Tennessee

Upon review of Tennessee Titans’ loss to Colts, one stat is especially concerning | Estes

Published

1 year ago

October 9, 2023

Press Room

Upon review of Tennessee Titans’ loss to Colts, one stat is especially concerning | Estes

Making sense of the Tennessee Titans’ loss to the Indianapolis Colts in Week 5 of the 2023 NFL season.
The Titans’ wins and losses have featured a trend that could be concerning for Tennessee: it wins when good in red zone and loses when it’s not

INDIANAPOLIS – A Monday postscript to breathe a little life into the Tennessee Titans’ deflating 23-16 loss to the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday:

1. As another example of slippage from past success, the Titans were 1-for-4 in scoring touchdowns in the red zone Sunday, dropping their season average to a woeful 35.29%. That’s tied for third-worst in the NFL, and it’s a steep decline from previous seasons under Mike Vrabel.

In 2022, the Titans (64.29%) were sixth-best in red-zone offense. In 2020, they were second (74.24%), and they led the league in 2019 (77.36%).

“Red zone offense is something that has been a factor in helping us win,” Vrabel said Sunday.

Indeed. If there’s one stat to decode the Titans’ wins and losses thus far, this is the one: In losses, the Titans were a combined 1-for-9 in the red zone. In wins? 5-for-8.

“We’ve got to be better. I’ve got to be better,” running back Derrick Henry said. “… When we get down there, (we need to) score TDs in the red zone. There’s a heavy emphasis on that by coach, and we didn’t do it today at all on offense.”

2. The silver lining to that red cloud would be that kicker Nick Folk continues to be rock-solid when routinely asked to convert in these situations. His 13 field goals are three off the NFL lead, and he’s one of only two kickers to have attempted at least 10 and made them all.

Folk has contributed 46 points this season. The rest of the Titans have scored 42.

3. Yes, there were bright spots Sunday for the Titans, the biggest being that the pass protection was better – not flawless, but better – against a good defensive front. It’s encouraging that a weak spot appears to be improving as the season progresses, which needed to happen for this offense.

And as a result, Ryan Tannehill played well. He was only sacked once, and the Titans’ 259 passing yards were their most in a game since Nov. 27 of last season.

Four of the Titans’ longest six plays Sunday were passes to DeAndre Hopkins, who was by far the offense’s most productive player and has been for much of this season.

“That extra half second makes all the difference, you know,” Tannehill said. “A few plays where (Hopkins) had to move a little bit to get himself open, had some play-action plays where he was able to get behind the defense. When we’re able to have that extra half second, then I feel really confident we’ll find a good place to go with the football and we’ll make a play.”

4. The Colts should have had at least one more sack. On a third-and-long play in the second quarter, DeForest Buckner beat Aaron Brewer and missed a clear shot at Tannehill, who shook him off and completed a throw to Tyjae Spears for the first down.

The next play, by the way, Brewer was flagged for holding, nullifying what would have been Henry’s longest run of the afternoon. In defense of Brewer, earlier in that same possession, he’d knocked a Colts defender on his backside during a 13-yard screen pass to Henry.

5. The 429 yards allowed Sunday by the Titans’ defense was the most by an opponent since last season’s loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. So in the Titans’ last 14 games, the offenses that had the most statistical success against them were coached by the same person. First-year Colts coach Shane Steichen was formerly the Eagles’ offensive coordinator. That’s an ominous trend against a rival and a coach you’ll face a lot more and again this season.

“After every play, somebody was, ‘Oh, my bad,’” Titans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair said. “Like we all had that one play. Nobody is going to be perfect, but I think in a game like this that’s so crucial, division opponent, coming down, everybody is throwing haymakers back and forth … we just can’t afford to have that many ‘my bads’ from anybody, myself included.”

As a side note, Steichen’s background made an interesting coincidence out of Kristian Fulton’s critical pass interference penalty on a third-and-12 late in the game. The collision (think about a block-charge decision in basketball) was remarkably similar to a penalty that Fulton picked up against A.J. Brown on a touchdown in last season’s Philadelphia game.

Tennessee Titans’ Kristian Fulton says refs were wrong on pivotal pass interference call

6. From a purely Titans perspective, the unfortunate play in which Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson injured his shoulder stood out as one of the few instances this season in which Harold Landry reached a quarterback. Since a sack in Week 2 against the Los Angeles Chargers, Landry hasn’t logged a QB hurry or a TFL in the past three games.

7. Reserve edge rusher Trevis Gipson only saw nine defensive snaps Sunday, but early in the fourth quarter, he was able to flush Gardner Minshew from the pocket on what ended up being an incomplete pass thrown out of bounds. It was one of few times that Minshew – who was 11-of-14 in relief and never sacked – was forced off script by Titans pressure.

8. Hopkins had eight catches and was close to a ninth – and his first Titans touchdown – when Henry barely led him too far into the back of the end zone on the offense’s first possession. While Henry has completed short tosses around the goal line (like the previous week), he was asked in this instance to make a far more challenging throw on a first down from the Colts’ 13-yard line. And it wasn’t a bad effort by the running back. Henry lobbed it into a space behind defenders. Just a tad bit too much.

“Derrick isn’t a quarterback,” Hopkins said, “so I can’t fault him too much for however he threw it.”

9. The Colts only punted once in this game. But the same was true for the Titans, who had three drives of at least 10 plays. All three of those possessions ended in field goals.

The Titans’ one red-zone TD came on a nice play call by Tim Kelly. With Henry in the backfield, Spears lined up as a receiver and then, after a fake to Henry, took the end-around 19 yards for a well-blocked touchdown. A continued thumbs-up to the combo of these two running backs in the game together. That’s proving to be a problem for defenses.

Previously: How Tyjae Spears, repaired knee and all, is sprinting to stardom with Tennessee Titans | Estes

10. And finally, welcome back, Kyle Philips. The receiver was out there for his first regular-season game since about this time last season, returning the Colts’ lone punt and appearing in 13 offensive plays (22%), often as a slot receiver in long-yardage situations.

Philips didn’t log a catch, but he was targeted once by Tannehill on a third-down throw in which the QB was pressured into an incompletion.

“Felt good. Felt healthy. It was just nice to be out there again,” said Philips, who hurt his knee during the preseason, the latest in a struggle with injuries during his two NFL seasons.

Reach Tennessean sports columnist Gentry Estes at gestes@tennessean.com and on the X platform (formerly known as Twitter) @Gentry_Estes.

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Tennessee

Tennessee General Assembly convenes for session expected to focus on voucher issue

Published

7 hours ago

January 14, 2025

Press Room

Tennessee General Assembly convenes for session expected to focus on voucher issue

The 114th General Assembly gaveled in at the Tennessee state Capitol Tuesday for a legislative session expected to largely focus on education issues as Gov. Bill Lee seeks to push through a private school voucher proposal.

With few election shake-ups last fall, lawmakers returned to a legislature with little change in the status quo. Republicans still hold a strong supermajority, and prexisting leadership will preside over both chambers.

Senate Republicans on Tuesday reelected Lt. Gov. Randy McNally, R-Oak Ridge, as Speaker of the Senate. Senate Democrats all abstained from the vote.

“Each General Assembly I’ve gaveled in seems to be better than the last,” McNally said.

In the House, Speaker Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville, also easily won reelection to lead the chamber. Democrats nominated House Minority Leader Karen Camper, D-Memphis, and unanimously voted for her.

“The people of District 52 will not vote for an authoritarian!” Rep. Justin Jones, D-Nashville, yelled from his seat before casting his vote for Camper.

As Republican members called their votes for Sexton, a spectator yelled out “boo!” and “gross!” from the west gallery – prompting a chuckle from the sitting speaker, who stood to one side as the election was held.

“I greatly appreciate all that voted for me today, and for those of you who didn’t, I do know some of you wanted to, and I understand that,” Sexton said. “Over the last five years, we’ve all learned a lot. My goal is to be more efficient, empower Tennesseans over the government and uphold our constitutional duty of public oversight.”

Notably, some desks were rearranged on the House floor since last year. Jones and Rep. Justin Pearson, D-Memphis, who had previously been seated near each other and have frequently clashed with their Republican colleagues, were both moved. Pearson is now seated next to Rep. Vincent Dixie, D-Nashville, in a sea of Republican desks across the chamber from the Democratic caucus. Jones has been moved to the front, near the speaker’s dais.

The House Select Committee on Rules convened later Tuesday afternoon to discuss proposed changes to the rules. Ahead of the meeting, proposed rules changes included a limit on the number of bills each member can propose, and a “three-strikes” rule proposing to permanently ban members of the public found to be disruptive from the gallery.

The initial weeks of a legislative session are often slow-moving as committees get settled and bills began to make their way through the legislative process. The Senate is expected to name committee assignments on Thursday. Many eyes will be on the appointment of the Senate Education Committee chair after former Sen. Jon Lundberg’s ouster last year in the GOP primary. The committee will prove pivotal in the voucher issue.

Advocates on both side of the issue mingled in the Capitol halls on Tuesday.

There are rumblings that Lee intends to call a special session in late January on his voucher bill.

The effort failed last year amid legislative gridlock. A special session call would allow lawmakers to narrow their focus on the issue, which could be tied to disaster relief funding for areas of East Tennessee.

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Archibald: Let’s rename the world, but start with Tennessee

Published

14 hours ago

January 14, 2025

Press Room

Archibald: Let’s rename the world, but start with Tennessee

This is an opinion column.

Who knew it was an option to simply change the names of things that don’t belong to us?

The possibilities are endless. You don’t have to actually change anything. You just have to call it something else.

For personal reasons, I’d like to rename Tennessee “Dorkland.” No offense to actual dorks. For personal reasons, Tennesseans have called me worse.

I’ve never understood why Alabama, which presumably dares defend its rights of way, allows the Dorkland River to flow freely in and out of its borders. Maybe we should just call it the River Sticks. Because you cross it to get to hillbilly hell.

It’s freeing to rename things that annoy you. There’s a president, I mean precedent, for it. And bodies of water are a good start.

Lake Superior is in the state of Canada, for Pete’s sake. It should rightly be called Lake Inferior. And the Pacific Ocean sounds like some hippy dippy draft dodger with “bad feet.” Let’s call it the Ocean of American Might. That’ll make waves.

Most rivers in Alabama are named for Native American culture, and I like that, except in the case of the one mentioned above. Lakes, on the other hand, are generally named for Alabama Power execs or their mothers, lawyers, engineers or friends. I’d change them in a Reddy Kilowatt, to Atlantic, Ventnor and Marvin Gardens. Park Place and Boardwalk. You know. Monopoly properties.

I guess New Mexico has to change. But I’m sure smart people are already thinking that.

I’m curious, too, why we never bothered to name the moon. It’s there every night and it’s just … moon. It’s like calling your dog “Dog” or your kid “Kid.” We planted a flag in that thing, so give it a fitting name: Yankee Doodle Flashlight. Or is it a gaslight?

But before you can change the heavens you have to change the wrongs closer to home.

There’s an Alabama town called Cuba 11 miles west of Intercourse. Of course we can’t have that. Cuba, I mean. We’ll call it Foreplay instead.

An hour northeast of Needmore, a little less than an hour northwest of Smuteye, is the community of Little Texas. There are only about 1,200 people there, but they need to own it. Forget the Little, and just call them Texas. The state of Texas? We’ll call it West Smuteye.

Marshall County has an Egypt and an Arab (rhymes with Ahab). It’s probably why the county has the third-highest immigrant population rate in the state. Alabama has a Berlin, a Havana and a Rome — where all roads do not lead.

There’s the Abel community in Cleburne County, just across the Talladega National Forest from Waldo, if you know where to find Waldo. As the Bible tells us Abel was a loser, so that has to change. Just call it Cain.

For that matter, why don’t we change the names of names.

Alabama offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan has not earned the right to be Tuscaloosa’s Nick S. (or a paycheck 22 times the median household income in the state, but that’s another story). Let’s just call him Temp.

That singer from Alabama, India Ramey, is tearing up Nashville these days. She’s great. But I’m afraid we’re going to have to call her Indiana. For America’s sake.

Cuba Gooding Jr. must be Cuba Not-so-Gooding. And while I hate it for Tennessee Williams, he will now have to be Dorkland Williams. It’s not even fair.

But hey, I’m just calling ‘em what I see ‘em.

In a world where greed is godly, thought control is liberty and theocracy is religious freedom, a rose is whatever you want to call it.

John Archibald is a two-time Pulitzer winner who, in actuality, has nothing at all against the great state of Tennessee. Or Dorkland.

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Tennessee

The 2025 Tennessee legislative session begins on Tuesday. Here's what to know

Published

22 hours ago

January 14, 2025

Press Room

The 2025 Tennessee legislative session begins on Tuesday. Here's what to know

The first bill filed ahead of the start of the Tennessee legislative session reintroduces universal school vouchers, a topic that failed to find support last year.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Tuesday marks the start of the 2025 Tennessee legislative session — an annual process that brings state lawmakers to Nashville to discuss and decide on proposals that can impact all of the state’s 7.2 million residents.

This will be the 114th General Assembly, meaning it will be the 114th group of lawmakers to gather in the capital — whether it be located in Nashville, Knoxville, Kingston or Murfreesboro — to pass laws. The first General Assembly was on March 28, 1796.

There is a Republican supermajority this legislative session, as there has been in the previous years. This means that Democratic lawmakers could effectively not show up and there would still be enough lawmakers to pass laws. There will be 27 Republicans in the Senate with six Democratic members. The House of Representatives has 75 Republicans and 24 Democratic members.

Effectively, nothing changed in the makeup of this session compared to the previous one. However, some previous Republican lawmakers had their seats taken by new Republican members. Some of those members, such as Republican Representative Rick Scarbrough, were voted into their seats after collecting donations from a PAC that supports universal school voucher proposals.

The first bill filed of this session reintroduces the program, which drew the ire of educators and community members across East Tennessee. Its mostly Republican supporters argue that the proposal increases school choice for Tennessee families. However, educators and advocates condemned it for using public money to fund private school expenses.

Last year, the proposal failed after three competing bills were introduced, each with different rules for the program. This year, there is a single bill to start the program. It includes a $2,000 bonus for teachers and requirements for private schools to be accredited. It also bases scholarships for families on the amount of money students generate for schools, according to the state’s TISA formula.

Democratic lawmakers and advocates contend that despite the changes, the core of the proposal remains the same — using public money to pay for private school expenses. They say that it effectively removes funding for public schools, which already face tight budgets. They also argue that the proposal leaves out rural families who may not have private school options, and said the funding will only subsidize private education costs instead of outright paying for them.

Abortion also promises to be a contentious topic, as it has been for several years. This year, Republican lawmakers proposed banning abortion care medication from being sent in the state’s mail system, further restricting abortion care access in a state already known for having one of the country’s most restrictive abortion care bans.

Democratic lawmakers proposed abolishing the state’s grocery tax as a way to help families save money while prices continue to rise nationally for most goods. Republican leaders said they hope to refine the proposal to keep the tax in place, in some form.

Proposals that expand police powers to detain undocumented immigrants and require different IDs to be given to immigrants have also been introduced, along with a proposal that could effectively expand the state’s anti-transgender bathroom rules.

This legislative session will also be held during the first term of President-elect Donald Trump, who many state lawmakers and leaders including Governor Bill Lee have met and expressed support for in the past. Lee signed onto a pledge with 25 other Republican governors in December to support Trump’s immigration policies, which he said include plans for mass deportations.

The legislative session will also begin with a lawsuit continuing to go through the courts that Representative Justin Jones (D-Nashville) filed against Lee. In it, he said his constitutional rights were violated when leaders tried to stop his dissent on issues like gun restrictions by expelling and silencing him.

Usually, legislative sessions last until late April or May of each year.

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