This past season, the Tennessee Titans had some big swings that bounced back.
The biggest was to invest a first round in attacking linebacker Isaiah Wilson, who played a grand total of four snaps in his rookie season. After multiple off-field issues, the Titans traded Wilson to Miami in the off-season. He did not last two weeks with the Dolphins before he was cut.
The other big swing and miss was the signing of Vic Beasley. The veteran edge rusher reported late and was just as invisible on the field before being dismissed after just five games.
Part of Tennessee’s spending last season had minimal contact with free agencies and draft prospects due to COVID-19.
Despite the miss, coach Mike Vrabel said it was not the Titans’ process to evaluate players, especially in draft, in the second season of COVID restrictions.
“I think we need to continue to do our due diligence and then go through our process,” the coach said. “We are excited about the guys we have from the concept, who are coming back. Hopefully we can contribute to this this year.”
Vrabel often talked about adding players who ‘like ball’. Given their problems, it could be argued that Wilson and Beasley did not live up to expectations.
However, the coach does not believe that a different approach was needed during the off-season or to move forward to last year’s expenses.
“We’re comfortable with the guys who brought us in,” he said. “We’re excited about joining the team. After meeting and seeing these guys, talking to them, we’m excited to add them to our soccer team and help us win.”
Even with their mistakes on the roster, the Titans still made it to the post-season and lost to Baltimore on the Super Wild Card weekend.
The hope is that this year’s additions, including Bud Dupree of an ACL tear, will succeed better than 2020.