Titans To Try To Retain Ryan Tannehill?
The Titans have received unexpectedly strong play from quarterback Ryan Tannehill, who stepped in for the struggling Marcus Mariota during the team’s Week 6 loss to the Broncos and who has taken a firm hold of the starting job. Tannehill is 3-1 as a starter, including a thrilling win against the Chiefs in Kansas City, and he has helped keep Tennessee alive in the playoff race.
Per Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports, the Titans are expected to make an effort to retain Tannehill if he continues his strong play down the stretch. It is difficult to gauge the potential market for the 31-year-old signal-caller, who rarely lived up to his billing as a first-round pick with the Dolphins and who was only acquired by Tennessee in an effort to push Mariota. Even if Tannehill performs well the rest of the season, QB-needy teams (like the Titans) may be hesitant to make a major commitment to him.
On the other hand, La Canfora says Tannehill has earned rave reviews within the organization, and outside scouts have also been fond of his work. The implication is that the change of scenery has led to a potentially sustainable renaissance that could have Tannehill in demand this offseason.
The Titans will likely not be picking high enough to snag one of the top collegiate passers in this year’s draft — though Alabama’s Tua Tagovailoa could fall to them in light of his recent injury — so Tannehill may be the most appealing option. Or, if they can get Tannehill for the right price, they may still be able to draft a prospect and groom him behind the Texas A&M product.
La Canfora says no conversations between the Titans and Tannehill’s camp have taken place yet, but that could change soon. Tannehill has thrown eight touchdowns against four interceptions this season and has completed 71.3% of his passes en route to a 104.4 rating. As La Canfora notes, Tannehill is on pace to cash in on over $2MM of the incentives that came with the restructured contract he agreed to as part of Tennessee’s trade with Miami.
Poll: Which AFC .500-Or-Worse Team Has Best Chance At Playoff Berth?
Once again, the NFC has presented more depth this season. Two current non-division-leading teams have eight wins, raising the floor for what it will take to bring road whites to a postseason game in that conference. The AFC has a few obvious contenders, but several teams can be included on “In the hunt” graphics despite .500-or-worse records.
Prior to seeing the Colts start 1-5 and make the playoffs last season, the AFC saw the 1-5 2015 Chiefs go 11-5. This season may not feature a second-half surge on that level, but the conference has a few teams occupying its middle class that are not yet building for the future.
If the season ended today, two teams in the 6-4 Colts-Texans-Raiders contingent would make the playoffs. But the Titans (5-5), Steelers (5-5), Browns (4-6) and Jaguars (4-6) are still technically in the race. Of the 163 teams to start 4-6 in the six-team playoff era (1990-present), only 13 (8%) made the playoffs. That number jumps up to 29% (40-for-138) for 5-5 teams.
Tennessee, which benched Marcus Mariota during a 16-0 shutout loss in Denver, has rallied under Ryan Tannehill. The former Dolphins starter has completed 71% of his passes and has helped the Titans to wins in three of his four starts. The Titans rank fourth in run-defense DVOA but among these fringe contenders sport the lowest overall DVOA ranking (23rd), though some of that stems from Mariota’s starts. Tennessee is also this quartet’s only team with a positive point differential at plus-6. (The Raiders, for reference, have a minus-25 differential.) The Titans close their season with five winning teams on their schedule — by far the toughest among this group.
The Steelers and Browns each play two teams with winning records apiece down the stretch. Neither has presented a particularly formidable passing attack, the latter’s struggles representing one of this season’s biggest surprises given Odell Beckham Jr. and Jarvis Landry being on Baker Mayfield‘s side. An offense-geared team for the past several years, Pittsburgh ranks third in defense DVOA and 28th offensively. But will the T.J. Watt– and Minkah Fitzpatrick-powered unit be enough to aid Mason Rudolph (31st in Total QBR) to any kind of relevant stretch run? The Browns have won two straight and have three games left against the Bengals and Dolphins, but Freddie Kitchens‘ team has proven to be unreliable and undisciplined. And that was with former defensive player of the year candidate Myles Garrett, who is likely out for the season’s remainder.
Although the Jaguars may look like the longest-odds team here, they outflank each of these mid-pack outfits with a No. 16 DVOA ranking. Most of that work came with Gardner Minshew at quarterback, but three of the Jags’ wins came against the Bengals, Jets and Broncos. Jacksonville also has yielded 200-plus rushing yards on three occasions, undercutting D.J. Chark‘s breakout season and Leonard Fournette‘s bounce-back effort somewhat. But Jacksonville also faces just two teams with winning records (Oakland, Indianapolis) down the stretch. Nick Foles also has a notable history of late-season rallies.
With the Bills already 7-3 and the Raiders playing just one team with a winning record the rest of the way, this year’s AFC might be feature a thinner playoff pursuit. But which of these aforementioned teams has the best chance of staying in the playoff race well into December? Vote in PFR’s latest poll (link for app users) and weigh in with your thoughts on this year’s playoff race in the comments section.
Philip Rivers Wants To Play For Titans?
Longtime Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers may want to play for another franchise next season, according to a report by Matt Miller of Bleacher Report. Per Miller’s report, league circlles are hearing that Rivers, who is set for free agency this offseason, would “love” to join the Titans.
Rivers, who will turn 38 in December, is amidst his 16th NFL season. He has spent his entire career with the Chargers organization since he was traded from the Giants for Eli Manning on the day of the 2004 NFL Draft. However, Los Angeles may be looking at going in another direction at quarterback.
It remains unclear what in particular about Tennessee appeals to Rivers, although it’s worth noting he is from the south. But, the Titans definitely appear like they will be in the market for a new quarterback this offseason given the status of both Marcus Mariota and Ryan Tannehill remain up in the air.
Still, unless Rivers is willing to accept a backup role, there is no guarantee that the Titans would be willing to guarantee him a starting job. While Rivers has had an illustrious career, his age alongside particularly poor performance this season (15/14 touchdown to interception ratio) may make teams tentative to hand over the reigns.
With plenty of season left to be played, a lot remains unknown about the upcoming quarterback market, but it seems clear that the league is going to see an abnormally high amount of movement at the quarterback position. At least according to Matt Miller, Rivers is preparing for that possibility.
Latest On Colin Kaepernick Workout
Free agent quarterback Colin Kaepernick completed one of the most unique workouts in NFL history this afternoon. The NFL offered to stage a workout for the quarterback earlier this week. However, Kaepernick’s team became weary of the league’s intentions when his representatives were refused in their requests to open the event to the public. In a last minute decision, Kaepernick’s representation moved the event from the Falcons facility to a public location on their own.
Here’s the latest on the workout and its aftermath:
- When the venue was changed, the NFL released a public statement on NFL.com that expressed they were “disappointed” with Kaepernick’s choice not to participate in the workout they had organized. They claimed “Twenty-five (25) clubs were present for the workout, and all 32 clubs, their head coaches, general managers, and other personnel executives would have received video footage of the interview and workout.” The league also felt the need to note they “made considerable effort to work cooperatively with Colin’s representatives,” among a list of other points that attempted to counter some narratives that the league had been purposely opaque in their negotiations.
- The league also tweeted out from the league’s official account a thread reiterating some main points from the press release. One key point from the league’s perspective, “Colin moved his workout to a facility an hour from Atlanta Falcons Flowery Branch facility. No one got a heads up until NFL saw the Twitter statement.”
- Former Raiders and Browns head coach Hue Jackson was scheduled to run the workout orchestrated by the NFL. However, while Kaepernick’s team invited Jackson to run the workout at the new venue, Jackson returned to the airport, according to Michael Silver of NFL.com.
- WR Bruce Ellington, WR Brice Butler, WR Jordan Veasy, TE/WR Ari Werts, and Panthers S Eric Reid were on the field with Kaepernick for the workout, according to Kaylee Harung of ABC News. The free-agent receivers were likely hoping to catch the eyes of scouts present to view Kaepernick, while Reid has been one of the most consistent advocated for Kaepernick in the league.
- One claim in the announcement made by Kaepernick’s representatives was that the league required he sign an agreement that included language to limit his ability to bring claims against the league. Of course, given Kaepernick’s previous collusion lawsuit against the league, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk argues the workout was a ploy by the league to put Kaepernick “in legal checkmate.”
- In the end, there were not nearly as many teams present at Kaepernick’s workout as the NFL claimed would have been present for the workout they had planned. The Washington football team, Eagles, 49ers, Chiefs, Jets, Titans, and Lions were the teams present for his workout, according to Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports.
- The 2-hour workout was streamed on YouTube and consistently maintained roughly 45,000 viewers. On the field, one NFL executive described Kaepernick’s arm talent as “elite” and on the same level as “when he came out of college,” according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.
- Teams that had personnel present for the workout noted that the workout consisted of 60 throws and “Basically showed he’s the same guy he was,” according to Albert Breer of MMQB. After the workout, Kaepernick did not hold any formal interviews, but in his closing remarks said he would hold an interview with any team. He also thanked his fans for their support and reiterated, “I’ve been ready. I’m staying ready. And I’ll continue to be ready….The ball’s in their court. We’re ready to go.”
Minor NFL Transactions: 11/13/19
Today’s minor moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Promoted from practice squad: DT Miles Brown
- Placed on injured reserve: DE Zach Allen
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: DE Bryan Cox Jr.
- Waived: LB Malik Jefferson
Detroit Lions
- Claimed off waivers (Texans): T Dan Skipper
- Placed on injured reserve: DT Kevin Strong
Houston Texans
- Waived: DB Briean Boddy-Calhoun
Los Angeles Rams
- Promoted from practice squad: T Chandler Brewer, DB Donte Deayon
New York Jets
- Placed on injured reserve: TE Chris Herndon, G Brian Winters (story)
- Signed: LB B.J. Bello, CB Kyron Brown
San Francisco 49ers
- Signed: DE Damontre Moore
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Promoted from practice squad: CB Mazzi Wilkins
Tennessee Titans
- Signed off Vikings’ practice squad: FB Khari Blasingame
Titans Work Out RB Jeremy Hill
The Titans recently worked out running back Jeremy Hill, according to Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle (Twitter link). While Hill’s audition reportedly went “very well,” Wilson says Tennessee will not be signing Hill at this time.
Hill, now 26, enjoyed several seasons as the Bengals’ main ball-carrier 2014 to 2016, averaging 222 carries, 919 yards, and 10 touchdowns during that time. 2014 and 2015, notably, were especially productive campaigns for Hill, as he ranked as a top-12 back in Football Outsiders’ success rate metric in both seasons.
Hill was Cincinnati’s nominal starter in 2017 even after the club used a second-round pick on Joe Mixon, but Hill went down with a ankle injury in November and was subsequently placed on injured reserve. He inked a one-year, $1.5MM deal with New England prior to the 2018 campaign and was listed as the team’s third running back, but his season ended after he tore his ACL in Week 1.
Tennessee doesn’t necessarily need help at running back — Derrick Henry and Dion Lewis are more than capable of handling the load, so Hill’s audition was probably more about updating the Titans’ emergency list. Hill also worked out for the Lions this year.
NFL Practice Squad Updates: 11/13/19
Today’s practice squad moves:
Arizona Cardinals
- Signed: LB Vontarrius Dora, DB Sojourn Shelton, G Ian Silberman
Carolina Panthers
- Signed: WR Greg Dortch
- Released: WR Quadree Henderson
Chicago Bears
- Signed: OL Dino Boyd, LB James Vaughters
Denver Broncos
- Signed: S Tyvis Powell
Indianapolis Colts
- Signed: RB Darius Jackson
- Placed on injured list: RB Bruce Anderson
Los Angeles Rams
- Signed: C Nate Trewyn
Miami Dolphins
- Signed: LB Jake Carlock
- Released: DB Doug Middleton
Minnesota Vikings
- Signed: WR Davion Davis
Titans Waive RB Rod Smith
Rod Smith‘s stint with the Titans has come to an end. Jim Wyatt of the team’s website reports (via Twitter) that the team has waived the veteran running back. The Titans promoted offensive lineman Daniel Munyer from the practice squad to take the open roster spot.
The 2015 undrafted free agent out of Ohio State quickly found a home in Dallas, as he spent three-plus years with the Cowboys. Smith saw some extended work during Ezekiel Elliott‘s six-game suspension in 2017. Playing behind Alfred Morris, Smith ran for 232 yards and four touchdowns on 55 carries. He also added 19 catches for 202 yards and one score.
However, with Zeke back in the fold for the 2018 campaign, Smith didn’t see nearly as many opportunities on offense. The running back finished the campaign with 187 total yards, although he did finish with a career-high nine special teams tackles.
Smith signed with the Giants this offseason, but after landing on injured reserve in late August, he was released with an injury settlement. The 27-year-old caught on with the Titans in early October, appearing in three games with his new squad.
Munyer, 27, has bounced around the NFL since going undrafted out of Colorado in 2015. The lineman appeared in a career-high 14 games for the Cardinals last season. He’s spent most of the season on the Titans practice squad.
Minor NFL Transactions: 11/11/19
Here are Monday’s minor moves:
Chicago Bears
- Re-signed: T/TE Bradley Sowell
Houston Texans
- Signed: DE Joel Heath
- Waived: OL Dan Skipper
Kansas City Chiefs
- Placed on IR: T Martinas Rankin
- Signed off Colts’ practice squad: T Jackson Barton
New York Giants
- Signed off Panthers’ practice squad: CB Corn Elder
- Waived: OL Evan Brown
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Claimed off waivers from Titans: OL Aaron Stinnie
- Waived: C Nate Trewyn
Minor NFL Transactions: 11/9/19
Here are Saturday’s minor moves:
Chicago Bears
- Promoted from practice squad: RB Ryan Nall, LB James Vaughters
- Waived: TE Bradley Sowell
New York Giants
- Promoted from practice squad: OL Evan Brown
- Waived: DL Olsen Pierre
Tennessee Titans
- Promoted from practice squad: WR Cody Hollister
- Waived: OL Aaron Stinnie