Ex-Michigan All-American Adam Coon makes leap from wrestling mat to NFL
The former standout on Michigan’s wrestling team is looking to carve out a career in the NFL, despite not having played football since he starred for Fowlerville High School in 2012. Nevertheless, the Tennessee Titans are giving him a shot to make the team as an offensive lineman, signing him to a contract earlier this month. “Wrestlers, especially at that elite level, have unbelievable balance, core strength, things that I think would translate well to an offensive lineman,” Titans head coach Mike Vrabel said last week. Coon, who was 116-15 at Michigan, might be a longshot to make Tennessee’s 53-man roster, but a leap to the wrestling mat to the NFL has been done before. “I followed his wrestling career for a while.
mlive.comTitans OC Arthur Smith becomes first head coaching candidate to earn second interview with Lions
ALLEN PARK -- Arthur Smith was the last known head coaching candidate to interview with the Detroit Lions. Now he’s become the first to earn a second interview. Smith is scheduled to visit Detroit for a second interview on Friday according to NFL Network. But he also had a second interview with the Falcons today, then flew to New York to have dinner with the Jets this evening. Tennessee’s offense ranked fourth in DVOA this year, and finished among the league leaders by nearly every traditional offensive measure -- points (third), yards (second), yards per play (fourth), rushing yards (second), yards per carry (second), passing yards per play (seventh), interception rate (fourth), sack rate (10th), third-down percentage (fifth), fourth-down percentage (ninth), red-zone percentage (second), goal-to-goal percentage (first) and so on.
mlive.comFriends as playoff foes: Packers' LaFleur faces Rams' McVay
Green Bay Packers coach Matt LaFleur and Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay say their friendship and shared history shouldn't have much of an impact on their teams’ upcoming NFC divisional playoff matchup. The top-seeded Packers (13-3) host the Rams (11-6) on Saturday with an NFC championship game berth at stake. San Francisco’s head coach is Kyle Shanahan, who worked at Washington with Matt LaFleur and McVay from 2010-13. They reunited in 2017 when McVay became the Rams’ head coach and hired LaFleur. One year later, he became the Packers’ head coach.
Detroit Lions confirm head coaching interview with Titans OC Arthur Smith
ALLEN PARK -- The Detroit Lions confirmed their interview with one of the hottest names on the head coaching market in Titans offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. All seven teams searching for a head coach have requested an interview with Smith, including for Philadelphia’s fresh vacancy. He coached the offensive line and tight ends before landing the offensive coordinator gig last year. I’ve gotta lot of respect for the entire coaching staff,” Titans coach Mike Vrabel said before the game against Detroit earlier this season. Detroit also reportedly requested an interview with ex-Jets coach and current Bucs defensive coordinator Todd Bowles over the weekend.
mlive.comColumn: Smith-Schuster fires up foes through jigs and digs
(AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)Say this about Ju-Ju Smith-Schuster: he sure knows how to fire up foes through jigs and digs alike. He said he thought “they’re still the same Browns teams I play every year” and while they had talent, “the Browns is the Browns." The Browns snapped their 17-game losing streak at Heinz Field with their first road playoff win since 1969. “That turns you up a little bit,” Buffalo safety Jordan Power said after the Bills’ 26-15 win over Pittsburgh in Week 14. “For the betterment of myself and my teammates, I’m going to stop dancing on the logos,” Smith-Schuster declared after that loss to Cincinnati.
Mike Vrabel, Mike Tomlin punt away their teams’ NFL playoff chances
The Titans trailed the Ravens 17-13 in the fourth quarter and faced a fourth-and-2 and the Baltimore 40-yard line. Mike Vrabel has made some outlandish claims on what he’s willing to do to win a Super Bowl, but apparently going for it here didn’t make the (ahem) cut. “Just decided to punt,” Vrabel told reporters after the Titans’ 20-13 loss. The Browns exhaled and marched down the field for another touchdown after the punt, all but sealing their first playoff win since 1994. — Surrender Index 90 (@surrender_idx90) January 11, 2021While Kevin Stefanski was in his basement, Super Bowl-winning coach Mike Tomlin punted on fourth-and-1 when his team had all the momentum.
mlive.comAP Exclusive: Titans' ownership staying in Adams family
FILE- In this Oct. 21, 2018, file photo, Amy Adams Strunk, the controlling owner of the Tennessee Titans, smiles before an NFL football game against Los Angeles Chargers at Wembley stadium in London. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham, File)Ownership of the Tennessee Titans is remaining with the Adams family with Susie Adams Smith agreeing to sell her share of the team to the family-controlled KSA Industries Inc.Amy Adams Strunk will hold a 50% share with the other 50% held by Kenneth Adams IV, Barclay Adams and Susan Lewis. Those three will continue as owners of the Titans with Adams Strunk continuing as controlling owner in a sale expected to be completed by the end of this year. “The Titans franchise has meant so much to me and my family over the 61 years of its existence,” Adams Strunk said in a statement to The Associated Press. Initially, after Bud Adams' death, the family installed Susie Adams Smith as controlling owner and made her husband Tommy Smith team president.
Mayfield throws 4 TDs in 1st half, Browns beat Titans 41-35
The Browns had their best-scoring half ever, leading 38-7 at halftime, topping the 35 points scored in the second half at Cincinnati in 2004. The Titans made it interesting late, outscoring the Browns 28-3 in the second half. Mayfield became the first Browns quarterback to throw four TDs in the first half since Hall of Famer Otto Graham in 1951. That’s the guy that the Cleveland Browns know who he is. Tennessee opened the second half scoring back-to-back touchdowns within the first six minutes.
Colts grab tiebreaker in AFC South by beating Titans 34-17
The Colts (6-3) will host the rematch in Indianapolis on Nov. 29 after helping coach Frank Reich improve to 4-1 against Titans coach Mike Vrabel. The Colts smothered a Tennessee offense that had been averaging 384.6 yards a game, 10th-best in the NFL, and seventh-best averaging 29 points a game. Indianapolis took advantage of the Titans' special teams woes to score twice in the third quarter for a 27-17 lead. Tennessee went with a third different punter in three games, promoting Trevor Daniel after signing him to the practice squad last weekend. The Colts padded their lead to 34-17 with Jacoby Brissett capping the next drive with a 2-yard TD run with 9:21 left.
Seahawks keep top spot in AP Pro32; Steelers, Titans move up
(AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)NEW YORK – As the NFC's only 5-0 team, the Seattle Seahawks had a quiet week on a bye. However, the Seahawks didn't lose any ground and maintained the top spot in the latest AP Pro32 poll. The Seahawks received nine of 12 first-place votes for 377 points in balloting Tuesday by media members who regularly cover the NFL. The Chiefs earned two first-place votes for 366 points, while the loss dropped the Bills one spot to No. 3 and the Tennessee Titans, the league's other 5-0 team, received the remaining first-place vote and gained two places to No.
Ex-Michigan OL Taylor Lewan confirms torn ACL: ‘Don’t feel sorry for me’
A pair of former Michigan Wolverines suffered season-ending injuries in Week 6 of the NFL season. “Don’t feel sorry for me, I’m going to handle this rehab like a Pro and come back better than ever,” Lewan wrote in a tweet Monday. Don’t feel sorry for me, I’m going to handle this rehab like a Pro and come back better than ever. #NoBadDays — Jerry Ainsworth (@TaylorLewan77) October 19, 2020The 29-year-old Lewan has been a stalwart along the Titans' offensive line since getting selected 11th overall in 2014. Sign up for insight on the Wolverines for $4.99 a month (with a 60-day free trial) by texting 734-215-6605.
mlive.comAP source: No talk of individual punishment for Titans
The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because neither the NFL, the NFL Players Association nor the Titans have commented on the review. “This is not about discipline," NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said last week when asked about potential punishment for the Titans. The Titans' facility was shut down Sept. 29 after eight positive tests. The review says the Titans cooperated fully with the “comprehensive” look into how the team had been following protocols. Titans players worked out Sept. 30 in groups including at a private Nashville high school.
Seahawks gain top spot in AP Pro32 poll
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson passes against the Minnesota Vikings late in the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 11, 2020, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)NEW YORK – For the first time this season, there's a new top team in the AP Pro32 poll. The Seattle Seahawks have vaulted all the way to the No. The Seahawks, the league's only 5-0 team, inched up a place after rallying for a 27-26 victory on Sunday night against Minnesota. The Browns head to Pittsburgh this week in one of the top matchups of Week 6.
Tannehill scores 4 TDs as depleted Titans beat Bills 42-16
Malcolm Butler intercepted two passes, the second he returned 68 yards, and both set up short touchdowns for Tennessee. “They were ready to go and at the same time we beat ourselves,” Bills coach Sean McDermott said. Allen's pass went off Andre Roberts' hands right to Butler, and he returned the interception 29 yards to the Bills 16. Tennessee led 21-10 at halftime after Tannehill ran in from 10 yards seconds before the half. Safety Micah Hyde denied the Bills got caught looking ahead to the defending Super Bowl champs.
AP source: Bills-Titans, Broncos-Patriots rescheduled by NFL
FILE - In this Sept. 27, 2020, file photo, members of the Tennessee Titans take part in the national anthem before an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, in Minneapolis. The Titans had no positive tests Monday or Tuesday for the first time after six consecutive days of positive results. The Titans' outbreak increased to 23 Thursday with tight end MyCole Pruitt and a defensive back from the practice squad put on the reserve/COVID-19 list Thursday afternoon. The Titans' facility remains closed with the team still prohibited from any in-person activities. ___AP Pro Football Writer Barry Wilner, AP Sports Writers Kyle Hightower and Steve Wine contributed and AP freelance writer Mark Ludwiczak contributed to this report.
NFL looking at "several" protocol incidents with Titans
FILE - In this Sept. 27, 2020, file photo, members of the Tennessee Titans take part in the national anthem before an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, in Minneapolis. The Titans had no positive tests Monday or Tuesday for the first time after six consecutive days of positive results. The Titans cannot return to their facility before Saturday at the earliest, needing back-to-back days without a positive test result. Titans coach Mike Vrabel said Tuesday any discipline would be something for the NFL to discuss. Both Sills and Dr. Thom Mayer, the NFL Players Association's medical director, said the key is everyone following the protocols.
Vrabel says Titans hope NFL allows them to return Wednesday
(AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, File)NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Coach Mike Vrabel says the Tennessee Titans stand by how they've followed the NFL's protocols for the coronavirus pandemic and hope the league will allow the team back inside the building Wednesday. “And then we'll kind of see where we're at with the league and hopeful to return and get back in the building,” Vrabel said. The NFL and its players union had people in Nashville meeting with the Titans to review how the team handled the outbreak and checking protocols. The Titans, and any other team with an outbreak or exposed to a team with an outbreak, now have new protocols to follow. The Titans’ outbreak reached 20 cases on Sunday, the team’s sixth straight day of at least one positive, with 18 returned since Sept. 29.
NFL reschedules Steelers-Titans, Ravens' bye now Week 7
The Titans' outbreak expanded by two more players testing positive Friday, pushing the team's total to 14 within the past week. The outbreak forced the NFL to postpone Tennessee's game from Sunday to Oct. 25 in Week 7, forcing the Steelers into their unplanned bye. Pittsburgh now will play Baltimore on Nov. 1 with the Ravens' bye now pushed to Week 7 instead of Week 8, which had been the bye for both teams. But another positive test result Thursday led to the postponement and Friday's rescheduling. Each new positive test requires the team’s infectious control officer to track down everyone in contact with those people.
Titans back to waiting after NFL postpones game vs. Steelers
The Titans suspended in-person activities through Friday after the NFL says three Titans players and five personnel tested positive for the coronavirus, becoming the first COVID-19 outbreak of the NFL season in Week 4. Their game against the Pittsburgh Steelers is now postponed until later in the season because of the league's first COVID-19 outbreak. The NFL postponed Sunday's game in Nashville after one additional Titans player and one personnel member tested positive for COVID-19. The NFL decided to postpone the game “to ensure the health and safety of players, coaches and game day personnel." For now both the Titans and Steelers went from game preparation to an unexpected bye and a chance to heal up some players.
Hospitals feel squeeze as coronavirus spikes in Midwest
Like other states, health officials in Wisconsin had warned since the pandemic began that COVID-19 patients could overwhelm hospitals. Nearly 678 COVID-19 infections per 100,000 people have been diagnosed over the past two weeks, leading the country for new cases per capita, according to the COVID Tracking Project. The space isn't exclusively for coronavirus patients but could be used to treat them if needed. Last week, the state had the nation’s sixth-highest rate of coronavirus infections per 100,000 people, according to a White House coronavirus task force report dated Sunday. The number of reported coronavirus cases in Oklahoma increased by 980 on Wednesday, with 13 additional deaths, state health officials said.
Virus outbreak pushes Steelers-Titans to Monday or Tuesday
The Titans suspended in-person activities through Friday after the NFL says three Titans players and five personnel tested positive for the coronavirus, becoming the first COVID-19 outbreak of the NFL season in Week 4. Only one new positive test result came back Wednesday, a day after the Titans had three players and five team personnel test positive for COVID-19. The Vikings had no positive test results Wednesday and were preparing to reopen their building Thursday, with a game Sunday at Houston. Other Titans are home hoping no more positive results turn up and that they themselves don't test positive even as they attempt to keep their family members safe. It’s tough to keep the virus completely out.”And the Titans are the NFL's first team tasked with finding a way to adapt and play through the league's first COVID-19 outbreak.
NFL: Steelers-Titans postponed after positive virus tests
The Titans suspended in-person activities through Friday after the NFL says three Titans players and five personnel tested positive for the coronavirus, becoming the first COVID-19 outbreak of the NFL season in Week 4. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Pittsburgh-Tennessee game originally scheduled for Sunday will be played either Monday or Tuesday due to positive coronavirus tests among the Titans, the NFL announced Wednesday. The NFL said a new date and time would be announced as soon as possible and that the postponement would allow additional time for further testing. On Tuesday, the NFL said three Titans players and five team personnel had tested positive for COVID-19. ET, will be rescheduled to allow additional time for further daily COVID-19 testing and to ensure the health and safety of players, coaches and game day personnel,” the NFL said.
Titans have NFL's 1st COVID-19 outbreak; next game still on
The Titans suspended in-person activities through Friday after the NFL said three Titans players and five personnel tested positive for the coronavirus, becoming the first COVID-19 outbreak of the NFL season in Week 4. Now, the Titans will become the first significant in-season test of the league's virus protocols. The Minnesota Vikings also suspended in-person activities Tuesday following the Titans' test results. Titans outside linebackers coach Shane Bowen did not travel with the team to Minneapolis following a virus test result Saturday. The Titans, like other NFL teams, use devices that detect whenever someone is within 6 feet of another device and records how long they are that close together.
Timeout? Fangio's late approach questioned after Denver loss
Tennessee Titans kicker Stephen Gostkowski (3) celebrates his game winning field goal with teammates during the second half of an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Monday, Sept. 14, 2020, in Denver. The Denver Broncos coach was taken to task on television and social media for his late-game clock management Monday night after a 16-14 loss to Tennessee. Struggling kicker Stephen Gostkowski made a 25-yard field goal in the closing seconds after missing three attempts earlier in his Titans debut. One, their field goal kicker had obviously been having his problems. It would have put us in field goal range and given us a first down.
Titans announce 1-year deal with OLB Jadeveon Clowney
Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Vrabel, right, talks with special teams coach Craig Aukerman during NFL football training camp Friday, Aug. 28, 2020, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey, Pool)NASHVILLE, Tenn. The Tennessee Titans have agreed to terms with three-time Pro Bowl linebacker Jadeveon Clowney on a one-year contract. The Titans did not announce the terms Sunday. 1 overall pick of 2014, Clowney went into free agency looking for a mega-contract that never came calling. The pandemic shut down travel for physicals, and Clowney didn't visit anyone once the NFL allowed free agents to meet teams in person. Lewan wrote Thursday: We can do this to other peoples teams now.We have an offer out to JD, and we've talked to both him and his agent," Titans coach Mike Vrabel said Friday when talking to reporters.
No football talk as Titans safety sticks to racial injustice
NASHVILLE, Tenn. Titans safety Kenny Vaccaro made clear he won't let the fight against racial injustice recede from the conversation even as Tennessee returned to practice Friday. I know for me, the next step is just taking action, getting in the communities, being a shining light and an example, Vaccaro said. Not just a black square that everybody in the world posted on Instagram and thought that meant something. Asked if sitting out a regular-season game has been discussed, Vaccaro said the Titans haven't planned that far ahead. Vaccaro also has talked with safety Kevin Byard about how children look up to athletes as heroes with few Martin Luther King Jrs.
Doctor: NFL COVID-19 testing issues gave it test fire drill
ALLEN PARK, Mich. In two-plus weeks, the NFL kicks off its season. That doesn't leave much time to resolve significant issues about its COVID-19 testing procedures. Among teams reporting false positives, the Minnesota Vikings had 12, the New York Jets 10, the Chicago Bears nine and the Detroit Lions one. Five labs across the country process tests for the league's 32 teams and only the New Jersey facility had false positives on Saturday. The Cleveland Browns initially canceled practice, but after re-testing turned up negative tests they decided to have their workout.
Training camps have a different feel in this age of COVID-19
ENGLEWOOD, Colo. From the antimicrobial mist the Denver Broncos strolled through on their way to the practice fields to the hand-held whistles for masked-up coaches, NFL training camps have a very different look and feel this year. What it does is it really creates less of an opportunity for those guys to make our football team. Were going to have to find guys with the expanded practice squad, which we have spots for four veterans. Were going to have to find the right guys to be able to expand the practice squad with, Elway said. We have to appeal to their intelligence, their pride, their responsibility that, hey, this is different, Fangio said.