Deadlift
Hall of Famer
They've reportedly acquired Barrett Ruud!!! Sweet!
2011 Tennessee Titans
- Thread starter Deadlift
- Start date
The Ruud acquistion is kind of a good news bad news situation as Colin McCarthy was slated to start at MLB as a rookie before the Titans signed Ruud.
Will the last White man to leave Tampa please turn out the lights...
Things are definitely looking brighter in Tennessee without Jeff Fisher.
Yeah, looks like the Bucs will have the all-time blackest roster this year. Nine is the current hallowed mark, held by a few teams.
Actually I have read that they might be moving Colin to OLB (I think SLB) and competing for a starting job his first season. Both can play MLB and OLB. Colin played all 3 linebacker positions in college. I have also read that Ruud might be better suited for playing WLB in another system besides the Tampa 2. So if we are lucky, we could see both of them at lb. When Colin was drafted there were talks of him competing for an OLB spot, but due to need I think maybe he was slated as a MLB, hopefully the Ruud pick up means Colin gets to compete for one of the outside spots.
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That would be great if McCarthy moves to the outside and starts. I'm waiting to see how they use Marc Mariani. Jeff Fisher didn't let him play a single down last season as a receiver. Mariani could excel outside but it's more likely they'll use him in the "Wes Welker role" and he'll kick ass if they give him the opportunity.
Highlander
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Here's bleacher reports take:
Former Tampa Bay linebacker Barrett Ruud signed with the Tennessee Titans.
In six years with Tampa Bay Ruud accumulated 585 tackles, five sacks and six interceptions. Last year he had 118 tackles, two sacks and one interception.
This is a move that the Titans hope will markedly improve a poor linebacker group that really dragged down the defense last year.
The consequence of this move is that free agent linebacker Stephen Tulloch will probably move on from the Titans and sign elsewhere.
Honestly, in my opinion, Ruud is an upgrade over Tulloch. Both are great tacklers and run stoppers, but Tulloch is a poor pass defender while Ruud is at least adequate in the area.
With Tulloch gone, Ruud in and rookie from UCLA Akeem Ayers looking at a starting role, the Titans' linebacking corps is starting to look almost respectable.
Ruud will likely be the starter with Ayers on one side and veteran Will Witherspoon on the other. If they can improve on last years awful performance than the Titans could have something going on defense.
Ruud is the second biggest splash the Titans have made in free agency next to Matt Hasselbeck. They have also signed Shaun Smith and are looking at tight end Daniel Graham.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...-barrett-ruud-signs-with-the-tennessee-titans
Former Tampa Bay linebacker Barrett Ruud signed with the Tennessee Titans.
In six years with Tampa Bay Ruud accumulated 585 tackles, five sacks and six interceptions. Last year he had 118 tackles, two sacks and one interception.
This is a move that the Titans hope will markedly improve a poor linebacker group that really dragged down the defense last year.
The consequence of this move is that free agent linebacker Stephen Tulloch will probably move on from the Titans and sign elsewhere.
Honestly, in my opinion, Ruud is an upgrade over Tulloch. Both are great tacklers and run stoppers, but Tulloch is a poor pass defender while Ruud is at least adequate in the area.
With Tulloch gone, Ruud in and rookie from UCLA Akeem Ayers looking at a starting role, the Titans' linebacking corps is starting to look almost respectable.
Ruud will likely be the starter with Ayers on one side and veteran Will Witherspoon on the other. If they can improve on last years awful performance than the Titans could have something going on defense.
Ruud is the second biggest splash the Titans have made in free agency next to Matt Hasselbeck. They have also signed Shaun Smith and are looking at tight end Daniel Graham.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...-barrett-ruud-signs-with-the-tennessee-titans
I can't imagine Witherspoon being anything more than a backup at this point in his career. He was a big reason for that "awful performance". Akeem Ayers might get the initial start this year but I don't see him panning out, he is slow and stiff, yet he was picked before Colin McCarthy. Ayers posted a 4.81 40 at the combine with a 7.49 3 cone drill which is pretty slow. McCarthy had a 4.59 40 yard dash and a 6.93 3 cone drill. There were talks of lining Ayers up as an end to rush the passer on 3rd down but his 10 yard split was close to 1.7 compared to an elite pass rusher like Clay Matthews who went in the 1.49 range. Howd this guy get picked in the 2nd round again? Oh yeah.
That guy doesn't know what he is talking about Ruud only "adequate" in pass coverage. He is great in pass coverage, the knock against him was run support.
That guy doesn't know what he is talking about Ruud only "adequate" in pass coverage. He is great in pass coverage, the knock against him was run support.
Jack Lambert
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Some good news in Tennessee. It looks like Karl Klug has played his way into the starting lineup for Tennessee!
At DT too! Notice how the blurb says he was more prodcutive than his old Hawkeye teammates.
From Rotoworld:
At DT too! Notice how the blurb says he was more prodcutive than his old Hawkeye teammates.From Rotoworld:
Leonardfan
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Great news! Hopefully Zach Clayton makes the final 53 as well. Same goes for Nick Schommer.
Deadlift
Hall of Famer
Maybe Whitey will get more reps now at DE/DT..
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/players/playerpage/520951/jason-jones
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/players/playerpage/520951/jason-jones
FootballDad
Hall of Famer
Well whaddya know, the Titans just signed Kevin Curtis. I hope that he sticks.
Scouts Inc. wants everyone to forget that Curtis has/had blazing speed. I doubt their "scouting report" is up to date, it reads like the typical scripted description of White receivers.
Can Kevin Curtis help Titans receivers?
Kevin Curtis may be worth a look, but can the Titans’ new veteran wide receiver displace any of the guys who rank near the top of the depth chart?
The Titans intend to start Kenny Britt and Nate Washington, thought Britt could be facing an early-season suspension. Justin Gage still appears to rank highly with coaches. Many, including me, feel Damian Williams should definitely get a chance ahead of Gage.
Lavelle Hawkins is still inconsistent and Marc Mariani will have a bigger role as a returner.
So where could Curtis, most recently with the Chiefs, fit?
The Titans have a couple of weeks to find out.
Here’s what Scouts Inc. says about a receiver who battled testicular cancer in 2010.
“Curtis is a slot receiver with better quickness, agility and body control than straight line speed. He knows how to run routes and shows good receiving skills as well as the ability to read coverages and adjust on the move. He shows elusiveness after the catch but lacks the acceleration and deep speed to take it all the way.”
Can Kevin Curtis help Titans receivers?
Kevin Curtis may be worth a look, but can the Titans’ new veteran wide receiver displace any of the guys who rank near the top of the depth chart?
The Titans intend to start Kenny Britt and Nate Washington, thought Britt could be facing an early-season suspension. Justin Gage still appears to rank highly with coaches. Many, including me, feel Damian Williams should definitely get a chance ahead of Gage.
Lavelle Hawkins is still inconsistent and Marc Mariani will have a bigger role as a returner.
So where could Curtis, most recently with the Chiefs, fit?
The Titans have a couple of weeks to find out.
Here’s what Scouts Inc. says about a receiver who battled testicular cancer in 2010.
“Curtis is a slot receiver with better quickness, agility and body control than straight line speed. He knows how to run routes and shows good receiving skills as well as the ability to read coverages and adjust on the move. He shows elusiveness after the catch but lacks the acceleration and deep speed to take it all the way.”
Colonel_Reb
Hall of Famer
Don, that kind of description (which is all too common) really does make me think they have a White WR script that they just substitute a different name for each time they have occasion to use it. Definitely sounds a lot like the talking points that are distributed to members of the media and government.
"Hard-line" commissioner Roger Goodell (hard-line only when it comes to White players) wouldn't discipline repeat criminal Kenny Britt, but a blown out knee suffered yesterday has Britt out for the year. I've been disappointed with how little the new Munchak regime has utilized Marc Mariani as a receiver thus far, especially because his kick return duties are almost non-existent thanks to the rule change in where the ball is spotted to be kicked off. Now is a great opportunity to give Mariani regular playing time, but will they?
FootballDad
Hall of Famer
The Titans are apparently interested in the services of one washed-up pass-dropping mega-diva Terrell Owens, affectionately referred to on this site as "T-yO". It just makes you shake your head. A snippet from the article for y'all:
great start for a very athletic linebacker! i would love for him to start on the outside for Ayers, with Ruud manning the middle.
Colin McCarthy started at middle linebacker in place of Barrett Ruud (groin) Sunday.
McCarthy, a fourth-round rookie, did not disappoint. He led the team with eight tackles and earned praise from his teammates and coaches. "He did fantastic," DC Jerry Gray said. "If you are a (middle) linebacker you have to be all over the field. You can’t think of yourself as a rookie. He did a really solid job." The extent of Ruud's injury is unclear.
Colin McCarthy started at middle linebacker in place of Barrett Ruud (groin) Sunday.
McCarthy, a fourth-round rookie, did not disappoint. He led the team with eight tackles and earned praise from his teammates and coaches. "He did fantastic," DC Jerry Gray said. "If you are a (middle) linebacker you have to be all over the field. You can’t think of yourself as a rookie. He did a really solid job." The extent of Ruud's injury is unclear.
The best scenario would be for Ruud, who is working on a one-year contract, to sign with another team to be their starting MLB in 2012, with McCarthy taking his place on the Titans.
Colin McCarthy's debut as a starting linebacker was nothing short of fantastic for the Tennessee Titans.
The rookie fourth-round pick was in on 12 total tackles against the Carolina Panthers, including nine solo stops one tackle for loss and a quarterback pressure on Cam Newton.
McCarthy, who was coming off a hamstring injury that had idled him for three games prior to making the start, stepped in and played in place of Barrett Ruud, who was out with a groin injury.
Ruud is expected to be back and to reclaim the starting position for now, but the active rookie looks to have at least won himself a spot in certain packages defensive coordinator Jerry Gray likes to employ.
"Obviously it makes you feel good, but in the same respect, I'm just doing my job. They brought me in here to play middle linebacker and whenever my number was called, I wanted to be prepared," the former Miami Hurricane said. "I thought I did a good job. I still have some improvements to make, but for the first time out there, I thought I did well."
Gray was extremely pleased with McCarthy's efforts on Sunday and though he won't become an immediate starter, McCarthy has put himself on the Titans radar as a player who potentially will see more action as the season goes on, and certainly next year as Ruud is operating on a one-year contract.
"You get a chance to see a young guy who hasn't played a lot come out and play real well against a team with that I think is going to be one of the best quarterbacks in this league for a long time (Newton), and he didn't seem like he was out of place," Gray said. "He had a swagger about him that was like, 'Hey, when it's my time, I'm going to go in and play,' and we hope to see that a lot more."
http://www.foxsportstennessee.com/1...-Game/landing.html?blockID=607460&feedID=3731
Colin McCarthy's debut as a starting linebacker was nothing short of fantastic for the Tennessee Titans.
The rookie fourth-round pick was in on 12 total tackles against the Carolina Panthers, including nine solo stops one tackle for loss and a quarterback pressure on Cam Newton.
McCarthy, who was coming off a hamstring injury that had idled him for three games prior to making the start, stepped in and played in place of Barrett Ruud, who was out with a groin injury.
Ruud is expected to be back and to reclaim the starting position for now, but the active rookie looks to have at least won himself a spot in certain packages defensive coordinator Jerry Gray likes to employ.
"Obviously it makes you feel good, but in the same respect, I'm just doing my job. They brought me in here to play middle linebacker and whenever my number was called, I wanted to be prepared," the former Miami Hurricane said. "I thought I did a good job. I still have some improvements to make, but for the first time out there, I thought I did well."
Gray was extremely pleased with McCarthy's efforts on Sunday and though he won't become an immediate starter, McCarthy has put himself on the Titans radar as a player who potentially will see more action as the season goes on, and certainly next year as Ruud is operating on a one-year contract.
"You get a chance to see a young guy who hasn't played a lot come out and play real well against a team with that I think is going to be one of the best quarterbacks in this league for a long time (Newton), and he didn't seem like he was out of place," Gray said. "He had a swagger about him that was like, 'Hey, when it's my time, I'm going to go in and play,' and we hope to see that a lot more."
http://www.foxsportstennessee.com/1...-Game/landing.html?blockID=607460&feedID=3731
Carolina Speed
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Way to go Jake Locker1
whiteathlete33
Hall of Famer
It's never the affletes fault no matter how lazy and unproductive they are. I remember a few weeks ago when Johnson had a good game the DWF's thought the supa afflete was back in rhythm.
Titans coach Mike Munchak is placing the blame for Chris Johnson's disappointing Week 11 production on the offensive line.
"We didn't block well," said Munchack. "... So that starts with the offensive line, and anytime you have this conversation, it starts with them. They know that, and we need to do better than that." Munchak is giving a free pass to Johnson, who has been more hesitant at the line of scrimmage than any back in the league this year. It looks like the Titans will stick with Johnson in Week 12 versus the Bucs.
Titans coach Mike Munchak is placing the blame for Chris Johnson's disappointing Week 11 production on the offensive line.
"We didn't block well," said Munchack. "... So that starts with the offensive line, and anytime you have this conversation, it starts with them. They know that, and we need to do better than that." Munchak is giving a free pass to Johnson, who has been more hesitant at the line of scrimmage than any back in the league this year. It looks like the Titans will stick with Johnson in Week 12 versus the Bucs.
I have no understanding of why Munchak continues to stick with Hasselbeck instead of letting Jake Locker gain needed experience the last two games of the season.
Titans coach Mike Munchak says he'll stick with Matt Hasselbeck (calf) as his starting quarterback in Week 16 as long as he's healthy. Munchak was noncommittal about his Week 16 starter following Sunday's crushing loss, but has convinced himself Hasselbeck still gives the Titans their best chance to win despite much evidence to the contrary. Munchak did allow he that he won't hesitate to sub-in Jake Locker for the second straight week if Hasselbeck struggles like he did on Sunday. The entire Titans offense will be worth an upgrade in fantasy leagues if Munchak changes his mind between now and Saturday.
Titans coach Mike Munchak says he'll stick with Matt Hasselbeck (calf) as his starting quarterback in Week 16 as long as he's healthy. Munchak was noncommittal about his Week 16 starter following Sunday's crushing loss, but has convinced himself Hasselbeck still gives the Titans their best chance to win despite much evidence to the contrary. Munchak did allow he that he won't hesitate to sub-in Jake Locker for the second straight week if Hasselbeck struggles like he did on Sunday. The entire Titans offense will be worth an upgrade in fantasy leagues if Munchak changes his mind between now and Saturday.
This sounds like a great contract for Stevens, one of the more obscure tight ends in the league. But didn't Jordy Nelson sign for about the same deal??? Talk about under-pricing yourself. . .
Titans re-signed TE Craig Stevens to a four-year, $15 million contract. The blocking complement to Jared Cook, Stevens hauled in nine passes for 166 yards and a touchdown in 2011, starting 11 of his 15 appearances. Set to turn 28 before the 2012 season, Stevens did not grade out well as a blocker according to Pro Football Focus, but the Titans apparently like his potential. Stevens' re-signing may end aging third-stringer Daniel Graham's tenure in Nashville.
Titans re-signed TE Craig Stevens to a four-year, $15 million contract. The blocking complement to Jared Cook, Stevens hauled in nine passes for 166 yards and a touchdown in 2011, starting 11 of his 15 appearances. Set to turn 28 before the 2012 season, Stevens did not grade out well as a blocker according to Pro Football Focus, but the Titans apparently like his potential. Stevens' re-signing may end aging third-stringer Daniel Graham's tenure in Nashville.
whiteathlete33
Hall of Famer
Nice contract for Stevens but he's still getting screwed. I was expecting Stevens to become at least a top 10 tight end but he's been forced to block. He could be a receiver if he lost some weight as he runs a 4.62 40 right now. I checked his background information from when he played at Cal and he was a tight end in high school as well.
The Titans break the bank for holdout Chris Johnson, but it somehow takes half a season for the little skinny guy to get in shape? Yeah, right. More like, he got the big payday and quit running hard. Instead of trying to go between the tackles he waited for giant holes to open that almost never did and ended up going down incredibly easy on first contact most of the time. He was disgraceful. And the most yards he averaged per carry in the last four games of 2011, when he was supposedly "in shape," was 4.07 (2.09, 3.67, 3.73 and 4.07).
A team source told Pro Football Weekly that Chris Johnson's 2011 struggles were largely due to the fact that Johnson was "simply out of shape" until the second half of the season. Johnson finally began stringing together solid games down the stretch, but not before a woeful first half. The Titans hope a full offseason in their conditioning program will turn Johnson around. Johnson's yards-per-carry average was 4.97 in his first three seasons combined. He slipped to 4.00 in 2011.
A team source told Pro Football Weekly that Chris Johnson's 2011 struggles were largely due to the fact that Johnson was "simply out of shape" until the second half of the season. Johnson finally began stringing together solid games down the stretch, but not before a woeful first half. The Titans hope a full offseason in their conditioning program will turn Johnson around. Johnson's yards-per-carry average was 4.97 in his first three seasons combined. He slipped to 4.00 in 2011.