Morning Wrap: Titans vs. Jets--The Brawl for Last Place (But What An Ending!)

((ht: cbssports.com))

So there weren't exactly a whole lot of highlights late Sunday afternoon when the putrid New York Jets took on the hapless Tennessee Titans.

Outside of the last play of the game, a wild attempt at re-creating the Music City Miracle, perhaps the best video of the game came here.

Jets QB Geno Smith and a slew of Jets lineman exchange some words. One of them slaps Smith's helmet, bringing his teammates out onto the field.

Some more words were exchanged. And that's when the punches flew.

Video from CBSSports.com:

But, just as wild was the end of the game as the Titans- in the first-ever NFL game to finish 16-11 got nine yards away from another Music City Miracle...

Charlie Whitehurst to Dexter McCluster- who lateraled back to Nate Washington. He then found Whitehurst again across the field, who eventually lateraled to a streaking Delanie Walker.

Walker was that close...
((HT: NJ.com/Charles Curtis' Vine))

Bironas BAC Comes Back .218

((HT: WKRN-TV))

Toxicology reports have come back in the initial inquests into the death of former Tennessee Titans kicker Rod Bironas have come back and the news isn't good at all...

.218- or almost three times the legal limit...

A low level of Valium was also detected in his system.

The report also concluded the 36-year-old died from blunt force trauma received after he lost control of his car a mile from his home back on September 21st.

Here's the latest on Bironas
WKRN News 2

The investigation into the crash is still ongoing...

The Bironas Saga Is Getting Odd...

((HT: WKRN-TV))

The wife of former Tennessee Titans kicker Rob Bironas called local Nashville Police to consider him missing just before his crash. Rachel Bradshaw thought her husband had gone to bed and, when she couldn't locate him inside their home, called to file a police report. The report was being filled out over the phone when the news of the crash came to the NPD.

Bironas was traveling at a high rate of speed about a mile from his home Saturday night when he lost control of his car in a curve, struck a line of trees and overturned in a culvert.

His autopsy was completed Monday and his body was released. Toxicology results, however, could take weeks to get back.

Here's the look at the accident report from Andy Cordan
WKRN News 2

Jim Wyatt's article in the The Tennessean presents a troubling picture of the moments before where Bironas allegedly threatened two Belmont University students in another car and may have tried to run another car off the road entirely.

Connor Fraley relayed what happened:

"His window was down, and we pulled up and I said, "Hey man, just a heads up, something's burning from your exhaust. Your exhaust smells horrible, just wanted to let you know,'' Fraley recalled telling Bironas. "He looked over at me and said "I'm going to kill everybody in your (expletive) vehicle. It was so random, so bizarre I was like, "What?" And he said the exact same thing again."

Bironas apparently went from that confrontation to another involving a married couple in another vehicle.
They were the ones who called 911 after their confrontation and they also happened on the crash of Bironas' car.

Former Tennessee Titans Kicker Rob Bironas Dies In Crash

((ht: newschannel5.com))

Former Tennessee Titans kicker Rob Bironas was found dead late Saturday night after a single vehicle crash in Nashville, Tennessee.

The 36-year old Bironas is the all-time leading scorer in Titans history and was known as one of the most clutch kickers in the NFL.

According to our friends at Newschannel 5 in Nashville, police say Bironas's GMC Yukon went off the road at a high rate of speed, crashed into some trees, flipped and landed in a drainage ditch less than a mile from his home.

They tried to get him to Vanderbilt's Memorial Hospital but he passed away en route.

Bironas, who began college at Auburn and then transferred to Georgia Southern, started his pro career in the Arena League.

In 2005, he won a job with the Titans and was voted all-pro in 2007 and 2008. The Titans released him before the 2014 season began.

He was active in the Nashville community through his charitable foundation which provided opportunities to under privileged kids throughout the Metro Nashville area.

Bironas was married former to NFL star Terry Bradshaw's daughter Rachel this past June.

Our friends at NewsChannel5 provide video:

Mike Munchak Fired By Titans After All

So, the rumors of Mike Munchak sticking with the Tennessee Titans were just that: rumors.

The Titans made it official on Saturday, announcing they've fired Munchak after 3 seasons at the helm.

Munchak leaves with a 22-26 record, but the part that gave the Titans pause was the team was not getting better. They by no means were the worst team in the NFL, but they never showed improvement and did not make the playoffs in any of Munchak's 3-years.

There are rumors circulating that Munchak was told in order to keep the job, he needed to overhaul his coaching staff. And supposedly, he wouldn't do it. But nobody has been able to confirm that actually happened.

He's also been connected with the head coaching job at his alma mater--Penn State. The Nittany Lions have been narrowing the candidate field with word leaking out yesterday that University of Miami head coach Al Golden will interview for the job, as will--allegedly, Vanderbilt coach James Franklin.

We are guessing Munchak will be added to that list.

Penn St Narrows Coaching Field: Golden and Others To Interview (Update: Golden Offered or Not)

UPDATE 5:00pm 1/3/14:

CaneSport.com reports Al Golden has been offered the Penn State job. If so, take what you read after the CaneSport tweet, with a grain of salt....

CaneSport has confirmed that Al Golden has been offered the head coaching job at Penn State. While expected to take it, no word yet from Al
— CaneSport (@CaneSport) January 3, 2014

However other reports say no. That it hasn't happened.

This isn't what they mean by casual Friday you guys. RT @djoneshoop NO ONE has been offered job. Report was wrong.
— Ben Jones (@Ben_Jones88) January 3, 2014

So who do you believe?
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earlier Story:

So who is it? Al Golden? James Franklin or Mike Munchak?

It depends we guess, on who's website or "expert" you believe in...

Reports are flying fast and furious that Penn State is quickly closing in on a new head coach.

The latest report....it comes from ESPN.com's Joe Schad who says University of Miami head coach Al Golden (a Penn State alum) has agreed to an interview:

Penn State source said Al Golden agreed to speak about the opening as early as today because "It would be coming home."
— Joe Schad (@schadjoe) January 3, 2014

And, there's more...

CoachingSearch.com, a very well connected website with lots of inside scoop on coaching moves, reports that Vanderbilt head coach James Franklin will be interviewed on Sunday.

Read that in their daily ticker RIGHT HERE

And ESPN.com's Brett McMurphy adds that Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Munchak, also an alum, and currently still in charge of the Titans, is also going to be interviewed for the gig.

So, does any of this make sense to you?

Golden, does because of his ties. And his apparent love for his alma mater. This despite an arguably better job with a very high profile team.

Franklin however does NOT make sense. Yes, he's from the area, but why would he leave an SEC team that he's had huge success with to take another rebuilding job? Sure, that SEC job is Vanderbilt and yes, Franklin's name comes up for every high profile job. But we just don't think this one makes sense.

As for Munchak, much like Golden, he makes some sense. He's got ties, he's now got the coaching experience. No, he hasn't been incredibly successful with the Titans, but he hasn't been a failure either. You don't often hear of NFL coaches with jobs stepping back, but the Titans are still evaluating Munchak's job and whether or not he'll still have it next season.

Expect something to happen fairly quick. We're guessing Penn State will wait until after Monday's BCS title game to make the announcement, unless it leaks first. But we are very confident it will happen soon and one of these guys is likely to be the hire.

DEVELOPING: Matt Prater Is The New Record Holder

((HT: NFL on CBS))

Matt Prater is now the answer to the trivia question after Jason Elam and Tom Dempsey held the NFL record for longest field goal made at 63 yards...

He dropped one in from 64 yards just before the half in the home game against Tennessee


Well done, sir...

Titans Owner Bud Adams Passes Away

The end of the "Old School" NFL owner is close at hand.

One of the AFL owners (pre-AFC) and current owner of the Tennessee Titans, Bud Adams passed away over the weekend at his Houston home.

Bud Adams was 90-years old.

Adams signed on to buy and run the Houston Oilers at the beginning of the AFL, which started playing in competition with the NFL in 1960. The two leagues would eventually merge in 1970.

Adams popularity in his hometown, Houston soared in the 70's as the Oilers rode star RB Earl Campbell and coach Bum Phillips to multiple conference championships, though they never played in a Super Bowl.

However, that popularity ended quickly when Adams made the decision, after years of flirtation, to leave his home town and move his franchise to Nashville. A move that shocked the people of Nashville almost as much as it did the people of Houston.

He cut all ties and kept the Oilers name while transitioning the team in Nashville to become the Tennessee Titans in 1996.

As someone who was living--and working in Nashville at the time of the move, it was a surreal experience. I actually attended a press conference on a cold February night in 1996 at the Nashville mayor's office to make the "announcement". I didn't believe my assignment manager when I was given the task.

Adams finally got his Super Bowl wish in 1999-2000, when the Titans won the AFC Championship game only to lose a nailbiter to the St. Louis Rams.

He'll be remembered by the NFL as one of their most unique and in their minds loyal owners, ever.

An odd bird by any recollection, in his later (last couple) of years, Adams may very well be most remembered for this in 2009:

Titans Rookie Saves Family While En Route to Training Camp

((ht: cbssports.com))

What is they say? "All in a days work for a superhero?"

That's what people are saying about Tennessee Titans rookie and former Clemson start Jonathan "Tig" Willard after he helped get a woman, her 3 kids and the family dog out of a burning car.

Willard was on I-40, making his way from South Carolina to Titans training camp in Nashville at the time.

Read more about Willard's exploits from Tigernet.com RIGHT HERE

Willard did a phone interview with WPDE-TV describing what happened, check it out. And oh, the photo in the video, that came from him (Willard) as well.

Man arrested for selling counterfeit Titans tickets

The answer is: WHY?

Tony McKibben

The question? Why would a guy from Georgia try selling fake tickets to last weeks Titans/Bears game?

Did he not see the outcome? (Tennessee lost 51-20) Did he think people would want to pay $100 to see the Titans play? Are tickets for one of their games really going for $100?

All legitimate questions. And quite honestly, they are ones the 46-year old Tony McKibben now has to answer since he was arrested at Sunday's game and is now facing multiple charges.

And just to keep the Sports in this story, the now 3-6 Titans, facing threats from owner Bud Adams of a complete overhaul, head to Miami next week where we suspect tickets, might be a little harder to find.

Titans Murdock Dead In Apparent Suicide

((HT: WTSP-TV Tampa))

Tampa police are investigating the apparent suicide of Tennessee Titans wide receiver OJ Murdock...

He was found early this morning in his car which was parked in front of Middleton High School in his home town.

Murdock's college career was checkered with time spent at South Carolina and Marshall before being a Division II standout at Fort Hays ((KS)) State. He was not at Titans camp as he was on the Reserve/Not Reported List...

The Titans released the following statement...

"We are shocked and saddened to hear of O.J. Murdock's death this morning. In his brief time here, a number of our players, coaches and staff had grown close to O.J., and this is a difficult time for them. He spent the last year battling back from an Achilles injury as he prepared for this year's training camp. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends as they try to cope with this tragedy."

Here's the breaker...

More when we know more...

Kenny Britt in trouble with the law...again

Kenny Britt

((ht: 104.5 The Zone))

You may be asking yourself "Who is Kenny Britt?". Though if you are a fan of the Tennessee Titans or keep track of athletes under arrest, you are probably very familiar with him.

Britt who is on track to break all records for most times arrested by an NFL Football player, had his latest brush with greatness late Thursday night.

That's when Britt was arrested for DUI at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. (Just over KY border, about 45 minutes from Nashville)

In the car with Britt was cornerback Tommie Campbell and a female soldier at the base according to 104.5 The Zone radio in Nashville.

For what its worth, Britt has been rehabbing from knee surgery and when healthy...or not in legal trouble, has been the Titans best Wide Receiver. And while the Titans say they are "Evaluating" the situation, this may in fact be the last straw.

If you are curious about Britt's track record, we suggest you do a Google search, as for us, it's enough to say from New Jersey to Nashville, his arrest record is rather lengthy. (And yes, we know they aren't felonies--but 'Stupid is as Stupid Does' and it's time to send the guy a message)

Developing: Mike Heimerdinger passes away

Heimerdinger with Jeff Fisher

((ht: tennessean.com))

Former NFL assistant coach Mike Heimerdinger passed away Friday night in Tijuana, Mexico after battling cancer for the past year.

Heimerdinger, 58, had been diagnosed with a "Small-cell, fast moving" cancer in November while serving as the offensive coordinator for the Tennessee Titans. He missed one game and came back to finish the season.

He had been receiving treatments at a couple of hospitals and went as far as Tijuana to get treated for the disease.

Read more from the Tennessean.com RIGHT HERE

Funeral arrangements have not been made for Heimerdinger who spent most of his career with the Titans. He briefly left to coach with the Jets and Broncos before returning to Nashville.

He was very popular with his players and a close friend of former Titans coach Jeff Fisher, who told the Tennessean, "I lost a really, really good, true friend".