L’Jarius Sneed; photo courtesy nfl.com
The Train Daddy is back with sports news, life lessons and politically incorrect talk. All aboard!
It seems my last article ruffled a few feathers. Thankfully it was only a few, but it still blows my mind knowing people exist who are okay with transgender athletics. Biological dudes competing with biological women is insanity and must be stopped.
We beat that drum relentlessly last issue, so I won’t do it again, but don’t worry, it’s a constant topic that won’t stop until female athletics regains its integrity. That only happens when the world admits allowing willies into women’s sports was a bad idea. It’s a worthy fight I have been shouting about for nearly two decades.
Enough of that; let’s talk sports!
I want to break down all these moves the Tennessee Titans have made in this busy off-season—moves that, for once, the national media has applauded. Normally the small-market Tennessee Titans gets the shaft as far as respect due on the national NFL stage, but Ran “the man” Carthon has the world talking. Them Titans making moves!
But real quick before we jump into Titans talk, let me shout-out the Tennessee Vols basketball squad and the Nashville Predators.
The Vols, led by Dalton Knecht and that stout defense, made a respectable run to the Elite 8, where it all ended versus the Purdue Boilermakers and that giant 7’4″ robot Zach Edey. Tennessee was nearly helpless stopping him in his 40-point, 16-rebound effort. I am under no illusion—Zach is a great player, but it’s maddening and daggum almost feels unfair watching that big monster get the whistle every time he touches the ball. DK of the Vols put up a big game as well, throwing down 37 points in the loss. This Vols team was special and they fought hard in this Elite 8 run. Respect!
Shout-out to the Nashville Predators as we get down the stretch, nearing playoff hockey. What a run for Nashville, as they came away with standings points in a franchise-record 18 straight games. The Preds were 16-0-2 in those 18 games before the streak ended versus the ’Yotes on the road. I am looking forward to playoff hockey from a team that was rumored to be sellers at the trade deadline and instead the team said “let’s turn into the hottest team in the NHL.” This Predators team is a dangerous squad down the stretch.
Alright, this is the part of the article where I ramble about the moves the Tennessee Titans made. Let me first say, King Henry, I will miss you. The franchise great signed with the Ravens, and that move officially marked a new era here in Nashville.
I can cry about the past or we can talk about the future.
General manager Ran Carthon and new head coach Brian Callahan are doing everything possible to make life easier for year-two QB Will Levis.
I believe in Levis, but don’t get it twisted. If he doesn’t show competent play this season, all these moves will quickly fall apart. The Titans also added to their QB room Mason Rudolph, the former Steeler who played well down the stretch, on a cheap backup deal. He may have something to offer, but I believe it’s the Will Levis show or bust in 2024.
Will Levis; photo courtesy tennesseetitans.com
Let’s start with the big-splash signing of new superstar receiver Calvin Ridley to pair with the legendary DeAndre Hopkins! Do I love the signing? HELL YES!
It may be a little concerning that the Titans gave bro the bag on a four-year deal, but this is small-market Tennessee on a makeover, and you must pay to play. Ridley is a burner and a star receiver who should do wonders for the development of Will Levis.
What was the number-one problem for this team heading into the off-season? Clearly it was that disastrous offensive line. Thankfully, Ran ended the shameful disaster that was left tackle Andre Dillard; no player in the NFL was worse. Bro gave up sacks like nobody else. Tennessee took a big dead salary-cap hit letting him go, but good riddance! There was nobody to blame but the young GM Ran Carthon for that disaster signing last season, but Ran may have redeemed himself by going out and grabbing Lloyd Cushenberry, the top center on the open market, and giving the Titans some size and stability at the center position with a proven starter.
Lloyd Cushenberry; photo by Jessie Rogers for tennesseetitans.com
The Titans also went and added another OL piece in Saahdiq Charles, who has started at both right and left guard for Washington in the past two seasons. Charles has a history of injuries, but he comes in on a small deal and will compete for playing time. Fun fact: he and Cushenberry were teammates on that 2019 LSU national championship team, so that chemistry has value.
The unfortunate part is that, aside from Peter Skoronski and Cushenberry, the Titans appear to have a bunch of dudes sitting around that are giant question marks. They’ve started, but haven’t been overly impressive. Dudes like NPF, Brunskill, Radunz and now Charles.
I believe Carthon still has a few moves up his sleeves to help this line. I know I am spending a lot of time talking about the OL, but an offense falls apart without it and the Titans have proven this in back-to-back seasons. I do believe Callahan will get away from the heavy run game and get the ball out faster. That changes up the needs some, but you still need a competent line. Ask Joe Burrow!
I am hoping with that very important pick at 7 overall in the NFL Draft this month that the Titans grab Big Joe Alt, a 6-foot-7 offensive tackle out of Notre Dame and a possible immediate best friend for the young QB Will Levis.
Joe Alt; photo courtesy fightingirish.com
I am also hoping with the departure of Derrick Henry that the team can find trust in what is still one of the best pair of running backs in the NFL. The Titans added the multi-talented former Cowboys RB Tony Pollard to pair with the already multi-talented star Tyjae Spears. These backs don’t need 30 carries to find success—spread them out and get the ball in their hands!
Kicker, punter and long snapper—the Titans are set! And it doesn’t get better than that. They re-signed kicker Nick Folk, who has been one of the most accurate kickers in the game. I was thrilled they didn’t let him walk because, what was the other option—another kicking carousel? The Titans also re-signed the best long snapper in the game, Morgan Cox, and they got the services of arguably the best punter in the game, Ryan Stonehouse, who is coming off injury. Ryan’s cleats got sent to the Pro Football HOF as a rookie, so damn right he gets the title as one of the best!
I can’t forget the defense. The Titans didn’t ignore defense, although seeing Denico Autry and Azeez leave in free agency hurt. Denico has been a gem for this team since we stole him from the Colts. Reportedly they tried re-signing him but given his old age it may be for the best. They also tried re-signing linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair; that one hurts. I expected Ran to lock that up, but at the end of the day if a player doesn’t want to be here it opens opportunity for someone who does. With them both becoming Texans, it’s easy to label them enemies! I could never hate Denico, though.
L’Jarius Sneed; photo courtesy chiefs.com
The Titans did go and make a splash signing on defense as well, signing superstar cornerback L’Jarius Sneed in a trade with the champs. Good riddance to the cornerback mess that was Kristin Fulton and Murphy-Bunting in 2023. The Titans also added CB Chidobe Awuzie from the Bengals. Chidobe has some real injury concerns, but he is a proven baller and with him and Sneed in the backfield, that’s cooking up something nice.
The Titans also added a linebacker in former first-round pick Kenneth Murray. He might be the most athletic player on the field and will bring some electricity with him. He also is somewhat unpolished and may drive us crazy. He is a wild card in need of a fresh start, and I’m intrigued to watch, even if it appears a downgrade from Azeez.
Oh yeah, I almost forgot, they re-signed my dude, receiver NWI. Respect to Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, who may not be a superstar but he is a player who is quietly racking up yards in his career here in Tennessee and hopefully creating some chemistry with Levis. I’d love to see NWI double up his stats this season.
Alright, that’s enough for one article! I am submerged in the world of Tennessee athletics and I just type up my heartfelt thoughts, hopefully enjoyed by some readers.
Looking at next month’s issue after the NFL Draft, I have a feeling I will have plenty to talk about because I don’t believe Ran Carthon is done making headlines. The Z-Train is rolling into the station. Titan Up!
