Vince Young and the NFL Labor Showdown

Touring some of my favorite (annual) Georgetown haunts the past few days seemed a bit more dreary than usual this spring until running into a friend in the biz. My old pal, who shall remain nameless here (though he has a very "porn star" handle) had a tiny bit of Titans insight to pass along. Turns out, that unbeknownst to myself, our man #10 has indeed been keeping in touch (until this past week obviously) with the new staff and it has been discussed that should the showdown between the NFL and the players extend to the point where Tennessee cannot pull the trigger on a QB they covet they will indeed pay out the bonus and keep #10 on for the upcoming season.

This could be construed as a "tryout" of sorts for his own job. Interesting indeed.

I will certainly follow up on this story when I return to Nashville.

Stay Tuned!

Vin.

Biddle gets something right; Young for Kolb trade may happen

NOTE: This is a post written during my absence. Facts are still relevant in the face of the labor dispute.

I've only recently arrived in Tennessee but I was well aware of legendary Nashville media icon Joe Biddle long ago. Biddle has carved a national reputation for himself, as Deadspin recognized in this piece from five years ago.
http://deadspin.com/#!151788/why-you...cks-joe-biddle

Biddle's columns are largely ignored by everyone I know, save for those occasions when a good laugh is needed. "Hey, Vinny, check out the latest crap this fool wrote! You'll laugh your arse off." Reading a Biddle article requires the same sense of humor it takes to watch Sports Line with Hope Hines.

But give Joe some credit for getting something right for once. Biddle recently wrote that it would make sense for the Titans to trade Vince Young to the Eagles in exchange for Kevin Kolb.
http://www.tennessean.com/article/20...e-value-Titans

My inside sources have told me the Titans have actually been trying to negotiate that trade. While Mike Munchak still wants to keep VY, he hasn't yet been able to get Bud Adams to agree. In the meantime, GM Mike Reinfeldt has been working on getting a trade done as a contingency plan. If Adams won't agree to keep Young, Kolb would be the fallback option.

Of course, the thought that Kolb would be a good fit in Nashville was not an original idea on Biddle's part. Matter of fact, he's been a Joey-come-lately to the party, as usual. But if a Young for Kolb trade does happen, guess who's going to claim the credit and say, "I told you so."

Even a blind squirrel finds a nut every now and then.

Vin

HACKED! Sorry kids..

I apologize to my faithful few. It appears my blog was hacked and access was changed so I could not access things to delete unauthorized posts. I will have to use a bit more diligence in regard to security measures in the future.

I have deleted the sole offending post. It appears to have been not more than a prankster but it will not happen again.

That said, I have a few blog entries from my time off that I will post over the next few days. The labor dispute has slowed down my ability to have complete insider access and certain coverage but we will remain optimistic here in Titans Land!

Thanks to all!

Vin

A Brief Interview with " A Player"

Insider interviews with players generally work best when the public knows who the player is that's being interviewed. Unfortunately, when a former head coach of a certain unmentioned NFL team issues a gag order in regard to certain topics and when the new coach doesn't necessarily repeal said gag order it makes it very difficult to make such an interview relevant.

Today, we will do our best. Our friend (who we will call Joey for today's proceedings), who may or may not be on this unspecified team's roster stops by to answer a few questions in a most informal non detailed manner as possible. Joey plays on offense. He sometimes catches the ball. He sometimes blocks. He sometimes even speaks up on behalf of other teammates. We won't be putting names to those teammates in selected portions of our interview.

Joey, how are things my friend?

Things are just great Vincent. I've been on the road with my girl. Las Vegas and LA. Last season is in the rear view if you know what I'm saying. (I'm) hoping to start getting some calls about my services for 2011 real soon. My agent is pushing some buttons as we speak. Or at least he best be.

Speaking of last season being being "in the rear view", what is your take on what occurred with the head coaching position and do you think the "team" is going to be interested in your services in the upcoming season?

You know I can't say a whole lot in regard to Coach but it does seem that some of the dividing problems between some of my boys and some of the other guys has already worked itself out. Things (were) never as "drama" as they talk about in some of the fan forums or on PFT. I honestly haven't spoken to any team about my services. Those guys have (their) own problems to worry about with the potential league issues.

You mention fan forums and PFT. Do you and the guys partake in discussion or just read what the fans have to say.

Ah man, you know - it's hard not to get sucked into those guy(s) stories and (their) perception of how things work in the NFL. I just read for the most part but a few of the boys go with fake names and whatever. They go to bat if you know what I'm saying. ***** (QB) goes to bat with those guys from time to time. They (are) behind a screen so some of those folks don't show the kind of respect they would if they were face to face, you know. We like to comment on PFT about each other if they run a story. Just make **** up you know. Just playing. We all like a certain fan message website for the ****** (unmentioned NFL team), but not run by the team. There's some characters there that use our names and (stuff). If they use our names they normally keep it real. **** (Running back) has a boy with his name that always keeps it real. It's all in good fun though. I enjoy reading my own name regardless.

Speaking of *****(QB) what is your take on the team supposedly parting ways with him?

My man has alot of money due in a few weeks. I think he's gonna get paid. Looks like they have no choice with the league stuff and with no quarterbacks to go around you know.

If the season happens he may just be right there at home. I'm mostly thinking about where I suit up next season at this point.

If (QB) isn't back with the team next season, who goes under center?

Well they always have ****(older QB) but I ain't sure he(s) coming back. My money (is) on Lucky Charms if ****(QB) doesn't come back. They don't need nobody else. Boy (has) an arm.

Lucky Charms? Is that who I think it is? (LOL).

Yeah, that's the name we game him. Don't tell nobody but the boy has serious game. He got some playing time last season but even Coach knew he was thrown to the wolves. He's a special kid and he can throw the ball.

Finally, how do you think ***** (new head coach) is going to do in his first year?

He'll be great. I think it will be an all new attitude with one goal - get that ring. I hope I'm suiting with these boys and not against them. It's going to be something special, this first year. I mean yeah, we all miss **** (old coach) and he's has been getting alot of **** from the fans but they don't really know him either. He(s) a good man. It was just time for a change. .

Yes, I agree.. A long overdue change.

Until next time.

Vin

Does Titans Meeting Cancellation Mean Munchak is Behind The 8Ball?

It is my feeling that though the argument could be made that Coach Munchak is a step or two behind other teams in regard to the preparation process for the upcoming season, the potential (likely) work stoppage equates an entire new learning process for all NFL coaching staffs. The teams dealing with the least amount of changes since the close of the season prior may be teams with a leg up when the clouds lift. The Titans may be the team making the most changes of any in the NFL but the silver lining may come in the fact that certain other teams who generally prosper from continuity from offseason to season by also be handicapped by this unusual challenge. The opportunity for a young, hungry team to to take advantage 0f the situation may exist. Let's hope The Colts, Texans and Jaguars find the challenge a bit more difficult than our fresh new group. Wishful thinking anyway.

Vin

From The Tennesseean

Titans Cancel Meeting

Written by

Jim Wyatt

• FILED UNDER
• Sports
• Sports Tennessee Titans

Titans Coach Mike Munchak had hoped to gather his players today, introduce them to the new coaching staff and discuss plans in the event of a work stoppage.

The team meeting was abruptly canceled Tuesday, however, because of concerns about NFL rules during a league dead period, according to sources familiar with the situation.

At a meeting with coaches and general managers at the NFL Combine in Indianapolis, league officials reminded teams that existing rules forbid meetings with coaches and players until the official start of offseason conditioning programs on March 15.

The NFL recently warned the Browns and Rams after coaches from those teams reportedly had contact with players. With that in mind, the Titans opted to cancel their meeting, scheduled for 11 a.m. today. Players were informed by e-mail that the "timing of the meeting is not good," according to sources.

Titans Director of Player Development Tina Tuggle sent players an e-mail last week informing them it was strongly recommended they attend the meeting at Baptist Sports Park to meet the new staff and discuss plans for a possible work stoppage.

Players have been working out at the facility in recent weeks, but current rules limit meetings between players and coaches. Soon, there might be no contact at all.

The Collective Bargaining Agreement is set to expire at 10:59 p.m. on Thursday, and without a new agreement between the NFL and NFL Players Association, teams and players would be forbidden to communicate with each other.

That would put the Titans, with a new coaching staff, in an especially difficult spot heading into the offseason.

Munchak, who returned from the combine on Tuesday, could not be reached for comment.

Reach Jim Wyatt at 615-259-8015 or jwyatt@tennessean.com.

The Great Continental Divide

The two insider questions I am most asked when I'm at (what we will call) my "day job" for the past few months are in one instance a question that every Titans fan wants to know and another that seems a bit self indulgent and not necessarily football related.

The first has been the central topic of this new blog, one to which that I've always been able to add my two cents: Who will be The Titans quarterback in 2011? It seems clear to me that The Titans will draft their QB of the future either in this draft or the next and what seems more apparent by the day is this QB will be tutored by Vince Young for at least the next few years. Those plans could change should Coach Munchak not be able to sway upper management or should The Bengals allow a trade of Palmer for Young. The jury is out but at least we have a rounder idea of how things will play out.

The second question is one that I have pondered providing insight for some time now. It is one that may jeopardize my ability to maintain my insider connections altogether: Who sided with whom in the great Vince Young / Coach Fisher divide of the past few seasons. I will pass along an adjusted portion of this information and you, The Titans fan can draw your own conclusions.

Definitely on the Fisher side of things:

Kerry Collins, who lobbied had to get the starting job back from Young.

Donnie Nickey, a Fisher favorite who had personal clashes with Young on and off the field.

Eugene Amano (and ironically his predecessor Kevin Mawae) - I guess centers just don't get along with Young.

Javon Ringer, adamant Fisher support

Marc Mariani, for obvious reasons

Those who I have seen (or heard of) expressing genuine support for Young since the Washington game;

Kenny Britt

Randy Moss

Chris Johnson

Bo Scaife

Michael Griffin

Ahmard Hall

Jared Cook

Vincent Fuller

Jason Jones

Jacob Ford

Gerald McRath

Cortland Finnegan

To say any of these players had drawn a line in opposition to either Coach Fisher or Young would be profoundly exaggerated but the lists are based off of locker room circles. This is as much as I'm willing to say on the subject but as it looks ever increasingly like Young will stay on with the team I'd say much of the divisional issue has been addressed with the departure of Coach Fisher.

Vin

Vince Young / Carson Palmer swap? Don't count on it. Yet.

Some of you older fans of this organization may recall a trade that involved Oiler QB Dan Pastorini going to The Raiders for Kenny "The Snake" Stabler. An unusual trade even in it's day. The recent buzz around LP Field that Vince Young may be offered sent to Cincinnati in return for disgruntled Bengals QB Carson Palmer may have everything to do with the team's renewed "interest" in keeping Vince around. Make no bones about it, just as this organization wanted Stabler back in the day, they covet Carson Palmer with a passion.

Bringing in Palmer would allow The Titans to address defensive needs in this year's draft rather than taking a very chancy QB selection in a draft position that every team in the NFL knows is too early to take any available name at this position. The problem is, unlike our beloved Bud Adams who often rules with his heart, Bengals owner Mike Brown (son of the legendary Paul Brown) tends to rule with a strange vindictiveness. Mr. Brown has made it all but clear that his hand will not be the one that is forced. In 2011 Carson Palmer plays in Cincinnati or makes good on his retirement threat. One ray of sunshine in the Carson Palmer situation is the willingness of the up and coming Katie Blackburn, daughter of Mike Brown to stand up to her father in similar situations. Mrs. Blackburn is the heir apparent of The Bengals and seems to hold sway in regard to Palmer's inevitable outcome. It is reported that she would like to grant Palmer his wish and she is in turn a fan of Vince Young (some may even recall footage of Mrs. Backburn tossing the old pigskin around with Young at a matchup of the two teams not long ago). Aside from their business-first nature, The Browns are a nurturing football family for wayward NFL souls who may just be the perfect people to work Young back into the business of winning (or losing if tradition holds true in Cincinnati).

As Titans we normally enjoy watching the bumbling antics of an old rival and would not normally hope they make the choice that benefits their team. We are not Bengals fans, we are Titans fans. But in this situation it seems apparent that what benefits The Bengals also helps us. Free Carson Palmer!

Sadly such a swap would likely have as much impact on the new teams as the old Pastorini/Stabler trade did in the 70's.

None.

Vin