Tennessee Whiskey

Any chance to visit Nashville, is always a good time. Good vibes; good music; good food; and some good whiskey. DeAndre Hopkins was visiting and must have had a strong dose of that good ole whiskey to stay and sign a two year contract to play for the Titans with Ryan Tannehill as his QB. All up in that sauce, man. The Titans? The Titans!?

The DeAndre Hopkins sweepstakes had been runnin' since May. Back in May, Hopkins explained his thought process and the things he was looking for in contract negotiations. Hopkins stated his desire to play with an elite QB; his desire to play with a top tier defense/defensive line; and stable management. The QB room for the Titans is molded by a good leader who can't crack the top 15 at the position; a failing day two draft pick; and a rookie QB that is being outperformed by that failing day two draft pick. Doesn't really speak an elite QB room to me. Hopkins did have the explaining that he wanted to work with a QB that loves the game and brings everyone together. That he gets with Tannehill. I won't sit here and degrade Tannehill as a player and teammate. Tannehill is a great leader who helps in whatever way he needs to as a teammate. A key point I made when I was evaluating any future success for Will Levis. Even Malik Willis for that matter. Most of Tannehill's aid as a teammate comes with a headset on, not from elite play on the field. Tannehill just lacks elite skill. Plain and simple. Tannehill has proven time and time again, that he isn't a starting QB to a championship team. Which is why Hopkins never would of had the idea to spit Tannehill's name out when he was giving this desire list.

The other two "desires"? Lets start with defense. Wants a top defense alongside his O. Very solid defense for the Titans. Last season the defense gave up the least amount of rushing and passing yards across the NFL. Good strengths, no doubt. Despite those two good points, the Titans D was one of the worst defenses on 3rd down & the secondary was weak- as QBs had a 93 QBR when facing the Titans' defense, last season. Middle of the road type of defense in my opinion going into next season. Keeping Jeffery Simmons was huge for that defense. They aren't a top defensive unit, at the end of the day. That's fact. Good defense, for sure, But, Hopkins desired a TOP defense. Tennessee does not have a top defense. Now lets look at management. Turnover flip in the front office? Well, they just hired a new General Manager in January. X that one too. Interesting decision here, Mr. Hopkins. Interesting indeed.

The Titans' offense looks awful on paper. The two wideouts alongside Hopkins, will be Nick Westbrook-Ikhine & Treylon Burks. When you consider Hopkins, you may read that and think that may not be a big deal whatsoever, as Hopkins' best seasons in Houston had similarities. Cecil Shorts and Will Fuller aren't any more talented in the hindsight than those 2 cats. Let's not act like we are getting that same Hopkins, though. Be real. Sure, first season with the Cards, he goes and puts up 1400 with 6 scores. That was before the two seasons he just had, that were plagued by an injury and a suspension. D-Hop hasn't seen a season of 11 or more games, since 2020. That plays a big part in what to expect this season. So, having weak skill players around him, will play a different song in his age 31 season, than it would have in his prime. King Henry also is no longer prime King Henry. Henry isn't a "weak skill player", but he isn't going to be the NFL's best running back this season. Henry and the rushing attack had taken some hits backwards, last season. Will Henry still play a part in helping Hopkins generate opportunities to make plays? Absolutely. Just look at all the other variables. Yes, there is moving parts in every aspect of running a team. I educated my opinion around taking in part those other variables. Now I have the understanding of how that offensive line looks, and knowing Tannehill's struggles with a collapsed pocket: I don't see the combo of Derrick Henry/DeAndre Hopkins being the feared duo that they would have been 4 years ago. I think DeAndre should have went with the cap he led us with. Should have mixed his words with his actions and decision. His pockets think I am a dumbass. I feel that. But we were talkin' about winning, remember? Want to be on a contender type talk. Signing with the Titans isn't that. This career talk. It's a career/money decision. He should have led us with that narrative, from the get go.

In no way; shape; or form, do I think this is a bad move for Tennessee. I only dislike it for Hopkins. Great move for the Titans, smartly bringing in a household name who has dominated the WR position for most of their career. It's also a great move outside of the immediate impact on the field, as Hopkins will bolster the young skill players on the team & the WR room in whole. D-Hop will make Treylon Burks' job easier, and will help him reach more potential in his sophomore season than he would have before the addition. The transaction is great, but it does leave me with a question: so cheap you pick a outdated 31 year old wideout over a prime AJ Brown? I mostly am left with the question due to their past experiences with a signing like the Hopkins signing. Need a quick reminder:

Those sure didn't work out. I mean sh**, is this not a Andre Johnson part two coming? Moss. AJ. Julio. All of 'em failed in the Titans' colors. There is literally a slogan that says: "Tennessee is the place where WRs go to die." A slogan and everything, and these cats really think to try and change this narrative, again? Mmm. I don't have the chips available to bet on their confidence. I'm not saying Hopkins is washed, but now he's going to be washed. Maybe I will be wrong; or maybe Tennessee really is the place- where wide receivers go to die. At least D-Hop will have some more coin to spend on that awesome Tennessee whiskey & some coin to spend on a nice locker that he can hold all his cap!

---

Follow our Socials and my personal Twitter:

Twitter: @SpittinCap & @djp_spittincap

IG: @spittin_cap

XXII is dropping soon on all platforms, apologies on the delay. Poor audio issues, stay tuned!

Make sure to click the heart and leave a like... share for others to read

Opinion. Fact. Or Straight Up Cap.