Titans’ Jeffery Simmons may have tipped inside information to Chiefs before SNF
Tennessee Titans star defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons may have leaked inside information that killed Tennessee on Sunday Night in Kansas City. With Titans starting quarterback Ryan Tannehill listed as a game-time decision with an ankle injury, Mike Vrabel and the Titans coaching staff made an attempt to use a little gamesmanship and gain an edge. […]
Tennessee Titans star defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons may have leaked inside information that killed Tennessee on Sunday Night in Kansas City.
With Titans starting quarterback Ryan Tannehill listed as a game-time decision with an ankle injury, Mike Vrabel and the Titans coaching staff made an attempt to use a little gamesmanship and gain an edge.
Tannehill was listed as "limited" during the practice week, and even traveled with the team to Kansas City. From an outside perspective, it genuinely looked as if Tannehill was going to be a game-time decision for the Titans.
Not announcing a starting quarterback until moments before kickoff might have been an intentional move to keep Kansas City on their toes. Force the Chiefs to game plan as if Tannehill would be out there, giving them less time to get ready for a much different Malik Willis led offense.
Just one problem.
According to Kansas City Chiefs star defensive tackle Chris Jones, the Chiefs defense received inside information from Jeffery Simmons that actually gave them the edge, instead of the Titans.
"No we weren't surprised," Jones said about Willis getting the start at quarterback. "I talked to Jeff Simmons earlier during the week. You know, you gotta pick their brain. We knew that he was going to play. Tannehill was in a boot, so we prepared for [Willis] well."
So much for the element of surprise.
Both Jones and Simmons played their college ball at Mississippi State University. Jones left the year before Simmons arrived in Starkville, but it's possible the two have an existing relationship based around their college roots.
Either way, this one is rather baffling. That kind of information should always be kept close to the vest, especially when there's been such an emphasis within the organization on keeping everyone guessing.
Simmons has some explaining to do.
Image via George Walker IV / Tennessean.com-USA TODAY NETWORK
