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It wasn’t that long ago that Andrew Luck‘s arm appeared to be shot.It was even less long ago that the Colts were 1-5.Now they’re a playoff team.The Colts held off the Titans 33-17 in the final game of the regular season http://www.thetitanslockerroom.com/authentic-quinton-spain-jersey , securing the final spot in the AFC playoffs and a date with the Texans next Saturday. It’s the Frank Reich against the Oilers of seasons, and they’ve taken on their rookie coach’s penchant for timeliness.It isn’t always pretty, but they don’t have the roster to overwhelm, at least not yet. What they have is a generally smart quarterback in Andrew Luck (other than the mystery interception), who fits in seamlessly, and knows how to spread the ball around.He finished the game 24-of-35 for 285 yards, three touchdowns and an interception. And when he hit tight end Ryan Hewitt for a touchdown in the third quarter, it made Hewitt the 13th different player to catch a touchdown pass from him this year.After not playing at all last year as he recovered from shoulder problems, he’s having one of his best seasons. And he’s lifting his team to an improbable comeback. Which his coach knows a little something about.Here are five more things we learned during :1. Baker Mayfield and Saquon Barkley are the favorites, and one of them will probably win offensive rookie of the year.But the job left guard Quenton Nelson has done to help transform the Colts into a power team is one of the most impressive this season.The sixth-overall pick from Notre Dame was highly touted, and may be better than advertised. He simply flattens people, and the personality has rubbed off on the Colts line.Along with second-round right tackle Braden Smith, they’ve transformed the Colts line into a good one, allowing Luck to shine and a store-brand cast of backs to look like difference-makers. While some might have them spend a pile of cap money on a Le'Veon Bell, Marlon Mack ran 25 times for 119 yards and a touchdown, and looks like all the back they need.2.聽As we say in the South: “Bless their hearts, the Titans tried.”An otherwise promising year for rookie coach Mike Vrabel and his tough, physical team came undone for the usual football reason 鈥?they ran out of guys.Quarterback Marcus Mariota not being available was the final blow, but the Titans had far too many contributors fall along the wayside this year to be truly competitive in a playoff setting.From recent IR additions Jurrell Casey and Logan Ryan, to right tackle Jack Conklin to the depth-chart-killing tight end shortage (Delanie Walker and Jonnu Smith), it just became impossible for the Titans to compete.Sometimes such shortages are the result of poor planning or cap management, which prevents you from being as deep as you’d like. But sometimes it’s just plain, dumb, luck, and the Titans ran out.Again, a team with Blaine Gabbert at quarterback isn’t an actual playoff team, but the absence of Casey was noteworthy Sunday night, as the few times they pressured Luck he made some mistakes.3. Not to pick on Gabbert (soound the “no disrespect” horn), but it’s hard to imagine anyone putting him in a position to impact a potential playoff game ever again.He must be a wonderful teammate and human being, because he’s not very good at being a quarterback, and his dreadful fourth-quarter interception (the first one) buried the Titans’ season. He was 18-of-29 for 165 yards, a touchdown and two picks. You can’t make the playoffs averaging 5.7 yards per attempt.Even if聽you don’t believe that quarterback wins are a stat, he’s now 13-35 as a starter in the regular season (He has never quarterbacked in the postseason). That’s so profoundly bad that it has to be something.And if the Titans tire of him, he’ll doubtless get another job Jayon Brown Jersey , either because he just looks like a quarterback, or failed first-rounders will always make egomaniacal coaches think their particular genius can fix him. Either way, it’s a terrible idea.4. Colts tight end Eric Ebron‘s second-quarter touchdown gave him 14 for the season, and made him one of the league’s great comeback stories of the year.Usually the awards go to guys who come back from injury or illness, but Ebron overcoming years of being a Lion ought to be worth something.He was widely regarded as a draft bust, for never living up to the expectations of being chosen 10th overall in 2014. And in fairness, the fact the next three picks were Taylor Lewan, Odell Beckham Jr. and Aaron Donald made it easy to see.But it might have been a matter of finding the right fit. Luck has always been good for tight ends, and with Jack Doyle out injured, Ebron has emerged as one of his most reliable weapons.His touchdown allowed him to surpass his entire scoring total from four years in Detroit (12 total touchdowns in four seasons there), and prove that he belongs in the conversation with the other players chosen in the 2014 first round.5. With the loss, the Titans (9-7) will pick 19th in the 2019 NFL Draft, followed by the Steelers (9-6-1).After watching the Ravens hold off the Browns late, the Steelers were reduced to hoping for a tie, as they’d have won the three-way tiebreaker if the Colts and Titans failed to reach a result.The rest of the draft order can be seen here, with the top 20 spots now set. The Titans enter the 2019 NFL draft with a hole on the interior of their offensive line. They decided to move on from both of their starting guards this off season by allowing Quinton Spain to sign..."WhiteFanposts Fanshots Sections Tennessee Titans Podcast2019 NFL mock draft: An iOL in every round for TitansNew,61commentsCDTShareTweetShareShare2019 NFL mock draft: An iOL in every round for TitansJim Dedmon-USA TODAY SportsThe Titans enter the 2019 NFL draft with a hole on the interior of their offensive line. They decided to move on from both of their starting guards this off season by allowing Quinton Spain to sign with Buffalo and releasing Josh Kline. Both players struggled in 2018 as the interior of the offensive line took a lot of the blame for an underperforming offense. There were others factors that played a role in the offense’s struggles, but we can all agree that they need to do better next season. Signing Rodger Saffold in free agency is a big step towards improving, but they still need at least one more piece on the interior.If the 2019 season started today, either Kevin Pamphile or Corey Levin would be starting at RG. I’m not sure that’s ideal. Enter the purpose of this piece. Tennessee will likely add at least one IOL by the end of Day 2, and it wouldn’t surprise me if they decide to double down at the position at some point. Let’s take a look at prospects that could fit in every round.Round 1: Garrett Bradbury, C, NC StateLet’s be honest, Titans twitter would DRAG me if I put anyone else in this position. At least half of this fan base seems to be infatuated with Bradbury, and it’s easy to see why on tape. He’s a true technician and people mover in the run game. His hand placement and technique are incredibly advanced at this point. He also appears to be an excellent fit for the scheme the Titans want to continue to run in 2019. The center is such an important position, and Bradbury is very alert and attentive when playing it. He understands what’s going on around him. If there’s one knock on Bradbury, it’s that he isn’t overly powerful in pass protection. He can occasionally be found getting pushed back into the pocket. He has to get stronger in pass protection at the next level, but Bradbury would make a ton of sense at 19th overall.Here’s just one of many examples of Bradbury dominating his man at the point of attack. I love how often his opponent ends up on the ground on tape.Round 2: Michael Deiter, OG, WisconsinShould the Titans decide to pass on offensive line at 19, Deiter would be a heck of a consolation prize at 51. Don’t let his 6-foot-6, 320 pound frame fool you — Deiter is incredibly mobile for his size and does his best work when pulling. NFL teams love position versatility, especially on the offensive line, and Deiter has played tackle Ryan Succop Jersey White , center and guard throughout his career at Wisconsin. I personally thought he was much more comfortable at guard in 2018 than he was at tackle in 2017, and he should definitely make a living on the interior at the next level. Deiter is simply put a bully. He does a great job of latching his hands onto the chest plate of his opponents. If he’s successful in doing that, the rep is over and he’s already won. If there’s one knock on him, it’s a lack of length, but Deiter looks like a 10 year quality starter to me.Round 3: Dru Samia, OG, OklahomaSamia has a strong base. When he anchors, he doesn’t get beat by power. It’s that simple. He has a tremendous amount of strength in his core. Although I wouldn’t define him as a mauler, he does a good job generating movement in the run game. He moves his man from point A to point B and that’s good enough for me. Oklahoma ran some zone in 2018, so he’d be a decent fit for the Titans scheme. He’s also used to blocking for a mobile quarterback. Samia is certainly at his best when he’s asked to operate in space and use his athletic ability. He has starting potential on day one.Samia (#75) does a great job helping clear the way for this TD run.Round 4: Nate Davis, OG, CharlotteDavis is one of my favorite small school players in this entire draft class, regardless of position. Despite playing right tackle throughout his collegiate career, Davis told me that the plan is for him play guard at the next level, and it’s easy to see why. He generates a ton of movement in the run game thanks to a powerful leg drive. He’s also a very good athlete for his size and does his best work when he’s allowed to operate in space. He’s an incredibly powerful prospect and consistently plays forward. I think he’s better fit in a gap/power scheme, but he was quite decent when Charlotte ran zone as well. He’s going to get drafted earlier than some people think.Round 5: Ross Pierschbacher, C, AlabamaIf Tennessee is looking for a Day 3 guy that could potentially push Ben Jones in training camp, Pierschbacher makes a lot of sense. First and foremost, he has the ideal size and frame for the next level. Playing at Alabama means Pierschbacher is used to playing in big moments and against the best competition at his level. That will serve him well as he transitions to the pros. Pierschbacher’s biggest strength is his ability in the run game. His hand placement is incredibly effective in this area. He’s also a great fit in outside zone, where he consistently sealed up running lanes on tape. His transition to the Titans scheme would be seamless. His athletic ability leaves some to be desired, but Pierschbacher would make a lot of sense here.Round 6: Beau Benzchawel, OG, WisconsinAnother guard from Wisconsin? Their offensive line was that good in 2018. Benzchawel did his best work as a Badger when he was asked to get out on the boundary. He’s incredibly strong. Power is certainly his strongest asset. He’s a smart player who reacts well to what’s going on around him. He’s been battle tested. His understanding of angles and combo blocks is well advanced for a prospect. His tape is maddeningly inconsistent, and that’s why he’ll be available on Day 3. His hips are stiff and he allows his feet to betray him too often at this point, but Benzchawel has all the tools and work ethic to make an NFL roster.Round 7: Lamont Gaillard, C, GeorgiaA decent athlete who was the pivot for the Bulldogs offensive line in 2019, Gaillard represents a value selection on the backend of the 2019 NFL draft. He does his best work when asked to push defenders back in a phone booth. He’s a people mover in that sense. He’s incredibly powerful. He uses his hands well. The knock on Gaillard would be how badly he struggled when asked to get out in space. He was sort of awkward and clumsy when pushed out of his comfort zone. Still, with the right coaching and situation, I believe Gaillard has the potential to develop into a starting center at the next level.

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