Will Mike Vrabel and Tom Brady be reunited?
The Train Daddy is back with sports news, life lessons and politically incorrect talk. All aboard! Let’s say bye-bye to February and hello to the madness that is March. It seems to me that time is moving faster than ever, right? I mean here we are a quarter of the way through 2020 already, and before you know it, another NFL season will kick off.
Quit complaining and embrace life. I could give you a couple Bernie Sanders jokes right now but they aren’t funny unless everyone gets them.
The great Winston Churchill summed it up best: “The inherent virtue of Socialism is the equal sharing of misery.” Churchill later added “Socialism is the philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance and the gospel of envy.”
2020 is an election year, so let’s be civil. Is that possible? In 2016 many Americans set an ugly precedent for the youth of this country. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar said it best: “You can’t win unless you learn how to lose.” I feel like that is bad news for Americans infected with Trump derangement syndrome.
2020 is going to be historic. I mean, already a few months in and we have numerous headlines.
Andy Reid wins his first Super Bowl with the Chiefs. The Tennessee Titans shock the world on the road ending a dynasty in Foxborough and then defeating a juggernaut Ravens team in Baltimore. Heavyweight boxer Tyson Fury beat down Deontay Wilder, licked blood off his neck and then celebrated by singing “American Pie” with the audience.
2020 has a virus called the Corona (COVID-19) with recent studies showing that 38% of American beer drinkers now won’t touch the brand Corona. It doesn’t help that Corona rolled out a new product line of branded seltzers with a sponsored promotion stating, “Coming ashore soon.” To all the irrational fear-mongering Americans, watch out! Blackberry Lime, Cherry, Mango and Tropical Lime Corona are coming to get you.
MLB commissioner Rob Manfred handled the Astros cheating scandal about as badly as possible. They should have taken that piece of metal away from the sign-stealing Astros. The result was you can cheat your way to a World Series title and face minimal consequences. Also, the XFL kicked off in 2020, and the product is worthy of a future, I believe. The XFL just needs more teams, specifically a Tennessee team. The Nashville Predators also started 2020 off rough, yet here we are now, and the team is fighting for a playoff spot. Respect!
The most unfortunate sports event of 2020 to date was the death of Kobe Bryant, his daughter and seven other passengers in a helicopter crash. Kobe will be remembered as one of the greatest basketball players of all time.
Enough reminiscing, let’s focus on the future! Since this is my article, what better way to do that than some Titans talk! What, you thought with the season being over I would shut up about the Titans? Ha-ha. Nope!
Titans talk! Being honest, what can I say that’s not speculation right now? I don’t enjoy speculating, but ultimately that’s what I am about to do.
First, let’s break down a few players who could be cut to make cap space. Running back Dion Lewis has got to go—a major disappointment! Cornerback Malcolm Butler has three years left on his contract, set to make $13 million annually. Some people have floated the idea of cutting Butler while others call it nonsense, considering Butler has played respectively well. Logan Ryan almost certainly won’t remain a Titan and will be one of the hottest free agents pursued in the league. Does Jon Robinson completely rebuild his secondary, or keep Butler?
Delanie Walker is getting old and dealing with injury, and the Titans already have two solid pass-catching tight ends under contract—Jonnu Smith and Anthony Firkser. Walker has been one of my favorite Titans, but I think it’s time to part.
I also believe Cameron Wake will be let go. He is 38, and aside from that 2.5-sack opening game vs. the Browns, he hasn’t recorded a single sack since.
Creating cap space is part of the game. You spend money wisely if you want to make a run. That’s the valid argument for how much is too much for Derrick Henry to remain a Titan. The recent history of teams giving big contracts to running backs is filled with red flags, from Todd Gurley to Ezekiel Elliot, Freeman, Johnson and McKinnon. Not one of those star running backs has been worth the investment made. Elliot’s huge six-year contract for $90 million has yet to be totally played out, yet the Cowboys didn’t make the playoffs last season.
Getting rid of the players I listed would open over $20 million in cap space, allowing the Titans to work at keeping some of their valuable free agents and potentially add new players in desired positions. I trust Jon Robinson and as a fan I believe in the direction of this team. Yet this isn’t an ordinary off-season. A lot of change is coming.
It looks like free agent Marcus Mariota has numerous suitors. Good for him. I truly hope he goes somewhere and has a successful career, not too successful, though! It looks like Jack Conklin also has many suitors and the former 2016 first round pick won’t be in Titans blue this upcoming season. Conklin had a lot to do with Henry getting the NFL rushing title and he will be missed. Tennessee decided not to pick up his fifth-year option, which would have made him the Titans second-highest base salary at $13 million, second only to Taylor Lewan’s $16 million.
Let’s end this Titans talk with what could either be the simplest or possibly the messiest situations the Titans deal with this off-season—Ryan Tannehill and Derrick Henry. And let’s throw a wrench in the conversation and add Tom Brady’s name.
I think it’s simple. The Titans work with Tannehill and figure out a deal that is fair. The comeback player of the year deserves a new contract. I think the Titans look at Jimmy Garoppolo’s contract with the 49ers and it’s a good comparison. Jimmy’s deal was $137 million over 5 years, $27 million annually. Or the Titans could use the franchise tag on Tannehill, and that would still cost around $27 million. If he regresses, then what? If he progresses then you’re looking at an even more expensive contract, so it’s all one big gamble. So why not just pay the man now? When you compare the regrettable contracts Jared Goff and Carson Wentz received in 2019, you realize Tannehill could be a steal at that price.
I am going to be limited here on my Tom Brady comments. The idea of Tom Brady in a Titans uniform, a reunion with Coach Vrabel, numerous prime-time games and a possible Super Bowl run sounds sexy. I’m not sold. Many sports analysis think Brady and the Titans would be a good fit and Coach Vrabel FaceTiming Brady on the sideline at a Syracuse basketball game has fueled rumors. If it happens, I would be sad, mad and excited at the same time.
Brady and Coach Vrabel played together and won three Super Bowls between 01–08. The Titans have playmakers on offense and one of the easier divisions to navigate. Between possibly Derrick Henry in the backfield and two young receivers in Brown and Davis, it’s enticing indeed.
Alright let’s end this article on King Henry! He’s the heart of this team, without question. Last year’s NFL rushing leader is a free agent and will demand a high price. Rightfully so. I don’t want to imagine this team without Henry. Derrick is 26 years old, so a 3- to 4-year deal making him the highest paid RB would be about right. It’s simple: if the Titans want to keep Henry around, they can tag him, or they will have to pay Henry big. I believe a smart man would let Henry walk, but personally I would keep him around. As I said, he is the heart and soul of this team. Let’s just hope King Henry and the Titans come to a reasonable agreement.
Alrighty then, my friends, that’s it! I am looking forward to spring. Hopefully this stupid virus goes away as well. The coronavirus has a survival rate of 98%; I have no doubt hysteria is more dangerous than this virus.
While the virus is a scary thing, I believe fearmongering has made it much worse. So, let’s all pray for a beautiful spring, a glorious upcoming Titans season and the death of this virus that has caught everyone’s attention. I pray you all have good health and fortune. God bless America! Sincerely, Train Daddy. Choo-choo!
