Tennessee
Bengals meeting with Tennessee’s Omarr Norman-Lott for pre-draft visit
The Cincinnati Bengals continue to build their own big board for the upcoming NFL Draft, and another name they appear to have added is Tennessee Volunteer defensive tackle Omarr Norman-Lott, according to Ian Rapoport. He also visited with the Brown, Falcons, Bears and Bucs, and he has upcoming visits with the Bills and Titans.
The Bengals have previously met with defensive linemen Walter Nolen and James Pierce, and it’s clear they’re looking to bolster a defensive front that struggled to get to the passer, outside of Trey Hendrickson, of course.
Norman-Lott was featured on a talented and heavy rotation on the Volunteers defensive line, so his snaps were limited, but he he was primarily a three-tech. The undersized lineman excelled at creating havoc in the backfield, and led FBS defensive tackles in pass rush win rate and win percentage. Having a consistent pass rusher from the interior of the defensive line is something the Bengals have lacked since Geno Atkins’ departure.
The Bengals’ defense, even with Hendrickson’s lead-leading 17.5 sacks, only managed 36 sacks in total, landing them in the bottom 10 defenses in the league at generating pressure. In a conference with Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, and Lamar Jackson, who the Bengals play twice a season at a minimum, they can’t afford to not have more pass rushers. If the Bengals don’t find a defensive tackle, they like early, or if Norman-Lott is sitting available to them in the third or fourth rounds, selecting him would absolutely make sense.
ESPN ranks Norman-Lott as the seventh-best defensive tackle and the No. 52 overall ranked player in this year’s draft class. PFF ranks him as the ninth-best interior defender and the No. 66 overall selection. Dane Brugler, however, has Norman-Lott as this year’s 15th-ranked interior defensive lineman has him outside the top-100 prospects in this year’s “The Beast,” and believes he’ll be a third or fourth-round pick.
What would you think about the Bengals grabbing Norman-Lott on Day 2 or early Day 3 in this year’s draft?
Tennessee
Tennessee Titans head coach interview schedule takes shape
The Tennessee Titans’ search for their next head coach is coming into focus, and the initial interview phase is in full swing.
Following the news that Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy would be having a first virtual interview on Thursday, the dates and times for some interviews for other candidates have come out.
Multiple reports on social media indicate that Indianapolis Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo will meet with Mike Borgonzi on Wednesday, followed by Nagy on Thursday. The team will then follow that up by meeting with former Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski on Saturday and former Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris on Monday.
Tennessee will also meet with interim head coach Mike McCoy, and is rumored to have interest in former Washington Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury.
It’s an ever-changing process in Nashville. Stay up to date with all the coaching search news with us here at Titans Wire, and please sound off with your thoughts.
Tennessee
419 sober drivers in Tennessee arrested for DUI in 2024, according to TBI
Tennessee
Sick and tired: Counties near Chattanooga are now reporting highest flu rates in Tennessee
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn — Tennessee health officials say flu activity is rising sharply in around Chattanooga, with counties surrounding Hamilton showing some of the highest rates in the state.
Marion, Grundy, Sequatchie, Bradley, Meigs, Rhea, Bledsoe, McMinn and Polk counties are currently the only areas in Tennessee rated “very high” for influenza activity by the Tennessee Dept. of Health. Photo via the Tennessee Health Dept.
Marion, Grundy, Sequatchie, Bradley, Meigs, Rhea, Bledsoe, McMinn and Polk counties are currently the only areas in Tennessee rated “very high” for influenza activity by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
These counties have flu positivity rates greater than 10 percent. By comparison, the statewide average is 6.5 percent, and Hamilton County itself is at 6.9 percent.
State and federal health experts say the surge comes as influenza A(H3N2) continues to circulate widely. The CDC reports at least 11 million flu illnesses, 120,000 hospitalizations, and 5,000 deaths nationwide so far this season. One pediatric death was reported this week in Tennessee, bringing the season total to nine nationwide.
File photo: Getty Images.
Georgia officials are also reporting higher-than-average flu activity, signaling that the region is experiencing a particularly active season. Health authorities encourage residents six months and older to get vaccinated if they have not already and to take precautions such as frequent handwashing and staying home when sick.
Flu activity is expected to remain elevated in Tennessee and across the U.S. for several more weeks, according to the CDC. Local hospitals and clinics are urging families to monitor symptoms and seek care early, especially for children, older adults, and those with chronic health conditions.
For the latest guidance on influenza vaccination and antiviral treatments, visit the Tennessee Department of Health or the CDC at cdc.gov.
-
World1 week agoHamas builds new terror regime in Gaza, recruiting teens amid problematic election
-
News1 week agoFor those who help the poor, 2025 goes down as a year of chaos
-
Business1 week agoInstacart ends AI pricing test that charged shoppers different prices for the same items
-
World1 week agoPodcast: The 2025 EU-US relationship explained simply
-
Business1 week agoApple, Google and others tell some foreign employees to avoid traveling out of the country
-
Technology1 week agoChatGPT’s GPT-5.2 is here, and it feels rushed
-
Health1 week agoDid holiday stress wreak havoc on your gut? Doctors say 6 simple tips can help
-
Politics1 week ago‘Unlucky’ Honduran woman arrested after allegedly running red light and crashing into ICE vehicle