Music City Miracles
The time between when OTAs end and training camp begins is the one time when the NFL news cycle grinds to a halt. Pretty much everyone in the league- executives, coaches, and players is taking some time away to gear up for the upcoming season. That leaves the media to make lists ranking players in the upcoming season.
ESPN put out their list of defensive tackles in the league. Tennessee Titans defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons comes in at #2 on that list. That’s less disrespect than the NFL Network’s top 100 players, where he was ranked 83rd, but it is still disrespect. Leonard Williams was ranked ahead of him. They supposedly talked to “executives, coaches, and scouts.” There’s not a single one of those people who would trade Simmons to get Williams. I know that’s not a perfect measure, but come on. Simmons is pretty easily the best defensive tackle in the league.
Pro Football Focus has its list of quarterbacks, and Cam Ward came in 29th, one spot behind Tua Tagovailoa. Look, you won’t find many bigger fans of Tua than me, but again, come on. Tua might not even be the starter in Atlanta. If Ward has the season that I expect him to have in Brian Daboll’s offense, he will shoot up these rankings next July.
PFF also has its running backs list, where Tony Pollard ranked 21st. It will be interesting to see how the carries are divided this season between Pollard, Tyjae Spears, and rookie Nicholas Singleton. My guess is that Pollard will be less of a bellcow back this season than he has been in the last two.
