NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell

The Train Daddy is back—not even the coronavirus can stop that—and as always I’m bringing sports news, life lessons and politically incorrect talk to you, the sexy people of Middle Tennessee.

I have a feeling this article will be one I pull out of the archives in 20 years and read again. The last few months have been historic. Before the coronavirus I used to cough to cover a fart. Now I fart to cover a cough. Come on, it’s a little funny, right? Humor has always been a powerful tool for those who are feeling down. One more! You know who buys up all the toilet paper? Assholes.

I don’t understand the TP hoarding. It was invented in 1857, not that long ago. I just read an entire article on when TP was invented and what they used before. The Romans shared a sponge on a stick and some regions in the Middle East and India just use their left hand as the right tool for the job. Yuck! Okay, after reading that article I changed my mind; TP is important, and how did it take mankind that long to invent it?

In all seriousness. I pray for this country and you the reader. Most all of us have been affected in some way. My job has been postponed until further notice like those in many other businesses in America.

Before we talk sports (NOT MUCH GOING ON), let me get this off my chest. President Trump receives so much unfair coverage. Between the national media and the outraged Twitter and Facebook junkies, they have more than likely helped make this 2020 election a guarantee for Trump.

A new Gallup Poll shows a 60 percent approval rating combating this pandemic. His standing with Democrats and Independents, also rising during this outbreak, brings his approval rating to its highest level yet. This is factual, and it must be a hard pill to swallow if you have Trump derangement syndrome.

Hate him or love him, he’s funny, commanding, passionate and 100 percent unscripted. I am not always a fan of the cheap shots and jabs the president throws at his opponents, but I find him a unique and entertaining presence who knows how to run a smart economy.

President Trump has my support heading into the fall election. In 2008 and 2012 the opposition accepted the losses and, aside from the normal political crying, they accepted eight years of President Obama. Can the same be said about today’s left, especially if Trump wins another term? I will just let that question hang silent because any rational person knows the answer. I believe it’s more important now than ever to accept the results of this coming election.

All right, enough of that. Normally this month’s issue would be on March Madness; this March was mad, but not in a good way.

Roger Goodell is rightfully one of the most-hated league commissioners in America. He is robotic and has botched many situations since becoming commissioner of the NFL in 2006. Yet he surprised me the other day and earned some respect from me personally. The league has decided not to cancel the NFL Draft that will take place April 23–25. I am a little dumbfounded that so many people seem to be upset about this.

Goodell gave a powerful yet clear message to all 32 franchises stating the 2020 draft will proceed.

“Everyone recognizes that public health conditions are highly uncertain and there is no assurance that we can select a different date and be confident that conditions will be significantly more favorable than they are today,” Goodell wrote. “I also believe that the draft can serve a very positive purpose for our clubs, our fans and the country at large.”

Goodell also issued a warning declaring “public discussion of issues relating to the draft serves no useful purpose and is grounds for disciplinary action.”

That threat to the league has ruffled a few feathers, but I applaud it. This is business during a tough time and the man in charge is laying down the law. The draft has already taken proper precautions. This year’s draft will not include public events or feature top prospects and their families. The teams also don’t get the opportunity for player visits or medical checks. It’s business as usual in an unusual way, a very health-conscious way.

So why are so many morons upset about this?

At a time when the country is desperate for some normalcy as many Americas self-isolate, the NFL would be a welcome diversion. The NFL is the only sport in America that has been providing any meaningful commentary from free agency to this upcoming draft.

Yet, like always, we have plenty of outraged people. Sports writers across the country have called the NFL tone-deaf to this pandemic. They have also called Roger Goodell—Dictator Goodell, who only cares about the bottom line . . . and that’s money!

The draft will be safe, that’s guaranteed with these precautions. Should we cancel something that can be done because a few “anonymous” coaches and executives supposedly have issues with the process? Everyone will have the same problems and they will evolve.

This is the latest sign that we’re living in some strange times: Commissioner Goodell is doing a great job! Unlike the NBA, MLB or NHL the NFL doesn’t have to worry yet about canceled games or practices. So, regarding the draft that can be conducted 100% safely, the question is: if not now, when? When you stop and look at it like that, it just makes sense to give sports fans a much-needed diversion.

This NFL Draft will be interesting. Talent will be evaluated solely on game tape and the NFL Scouting Combine. This draft will have an old-school feel with teams having to call their picks in to the commissioner, and I’m genuinely excited about the event taking place April 23–25.

Alrighty then! Let’s talk Titans. Not an awful lot to discuss regarding free agency. I always believed the goal for Jon Robinson was to retain the team, rather than adding new faces.

Ryan Tannehill has a nice new deal that screams “you damn well better win some division titles and take this team into the playoffs.” Derrick Henry has been tagged and will remain a Titan for at least another season. I hear a lot of people say it was disrespectful to give Tannehill a big contract and tag Henry. I assure you it wasn’t. The tag is a tool the team rightfully used, and Henry is a great player that unfortunately plays a position where contracts become tricky. The Titans and Henry have until July to figure out a new deal or Henry plays 2020 under a one-year franchise tag. We as fans have no clue what goes on behind the scenes, so what do I know? I will say that I am very excited and happy to see Tannehill and Henry both back in Tennessee blue this season.

Tennessee has made more moves and spent more money to retain players than to add them. The Titans have signed just three players in free agency so far: a pass rusher in Vic Beasley (who is on a one-year “we don’t know if we trust you, so prove it” deal), backup tackle Ty Sambraillo and special-teamer Nick Dzubnar.

The Titans are about to make some noise. I was certain it was going to be Jadeveon Clowney after they traded Jurrell Casey away to Denver for no other reason than clearing cap space. John Elway admitted he got a steal in that trade.

I believe if Jon Robinson doesn’t eventually make some magic out of trading Casey it has the potential to rank as one of the worst decisions Robinson will have made as general manager.

We’ll see what happens. I am just saying it would be inexcusable for the Titans to start the season with over $20 million in cap space and without Casey, so I predict a big move soon. The last I noticed, the Titans had the ninth-highest cap space in the league. Logan Ryan, who has been a great player for this team and had a career season in 2019, also remains unsigned. Ryan, who reportedly won’t take less than $10 million a year, is entertaining all offers. I find it baffling that we’re this deep into signing period and Ryan remains unsigned. Teams should be fighting with each other to sign this man.

The Titans could re-sign Ryan or go all-out with a player like Clowney. The Titans are in a great position to improve this team that made it one game away from the Super Bowl last season.

Alright, that’s it. The Train Daddy is rolling into the station. I say this, I am praying for you, for this country and for the world. I can’t wait for the economy to get rolling again, for kids to go back to being kids and for all this fear to end. This virus shut the world’s economy down and even got the Olympics postponed, something not seen since World War II. Stay safe out there and be a positive voice, not a spreader of fear. We will get through this.