Tennessee
Three Observations on Titans 53-Man Roster
![Three Observations on Titans 53-Man Roster Three Observations on Titans 53-Man Roster](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_4207,h_2366,x_0,y_0/c_fill,w_1440,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/all_titans/01j6b6a5jmrpbs8vasz6.jpg)
The Tennessee Titans have their 53-man roster solidified for now, but in the NFL, things change on a dime.
The Titans have some unique factors in regards to their 53-man roster. Here’s a look at three observations:
Most NFL teams usually carry three tight ends on their roster at any given time. Some teams will bring four on the roster, in case they like an extra blocker, but very rarely do teams carry five … unless you’re the Titans.
The Titans have Chig Okonkwo, Josh Whyle, Nick Vannett, Thomas Odukoya and David Martin-Robinson all on the initial 53-man roster.
With Whyle injured for most of training camp, Martin-Robinson and Odukoya saw more reps than usual, and they impressed the Titans enough to warrant a roster spot.
It’s unlikely all five will dress on game day, but they should all have some impact this season.
The Titans have been decimated at the defensive line spot, with Marlon Davidson and TK McLendon Jr. both hitting injured reserve.
That leaves Jeffery Simmons, T’Vondre Sweat, Keondre Coburn and Sebastian Joseph-Day as the only defensive linemen on the roster.
It’s likely that the team won’t be satisfied with just those four, and perhaps a waiver claim or two is coming.
The Titans have also been stung by the injury bug in the linebacker room, with Chance Campbell, JoJo Domann and Garret Wallow all out for the year with injuries.
Trading for Los Angeles Rams linebacker Ernest Jones will help tremendously and gives the Titans another linebacker to work with.
Jones will eat up a lot of snaps alongside Kenneth Murray Jr. and Jack Gibbens leading Dennard Wilson’s defense.
The Titans’ 53-man roster is preparing for their Week 1 matchup against the Chicago Bears on Sunday, Sept. 8.
Make sure you bookmark Tennessee Titans on SI for the latest news, exclusive interviews, film breakdowns and so much more!
![](https://newspub.live/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/np-logo.png)
Tennessee
Middle Tennessee parents sue Williamson County school board, claim child was unfairly expelled, punished
The parents of an Independence High School student are suing the Williamson County school board and District Attorney Stacey Edmondson after they say their child was unfairly expelled and punished under a districtwide zero tolerance policy.
The case is the latest filing against the board regarding the zero tolerance policy, passed in 2023 as a result of the Covenant School shooting in Nashville. A second case, filed May 21 in the U.S. District Court’s Middle Tennessee district at Nashville, involves two middle school students and is also pending.
The Williamson County school board declined to comment for this story, citing the pending litigation.
Attempts to reach Edmondson for comment on this story were not successful.
The newest lawsuit, filed Aug. 16 by Julie and Scott Wernert in the same U.S. District Court at Nashville, claims the couple’s son was criminally prosecuted by Edmonson’s office and was “humiliated before his peers, deprived of access to his classes and curriculum and made to suffer other indignities,” after he was expelled for allegedly doing a “Hitler salute” and making a comment about North Korea in a class on Sept. 11.
Under Williamson County Schools’ zero tolerance policy, any student found to have made threats, including speech, that a reasonable person could conclude would lead to serious bodily injury or death for two or more people should be expelled for a year.
But, no evidence has been presented, to date, showing that the boy actually made the salute or the comment, the 22-page suit said, noting that Independence High School Principal Nikki Patton is said to have shouted, “I don’t care, I want him arrested,” in response to the lack of proof.
The boy was subsequently arrested, strip-searched, taken to a Juvenile Detention Center and placed in solitary confinement, the suit said. It also adds that the use of the word “threat” is not defined in state law and as a result, “the lack of an intent element leaves a child who utters anything that can be even remotely construed as a ‘threat’ vulnerable to criminal prosecution and other dire consequences.”
That argument is advanced further in the joint lawsuit, filed on behalf of the middle schoolers in May. It claims both students were questioned and punished under the zero-tolerance policy.
In the first incident, a 14-year-old student at Page Middle School was accused on Aug. 10, 2023 by another student of making threats about having a gun in his backpack, shooting up the school and having a bomb at home, the suit said.
The student was placed on a 24-hour solitary confinement hold and, “was required to strip down and change into jail clothes while an adult male guard was facing away,” the suit said, also noting that the boy was incarcerated for four days and later placed under house arrest in his parents’ custody.
After appealing the punishment to the school board, Williamson County Superintendent Jason Golden concluded that the boy would be allowed to return to class, although he created a rumor “of a threat of a weapon” at school.
The second incident outlined in the joint suit makes no mention of a resolution.
It occurred on Aug. 22, 2023 at Fairview Middle School.
School officials determined that a 13-year-old student’s text message was a “Threat of Mass Violence,” the suit said.
In a text thread, shared with the court, the student was talking about plans for the week and responded at one point, “on Thursday we kill all the Mexico’s,” the suit reads.
The girl was taken to the Williamson County Juvenile Detention Center, where she was forced to undergo a strip search. She was also allegedly questioned by staff, who asked “if she had ever had sex, an abortion or suicidal thoughts,” the suit said.
The joint suit is seeking $300,000 in damages for both students and for the zero tolerance policy to be declared unconstitutional.
The Wernert lawsuit is also seeking $300,000 in damages along with the same policy designation.
Tennessee
Memphis Sales Tax Revenue Is At Whim Of Tennessee Government
![Memphis Sales Tax Revenue Is At Whim Of Tennessee Government Memphis Sales Tax Revenue Is At Whim Of Tennessee Government](https://imageio.forbes.com/specials-images/imageserve/66ce746ff078d038437b2e6a/0x0.jpg?format=jpg&height=900&width=1600&fit=bounds)
MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE – SEPTEMBER 7: Police investigate the scene of a reported carjacking reportedly … [+]
Sales tax revenue, often a significant source of funding for local governments, may be perceived as securely allocated to the municipality where it is generated—but this assumption overlooks the reality that state governments often retain considerable control.
In many states, the allocation of sales tax revenue to municipalities is not guaranteed, and may be contingent on compliance with state policies. This can be a powerful tool for reinforcing state priorities over local autonomy.
Memphis Gun Reform
A recent example in Tennessee illustrates the dynamic between states and municipalities. Memphis city leaders had approved a plan to place a gun control referendum on the November ballot, much to the chagrin of Tennessee state Republican leaders.
The referendum would address critical issues such as requiring permits for guns and banning assault rifles outright—but its placement on the ballot is an open question.
Tennessee Republican leaders threatened to withhold Memphis’ share of sales tax revenue, arguing the referendum would be tantamount to a circumvention of state law. The threat underscored the vulnerability of municipal budgets to state-level political decisions—because it worked. Election officials agreed to leave the gun control questions off the ballot.
The distribution of state sales tax revenue is often not a matter of simple allocation to where the revenue was generated, but implicates a complex interplay of power and politics.
Broader Implications
The outcome in Tennessee is a clear illustration that sales tax revenue, crucial for funding local services, can be wielded as a tool of political influence.
The ability of states to control the flow of sales tax revenue raises questions about municipalities’ ability to legislate—doubly so in states where there are significant political differences between cities and state government.
This pressure can stifle innovation in governance and prevent municipalities from addressing the needs and desires of their residents, where local conditions and priorities may differ significantly from those of the state. It also emphasizes the importance of the state government in any policy reform.
Policy Reforms
Moving forward, state initiatives could be encouraged to draft legislation that protects municipalities from financial retaliation in much the same way many state constitutions prohibit state legislatures from cutting funding from the judiciary.
Such legislation could include revenue allocation safeguards, wherein states guarantee municipalities will receive their share of sales tax revenue based on where it is generated, regardless of any local policy decisions.
Further, non-retaliation clauses could be encouraged, which would explicitly prohibit the withholding of funds as a punitive measure for policy differences. Such policies would, at least, require state governments like that in Tennessee to make their reallocations less explicitly retaliatory.
Ultimately, there would need to be judicial oversight, giving municipalities the right to challenge withholding of revenue in state court, with clear standards as to when it is and is not appropriate.
Conclusion
The ability of states to wield sales tax revenue as a cudgel presents challenges to local governance. To protect municipalities and ensure they can address their unique needs without fear of state financial retaliation, it is crucial for states to enact legislation guaranteeing fair and consistent allocation of sales tax revenue.
By implementing safeguards, non-retaliation standards, and judicial oversight, a balance can be struck that upholds both local autonomy and state interests.
Tennessee
Tennessee wrongly kicked thousands off Medicaid, judge rules
![Tennessee wrongly kicked thousands off Medicaid, judge rules Tennessee wrongly kicked thousands off Medicaid, judge rules](https://www.reuters.com/resizer/v2/H375XHK5RBNGDPET3ETLNSYELE.jpg?auth=603ecc5288d20069d7086884f32d023c84157d3a3917858b30d5d40d98224f3a&height=1005&width=1920&quality=80&smart=true)
-
Technology7 days ago
Breakthrough robo-glove gives you superhuman grip
-
Connecticut5 days ago
Oxford church provides sanctuary during Sunday's damaging storm
-
News1 week ago
Video: Biden Delivers Keynote on First Night of D.N.C.
-
News1 week ago
Video: Protesters Clash With Police Near the Democratic National Convention
-
News1 week ago
Ex-officer convicted in George Floyd's killing is moved to new prison
-
Politics1 week ago
Former teacher reveals which students suffered 'the most' under Walz's pandemic-era guidelines
-
News1 week ago
Video: D.N.C. Holds Enthusiastic Roll Call to Nominate Harris
-
World1 week ago
Panama deports 29 Colombian migrants from Darien Gap under US deal