymore. The most frustrating part was how inconsistent Marcus has been over the last five years. I predict he will be released after this season wraps up, but this is a tough league and it’s possible they’ll need his services once again before this season ends. Hopefully Tannehill stays healthy and keeps up the impressive play.

Since stepping in, Tannehill has been solid considering the Titans offensive line is still pretty much garbage. He went 57–78 for 649 yards, five touchdowns and two interceptions. Is Tannehill the long-term answer? I don’t know and I don’t care. All I know is he is playing well right now, and I can get behind that. Ryan Tannehill is the best QB for the Titans today and he has rejuvenated this team. He has weapons and one of the best defenses in the league on his side. It’s safe to say that if you’re a Titan fan there is a lot to be excited about right now. If the O-line and kicking game can get better this Titans team could be legit. I mean, let’s be honest, if it weren’t for the kicking woes of this team, the Titans could easily be 7–2.

I am going to use a big chunk of this article to talk about the Titans defense, because they deserve it. Titans defensive coordinator Dean Pees coached up a dominant defense last season and somehow has managed to create an even better group this season, improving in nearly every statistical category. Don’t underestimate how important that 70-year-old man is to this team. He’s the smartest coach in the locker room.

Would this team have a single win if it wasn’t for the defense? I doubt it! Despite the Titans giving up 23 points vs. the Bucs in Week 8, the Titans remain third overall in points allowed per game. This defense is top 10 in takeaways and sacks as well.

Logan Ryan. Photo courtesy titansonline.com

Logan Ryan is a superstar and making a big statement in his final contract year. The Titans better pay that man for a second deal. Only one player in NFL history has ever finished a season with 6 interceptions and 7 sacks. That is the pace Logan is on with 3 interceptions and 3.5 sacks in the first half of the season, not to mention 51 tackles and 3 forced fumbles. If you’re a Titans fan, do what I do and always keep an eye on Logan Ryan during games, because he is an exciting player to watch.

Quick shout-out to Harold Landry—that young player is showing he has the talent to be a top pass rusher in this league. Every Titans fan loves Byard, the best safety in the NFL. That’s FACT. He is great in coverage; he gives us interceptions and Byard’s underrated as a run defender.

I love watching Jayon Brown, this young linebacker is solid in coverage and can blitz with the best of the veteran linebackers. A shout-out to DaQuan Jones and Jurrell Casey. Whether stuffing the run or creating double teams up front, this defense doesn’t click without the underappreciated work these players on the line put in.

Jeffery Simmons seems like a bonus! The 6-foot, 4-inch 300-pound tackle wasn’t supposed to play this season, yet he took the field Oct. 20. Despite having torn his ACL prior to this year’s draft, the Titans drafted him in the first round. I loved the pick at the time, but many hated drafting a player in the first round that wouldn’t play for his entire first season. Yet, when you’re a beast, you heal faster than doctors predict. It’s amazing that he is on the field. I don’t say this lightly, but I believe Simmons has the potential to be the best defensive player in the NFL. Look what this year’s second overall pick Nick Bosa has done for the 49ers this season. Simmons has that kind of talent. If it wasn’t for his ACL injury, teams would have had a hard time in the draft deciding between Simmons and Bosa.

I can’t break down every defensive player, so shout-outs also to Cameron Wake, Malcom Butler, Kenny V, Rashaan and Adoree Jackson. I forgive you, Adoree. Titan up!

Regarding the Titans offense, I find it very promising that Corey Davis, A.J. Brown and Jonnu Smith all have shown they can be threats in the passing game. They are all young, with Davis being the oldest of that bunch at 24. I expect these players to grow with Tannehill, or whichever QB leads this team in the next few years to come.

A.J. Brown said this about Tannehill: “Ryan, he was leading in the huddle; he had a lot of confidence. He was a general.” Sweet music to my Train Daddy ears. Ryan has jump-started this offense. In weeks 5 and 6 this offense scored seven total points in losses to Denver and Buffalo. But in the two victories since Ryan took over this team has scored 23 and 27 points, and two victories! The Titans also scored a touchdown on all six red-zone visits in Tannehill’s first two complete games.

I don’t want to talk about the Titans’ success without a mention of Derrick Henry. He is a freight train. That’s all I have to say about that; love that dude!

So, there you have it, a top defense, a smart quarterback, one of the best running backs in the league and hungry group of talented receivers, with the only weak spots being the offensive line and the field goal unit.

Kicker Ryan Succop had a rough day in his first game back vs. the Panthers. I give the rusty kicker one more week to get in game shape before I hate on him. The offensive line is awful, as I said. After that loss in Carolina the Titans are looking like your typical .500 Titans team. Let’s hope the home game vs. the Chiefs brings a victory, because the Titans will need that victory if they want to have any chance at making a run come December for the playoffs.

I have said this a few times this season: Titans punter Brett Kern is the team’s best player, and that’s no hate on some of the talent on this team. It just shows you that the Titans have one of the best punters in the league who currently leads the league with punts inside the 20. Wow!

After reading this you may assume I am just some crazy Titans fan who gets overexcited at the very idea of the Titans. You would be correct! Just know that I speak truth: this team has young playmakers and a top overall unit in the defense. And teams have won it all with less. Win or lose, it’s just football (a game that I love). But I will always stay a true fan of the Titans for as long as they reside in the great state of Tennessee. Even if it takes another couple of decades until they lift that Lombardi trophy, I pray I am here to witness it.

That’s it. The Train is rolling into the station! Hold family close and embrace life, and if you ever get the chance to hit up Disney with the family, take it. The Star Wars park is worth it, especially when it’s your birthday. Happy birthday to me! Titan-up!