Tag: Caleb Farley

Titans offseason preview at CB: Pending free agents, biggest needs

What should the Titans do at cornerback in 2024? We take a look at that and more in our latest offseason preview.

The Tennessee Titans had a tough year in coverage in 2023, leading to their sporting the No. 18 pass defense in the NFL.

The biggest problem? The play from the cornerbacks.

While slot cornerback Roger McCreary was consistently good, the rest of the cornerbacks room was not.

Kristian Fulton managed to stay healthy before landing on season-ending injured reserve but his play was riddled with poor coverage and terrible penalties.

Sean Murphy-Bunting was better than Fulton, for sure, but was not immune to boneheaded penalties and lapses in coverage. He did do enough, however, to be considered a candidate to be re-signed.

As far as the backups were concerned, Tre Avery was exposed when out there for extended periods of time, and UDFA Eric Garror was quietly oosted impressive numbers in coverage.

So, what do the Titans need to do at cornerback this offseason? We take a look at that and much more in our latest offseason preview.

All contract statuses are courtesy of Over the Cap.

Titans’ Caleb Farley talks injury issues, future in the NFL

While his future looks bleak, Caleb Farley is going to do whatever he can to get back on the field.

Tennessee Titans cornerback Caleb Farley has had no shortage of things to overcome during his three years in the NFL.

On top of dealing with injury issues that ended his first two seasons early and prevented him from playing at all in 2023, Farley faced even more adversity after the tragic death of his father last August.

The 25-year-old has tried to keep it positive with everything going on, but he admits things are not easy for him.

“That’s not how I always feel on the inside,” Farley said, per Jim Wyatt of TennesseeTitans.com. “But that’s how I choose to obey. It’s my faith. But I am human, like everybody else. All of this has been incredibly hard, since I have been in the league. But that’s what I have been told to do in my book here (the Bible), so that’s what I obey. And I do it because it does lighten the burden on me. Inside, it does help me get through these things.”

Farley’s latest injury issue came in the form of a herniated disc that required surgery.

While his back is better after a year off, the Virginia Tech product says he has a lingering nerve issue that remains a hurdle in his recovery.

“My back is fine,” Farley said. “Nothing in my back hurts. But there’s a nerve that has been affected at different times that has caused a lack of strength in my left leg. It is an odd situation.”

As Farley enters the final year of his rookie deal in 2024, he’s well aware that he’s facing a “do-or-die” and uncertain situation. He even admits he’s past the point of doctors being able to help him.

But he’s determined to give it everything he’s got in order to get back on the field and his love of football has not waned.

“I’m just going to push it,” Farley said. “It’s do-or-die for me. It’s now or never. I’m just going to push it, and whatever my body allows me to do, I’ll do. A lot of things are out of my control, but what I can control is my effort and how much I push it. That’s what I plan to do.

“I’m going into my last year. I haven’t really been able to play at all, healthy anyways. I’ve been fighting the situation, trying to get healthy for so long. The type of situation I have going on now, no doctors can help me. I don’t know what is going to happen with it, if it’s going to get better or not. I am just going to empty the tank, put as much effort in as I can and get my body as ready as I can.

“But I still love football,” Farley continued. “I always say I am going to play until the wheels fall off, so I am going put in the effort I need to. But I am confident. I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t think I could make an impact in this league, and that is what I am here to prove.”

Barring a turnaround of legendary proportions, Farley’s time in Nashville will be a major disappointment, to say the least. But it’s simply impossible not to root for someone like Farley, who has been a class act, through and through.

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Titans CB Caleb Farley won’t play in 2023

Titans head coach Mike Vrabel revealed on Friday that cornerback Caleb Farley won’t play in a game this season.

After being designated to return from the physically unable to perform list and returning to practice on Wednesday, it appeared there was at least a chance that Tennessee Titans cornerback Caleb Farley would play in 2023.

However, head coach Mike Vrabel shot down that notion on Friday when he revealed that Farley, who is still recovering from back surgery that ended his 2022 campaign early, would not get into a game this season.

“He won’t play this year,” Vrabel said, per Jim Wyatt. “But it’s good to get him out there, and continue to do the individual, to see some football, and then we’ll see where things go from there. It’s a testament to him to work hard to get back.”

The first sign Farley was a long shot to play came in the videos of him taking part in practice. It was abundantly clear that the 2021 first-round pick wasn’t moving at his best.

Then, on Thursday, Farley sounded like someone who wasn’t close.

“It’s a blessing to be out there but it’s still real difficult for me to run,” Farley said, per ESPN’s Turron Davenport. “I’ve got a lot going on with this nerve but I think I wanted to get out there to progress and kind of force my body to adapt and continue to get better.”

“Being out there is an extreme blessing and I’m thankful and grateful for it,” he added. “But it is a frustrating process being out there. I feel like (I have) a clipped wing. A bird can’t fly with a clipped wing.”

With Farley set to sit out the final three games, the Virginia Tech product has now played in just 12 contests over the first three years of his career. It goes without saying that 2024, which is the final year of his rookie deal with Tennessee, will be a huge year for him.

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Titans’ Caleb Farley on returning to practice: I feel like I have a clipped wing

Titans CB Caleb Farley spoke to the media on Thursday about his return to practice.

For the first time since being placed on injured reserve last season, Tennessee Titans 2021 first-round pick and cornerback, Caleb Farley, joined the team at practice on Wednesday.

After having season-ending back surgery last year, Farley started the 2023 offseason on the physically unable to perform list, where he remained through the start of the season.

But after being designated to return and rejoining the team at practice on Wednesday, Farley has taken the first steps to getting back on the field.

It hasn’t been easy for him, though. Farley said he’s still not all the way there yet and compared himself to a bird with a clipped wing.

“It’s a blessing to be out there but it’s still real difficult for me to run,” Farley admitted, according to ESPN’s Turron Davenport. “I’ve got a lot going on with this nerve but I think I wanted to get out there to progress and kind of force my body to adapt and continue to get better.”

“Being out there is an extreme blessing and I’m thankful and grateful for it,” he added. “But it is a frustrating process being out there. I feel like (I have) a clipped wing. A bird can’t fly with a clipped wing.”

Entering the 2021 NFL draft, Farley fell because of injury concerns after he had back surgery and a torn ACL in college, with the former issue being the bigger concern for teams.

Over his first two years in the league, Farley has now had yet another torn ACL that ended his rookie campaign early, and a back surgery (2022) that wiped out the remainder his sophomore campaign.

Combined with lackluster play when he’s been healthy, the outlook for Farley’s career is not good right now, but he still has another year under contract with the Titans to try and right the ship.

As far as this season is concerned, head coach Mike Vrabel said Farley will not suit up. For now, he’s focused on building some much-needed positive momentum the rest of the way and ahead of next offseason.

“It’s good for me to be out there to try to adapt and my body just kind of make this next step, building some momentum into the end of this season and OTAs, whatever,” Farley explained.

“I’m just showing up everyday to try to get better and push my limits and see what juice I’ve got in my left foot and my leg. That’s all I’m doing, is taking it day-by-day. I’m definitely not trying to rush nothing.”

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Titans CB Caleb Farley returned to practice Wednesday

Titans CB Caleb Farley returned to practice on Wednesday for the first time since the tragic death of his father.

Tennessee Titans cornerback Caleb Farley has returned to practice with the team for the first time since the tragic death of his father in August.

According to Jim Wyatt, Farley was on the practice field on Wednesday, which is his first practice of the 2023 season.

It remains to be seen if Farley will be able to play in Week 16 against the Seattle Seahawks, but first he’ll have to be activated from the physically unable to perform list, where he was placed during the offseason after undergoing back surgery.

Regardless of whether he plays or not, it’s great to see Farley back on the field after the unspeakable tragedy he went through over the summer.

If he can get back on the field, Farley has an opportunity to get plenty of snaps, as Tennessee is currently short-handed in the secondary after fellow cornerback Kristian Fulton was placed on injured reserve.

Not to mention, it would be good for Farley to get the reps so the Titans have a better idea of what they’re working with ahead of what will be an offseason that is sure to see plenty of change up and down the roster.

Farley has struggled mightily over his first two seasons in the NFL, both with performance and injury. As a result, his future with the team is in a bad spot, but he’ll have another season in 2024 to revive his stock.

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5 Moneyball trades Kwesi Adofo-Mensah can make

These players are ones that Kwesi Adofo-Mensah could be willing to trade for with a Moneyball approach

The trade deadline is coming up and the Minnesota Vikings have likely made themselves buyers with a 22-17 win over the San Francisco 49ers on Monday night.

It’s quite simple for the Vikings. They have played really well against quality opponents all season, but haven’t been able to finish the job. Why haven’t they been able to finish games? Lack of discipline, mainly with ball control.

The Vikings have turned it over 14 times this season while forcing just nine themselves with six of them coming in their last two games and seven of them forced in their three wins.

They are currently just 0.5 games out of a wild card spot and two games out of the NFC North division lead with five of their six division games still left to play.

Earlier this week, I explored players that the Vikings could target that could help the team immediately and in the future. Most of those were established players that would cost significant draft capital

However, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah has shown a willingness to gamble on talent and upside with the use of a Moneyball approach. He did so with Jalen Reagor and Ross Blacklock. I identified five players the Vikings could target to use the same philosophy.

Titans CB Caleb Farley unsure if he’ll play in 2023

Titans CB Caleb Farley admitted he’s not sure if he’ll be able to play in 2023.

It’s no secret that cornerback Caleb Farley has had a tumultuous tenure with the Tennessee Titans since being taken in the first round of the 2021 NFL Draft.

The Virginia Tech product was once described by some as a “generational talent” at the cornerback position due to his combination of size, speed, and fluid movement skills.

However, he was also deemed as a high-risk, high-reward player because of back issues, which turned a lot of teams off.

Tennessee ultimately decided to bet on the talent, but unfortunately those medical concerns have proven to be correct thus far in his NFL career. On top of the back issues, Farley also suffered a torn ACL during his rookie season.

Tennessee’s young cornerback has only played in 12 games in two-plus years and has struggled when healthy. He hasn’t seen the field yet in 2023 after he underwent another back procedure last year, leading to his being placed on the PUP list prior to the start of the season.

While rehabbing, Farley also had to overcome the tragic death of his father, who was killed in a house explosion in August.

Many were hoping this would be the year he finally gets back on the field and shows what he is capable of. As of right now, it remains unclear if the Virginia Tech product will be able to do that.

The former first-round pick talked to reporters on Wednesday, and he stated that he doesn’t know when he’ll be able to get back onto the football field and that “only God knows that,” according to Ben Arthur of FOX Sports.

Farley was then asked about the process and if he’s specifically seen any progress made over the last few months.

“The process has just been very slow,” he admitted. “[I’m] just continuing to work on the strength of my legs, making sure my core is healthy, and just let all the signals get back to firing correctly.”

The Titans cornerback then refused to discuss the details of the trials and tribulations of his rehab and why it’s taking so long for him to return to action but did say he is improving.

“I haven’t really gotten into the details, and I probably will never,” he said. “But it’s just weird, it’s just tough, you just got to keep working every day. And I’ve been improving, so there’s good signs there.”

Needless to say, these aren’t exactly encouraging updates, but for everybody involved, let’s just hope Farley can get back on the field sooner rather than later.

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Titans CB Caleb Farley rejoined team on Thursday

After the tragic death of his father last month, Titans CB Caleb Farley returned to the team on Thursday.

For the first time since the tragic death of his father, Robert, Tennessee Titans cornerback, Caleb Farley, has returned to the team.

Farley was spotted in the locker room on Thursday and expressed his gratitude for the support he’s received from his teammates.

While he’s back in the building, Farley, who is recovering from back surgery, is currently on the physically unable to perform list, meaning he has to miss the first four games of the 2023 campaign, so we won’t see him on the field until Week 5, at the earliest.

Farley’s father was tragically killed when the cornerback’s house exploded on the evening of Aug. 21. Investigators have since determined the cause of the explosion was natural gas.

A 2021 first-round pick of the Titans, Farley has played in just 12 games over his first two seasons in the NFL, tallying 14 tackles and one pass defensed. He’s expected to play a backup and special teams role upon his return.

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Saints vs. Titans series history: Who owns the all-time record?

New Orleans Saints vs. Tennessee Titans series history: Who owns the all-time record? Once-rare meetings have developed into a fun rivalry:

We used to go through entire generations of NFL players without the New Orleans Saints and Tennessee Titans competing against each other. The two teams met once every three years until the league expanded in the early 2000’s, at which point those games were spaced out in four-year increments.

That changed radically in 2021 with the introduction of a 17-game schedule that put more AFC-NFC matchups in the rotation. The Saints and Titans have used that opportunity to forge a fun geographic rivalry. They’ve split the last four games 2-2, with the Saints losing a close one 23-21 in 2021.

The Titans own the all-time series record at 9-6-1, going back to their early franchise history when they were still known as the Houston Oilers. Preseason games aren’t often remembered but the Saints have played more of them with the Titans franchise (30) than many other teams.

It’s interesting to see a rivalry kind of organically develop here. Nashville is easier for Saints fans to visit than most NFL cities, being a seven-and-a-half hour drive from New Orleans (with some flights clocking in at just a few hours). And when they haven’t been competing on the field the two teams have been often targeting the same players in the offseason, like cornerback Caleb Farley in the 2021 NFL draft or free agent wide receiver Adam Humphries in 2019. Janoris Jenkins landed with the Titans after leaving the Saints. So did Kenny Vaccaro.

And so did their longtime nemesis Julio Jones. The Saints weren’t able to cut a trade for Malcolm Butler back in the day and he wound up signing with the Titans. Former Saints head coach Jim Haslett was on Mike Vrabel’s coaching staff for a few years before he took over the XFL’s Seattle Sea Dragons. You see all these connections? That’s history.

Hopefully the Saints can get a win on Sunday to tip that all-time record a little closer in their favor. It’ll take some time to even things out completely, but a victory at the Caesars Superdome this week would go a long way.

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Report: Titans’ Caleb Farley to start season on PUP list

Titans CB Caleb Farley will reportedly start the season on the PUP list.

Tennessee Titans cornerback Caleb Farley will reportedly start the 2023 campaign on the reserve/physically unable to perform list.

The news comes from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. Farley, who underwent back surgery in December, will miss the first four games of the season as a result.

As Rapoport notes, Farley is dealing with personal tragedy at the moment after the passing of his father, Robert, who was killed when Farley’s house exploded on the night of Monday, Aug. 21.

“What’s most important is that we do everything that we can to support him, emotionally, teammates, coaches, organization,” head coach Mike Vrabel said, per Jim Wyatt of TennesseeTitans.com.

“Just shocking. But also, (we have) to focus on Caleb (Farley) and his family and what we can do to support them and be here for them,” Vrabel added

Farley was drafted in the first round of the 2021 NFL draft, appearing in 12 games over two seasons. Unfortunately, he’s struggled with injuries in that time, with a torn ACL in 2021 and the back surgery in 2022.

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