Tag: T’Vondre sweat

Titans’ T’Vondre Sweat corrects Brian Baldinger: Nickname is ‘Meatloaf’

Titans’ DT T’Vondre Sweat appreciates Brian Baldinger’s nickname but prefers the one his Godmother gave him: Meatloaf.

Tennessee Titans rookie defensive tackle T’Vondre Sweat made waves with his performance against the Chicago Bears on Sunday. He may not have recorded any numbers on his stat line from that game, but his presence was felt by Caleb Williams and the rest of the Bears’ offensive line.

His performance was strong enough that NFL analyst Brian Baldinger called Sweat “T-Pain” after the game. But Sweat actually prefers a different nickname.

https://twitter.com/glennonsports/status/1833963531525652636

Looking through the comments, you can find this video of him explaining how he got his nickname.

When asked where he got the name, Sweat replied, “My Godmom.” And someone then asked if it was related to the dish, to which he said, “No, the crazy thing is I was playing a basketball game, I was playing in a basketball game when I was young. Outta nowhere she’s like, ‘Get him, Meatloaf!’ Since then, that’s been my nickname.”

So, the answer is no, Sweat did not get the Meatloaf nickname from eating a ton of meatloaf as a kid. Instead, his Godmother gave him the name randomly during a basketball game.

Whether you like T-Pain’s innovative and industry-changing use of auto-tune or Meat Loaf’s wide-ranging vocals and acting chops, T’Vondre Sweat’s athletic prowess is as unmatched as the talented artists he’s now referred to. He is fast drawing the attention of teams around the league who need to prevent him from disrupting their offense, and analysts are touting him as the next big thing defensively.

Sweat’s talents will be badly needed against the New York Jets on Sunday, and it will be interesting to see how the Jets handle Meatloaf’s power and athleticism.

‘He’s a dawg!’ Titans’ T’Vondre Sweat earns high praise

Tennessee Titans defensive tackle D’Vondre Sweat garnered some high praise from teammates and experts for his performance.

The Tennessee Titans defense was dominant at times Sunday during the 24-17 loss to the Chicago Bears. Not only did it stifle the Bears’ rushing attack, but it also kept rookie quarterback Caleb Williams off-balanced and frustrated most of the day. 

One player that stood out was defensive tackle T’Vondre Sweat. Sweat was a beast throughout the game and was a force in the middle. The Titans’ young standout even received praise from analyst Brian Baldinger in his “Baldy’s Breakdowns.”

While he didn’t light up the stat sheet, showing 38 snaps and two quarterback pressures, his presence in the middle of the line made an impact that went beyond the stat sheet. The Titans’ 2024 second-round pick dominated the interior and forced the Bears to run the ball away from his area.

In the coming weeks, he should become even more comfortable in the system and even more dynamic. More importantly for the success of the defense, his continued growth should allow for fewer double-teams on standout Jeffrey Simmons as they develop into a fearsome duo. 

It’s hard not to overreact after a week, but with Sweat and Simmons on the defensive line, it’s hard not to envision success for the Titans defense. That growth will continue Sunday as the Titans prepare to face the New York Jets in Week 2. 

 

Titans rookie earns breakdown from legendary NFL analyst

Titans’ rookie drawing praise on “Baldy’s Breakdowns.”

Titans rookie T’Vondre Sweat is already catching eyes around the NFL.

The massive defensive tackle was the Titans’ second-round selection in the 2024 NFL Draft and should immediately play a key role in the defense.

This weekend, legendary NFL analyst Brian Baldinger singled out Sweat as a player he will be studying. Baldinger, known for his “Baldys Breakdowns” series, was watching Sweat’s preseason tape and was impressed by how the DT “takes up space.”

https://twitter.com/BaldyNFL/status/1829898481529733225

Baldinger is a respected football mind, so catching his eye already is a great sign for Sweat.

During his final season at Texas in 2023, Sweat racked up 45 tackles, eight tackles for loss, and two sacks. Sweat was considered to be one of the top defensive linemen in the 2024 NFL Draft, and the Titans jumped on the former Longhorn in the 2nd round.

Sweat will be relied upon heavily as a rookie, starting next to Sebastian Joseph-Day and Jeffery Simmons on the Titans’ front.

Sweat and the Titans will kick off the 2024 season on September 8 against the Chicago Bears.

Jelly Roll sings with T’Vondre Sweat at Titans meeting

A surprise guest dropped in a Tennessee Titans team meeting

The mystery guest of the day isn’t at the Democratic National Convention. Rather, he appeared at a Tennessee Titans team meeting.

Jelly Roll rolled into the gathering and provided a duet — a huge one — with rookie T’Vondre Sweat.

Mr. Roll also provided an inspiring speech for the AFC South team.

Jelly Roll visits Titans, sings with T’Vondre Sweat

American musician Jelly Roll visited the Titans on Thursday and sang with defensive tackle T’Vondre Sweat.

The Tennessee Titans got a surprise visit from Tennessee-native and award-winning musician Jelly Roll on Thursday. Head coach Brian Callahan introduced him to the team after practice.

Jelly Roll starts with a song, but first he’s heard that Titans’ rookie defensive tackle T’Vondre Sweat wants to sing with him, so he brings the 6-foot-4, 362-pound tackle down to the front and they sing a few bars together.

After Sweat goes back to his seat, Jelly Roll talks about growing up in Antioch, Tennessee. He remembers when the Titans first arrived in Memphis, and he attended the first game. He also said that he comes from a family of bartenders, and once the Titans came, things changed.

“So as soon as the Titans came, we knew that Sunday was a money day,” he said. “I want y’all to think about that, too, when y’all go on that field Sunday, that y’all’s impact is bigger than on the field. It’s happening all around the city. That the vibrations of this are touching everywhere.”

He continued to talk about how the Titans’ impact extends far beyond the 65,000 people who show up on Sundays, that the whole city is counting on them. You could hear the pride in his voice when he talked about going down the wrong path but finding the right one again and getting to bring his daughter to a game the same way his dad brought him.

Because of his past, Jelly Roll knows there’s a juvenile detention center right across the street from the stadium. He aims to be the first person to bring the two sides together and do something really special to help kids see a brighter future.

At the conclusion of his short speech, Jelly Roll shook hands with a few players and hugged Callahan before departing.

Titans rookie T’Vondre Sweat showing up big in training camp

Titans rookie T’Vondre Sweat showing up big in training camp, answering pre-draft questions about his fitness and dedication

T’Vondre Sweat is a very large human. While playing at Texas, the defensive tackle used his massive frame very effectively but inconsistently. Sweat’s promise led the Tennessee Titans to select Sweat with the No. 37 overall pick in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft.

Sweat was often projected as a likely first-round prospect before concerns about his weight and dedication to football, plus a DUI arrest, caused him to slide into the second round.

Some of the early reviews on Sweat from Titans camp are easing the fears about the 360-plus-pound defensive tackle. He’s looking engaged and polished for a rookie who missed the early offseason work.

This quick review from Titan Sized’s Will Lomas aptly sums up the reports coming out of Tennessee on Sweat,

Since the pads came on, it has become clear that even good NFL linemen are going to struggle to maintain their anchor against Sweat.

It’s early, of course, but so far Sweat seems to be everything the Titans wanted from their second-round pick.

Titans rookie T’Vondre Sweat surprises his Mom with brand new home

Tennessee Titans rookie defensive lineman T’Vondre Sweat surprised his mom with her dream home in Houston this week.

Tennessee Titans rookie defensive lineman T’Vondre Sweat has made it well known how much his mom means to him. A self-proclaimed “mama’s boy,” Sweat has taken it a step further by buying his mom her dream home.

Lashunda Ross entered her new home carrying flowers and watching a video from her youngest son.

“I just want to thank you a lot for all you have done for me,” Sweat, wearing a Titans shirt, said from Nashville, where he’s in the middle of training camp. “I can’t be more thankful for a mom like you. Everyone in the world already knows you’re special to me. I just want to say: I love you, I love you, I love you. I want to thank you for everything you’ve done for me since I was a little kid with my other two brothers.”

And…

“Mom, I just want to say: I finally got the house you wanted. Dreams do come true. I can’t appreciate you more. And, I hope you love your new home.”

Growing up, Sweat said his mom often worked multiple jobs to make ends meet, yet she never failed to show up at his games.

“My mom, she’s special. I love her to death, and I respect her so much. She’s a very, very, very strong woman, and she’s sacrificed so much. I can’t say in words how much I appreciate my mom being in my life, so I’m happy I can do this for her. And, for all the guys out there: Love your moms, man, because you only get one.”

Titans believe LB Kenneth Murray Jr. can take defense to another level

Kenneth Murray Jr. is fired up and ready to “wreck s–t” with the Titans in 2024.

Kenneth Murray Jr. looked like a future star after his rookie season for the Los Angeles Chargers in 2020. The first-round pick started all 16 games and recorded 107 tackles, and looked like a potential franchise cornerstone.

Things began to trend downward in 2021, with Murray suffering an ankle injury that ruined his season. Over the next two seasons, Murray only missed two games but was far from a dominant presence on the Chargers defense.

Los Angeles declined Murray’s fifth-year option in 2023, and he’d have arguably his best NFL season. Murray tied a career-high with 107 tackles and also had three sacks and an interception. However, with the Chargers hiring a new coach, Murray would headed elsewhere.

Tennessee signed Murray to a two year deal worth $15.5 million contract in the offseason. If Murray becomes the player Tennessee believes he can be, that could prove to be a bargain.

What does Titans inside linebackers coach Frank Bush think Murray will bring to the defense?

“What we’re going to allow him to do is just turn himself loose within the system,” Frank Bush said via John Glennon of Nashville Post. “I mean, there are guys all around him, so that he doesn’t have to be a hero. You got Jeffery Simmons in front of you; you’re going to be okay. You can just be free to flow and do some of the things we do.”

Murray never played behind someone like Jeffery Simmons. When you add in massive rookie T’Vondre Sweat, Murray could have a career year. Remember, Murray is only 25 years old.

Murray is excited about his role with the Titans.

“Honestly, when you just know they’re putting you in a position to go down and just wreck stuff and wreck s–t, that’s what I love,” said Murray. “I definitely felt they put me in that position, and I’m definitely coming in with the mindset of trying to prove s–t. I’m trying to get s–t done. I love it. Love the way they’re calling it so far and look forward to getting better every day.”

The Titans made a lot of offseason changes, but Murray could prove to be one of GM Ran Carthon’s more shrewd additions.

 

Titans’ T’Vondre Sweat on missing spring sessions: ‘Ask the head coach’

When asked why he was sidelined throughout the spring, Tennessee Titans second-round pick T’Vondre Sweat snapped back: “Ask the head coach.”

The Tennessee Titans kept rookie defensive tackle T’Vondre Sweat sidelined for a large portion of organized team activities (OTAs) and all of minicamp, but the second-round pick returned on Wednesday as training camp kicked off.

Sweat took the field alongside his teammates and performed about as well as could be expected.

“My first day, it was great really,” he told reporters after practice, via The Tennessean. “Just coming out here and doing what I love, really. It’s great just being out here and having another opportunity.”

But why did he miss so much time throughout the spring? Sweat wasn’t keen on offering up any details.

“Ask the head coach,” he said.

Brian Callahan wasn’t available to members of the media on Wednesday, so that question will have to wait. For now, Sweat insists he’s a full go even though he appeared gassed at times, which drew some ribbing from his offensive teammates, reports Jim Wyatt of TennesseeTitans.com.

All eyes were on defensive lineman T’Vondre Sweat at the start, considering we didn’t see much of him in the offseason. The team’s second-round pick showed some pretty good footwork on the bags, and he said afterward he felt good. Some of Sweat’s offensive teammates razzed him a little bit at one point later in practice about being tired, but there were several guys feeling it on the first day back.

Sweat and the Titans will return to the field on Thursday for their second training camp practice and perhaps the team’s beat writers will get a little more information out of Callahan.

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Why Titans aren’t concerned about T’Vondre Sweat’s readiness for camp

Titans DL T’Vondre Sweat has missed a lot of practice time this offseason, but the team isn’t worried about his readiness for training camp.

One of the bigger storylines for the Tennessee Titans this offseason has been the absence of second-round pick and defensive lineman T’Vondre Sweat from spring practices.

After taking part in rookie minicamp, Sweat, who is slated to have a starting role in Year 1, hasn’t been on the practice field since as he deals with an injury. Thankfully, the issue isn’t serious and Sweat is expected to be ready to go for training camp.

While that’s all well and good, the concern is that a bunch of missed time could slow his growth, which is always a worry for a rookie.

Adding to that concern, the Titans have to hope that Sweat will be in shape when the most important part of the offseason rolls around.

When it comes to Sweat’s readiness, both in terms of his health and conditioning, head coach Brian Callahan isn’t concerned.

“I’m not concerned, no” he said, per AtoZ Sports. “(The injury is) just one of those things that sort of lingered on him a bit. Don’t anticipate it being a long-term issue for us, but didn’t have any sense to rush him out here, not feeling perfect.

“He’ll get his work over the summer. He’s got a plan in place and I’m confident that he’ll execute it. Biggest thing for him is working still and getting in shape, ready to roll. He’s obviously working, not in front of everybody, but he’s here working. He’s not getting the full feel of work, but he’s here and he’s getting his work in. Anticipating him being ready to roll and we’ll see what he’s got in training camp.”

But health and conditioning are just two parts of what Sweat needs to be ready, as he’s also got to have a handle on the defense. On that front, Sweat should be OK because, as defensive line coach Tracy Rocker pointed out, he’s a fast learner.

“The biggest stride was, when he got here, he caught on fast,” Rocker said, per Jim Wyatt. “He learns very fast in the classroom. Then we got on the field, implemented everything we do defensively (and he) was really good. It was good, felt good about it, but we had to slow it down a little bit and now we’ll wait until training camp and go from there. But that was a positive thing for him.”

The Titans will report to training camp on July 23, with the first practice scheduled for July 24. Sweat will no doubt be in the spotlight when the time comes.

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