How the Titans should have scouted Rashad Weaver; more details about alleged incident

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – In their Monday afternoon statement, the Titans said they learned that morning about an April 18th allegation against fourth-round pick Rashad Weaver that resulted in a misdemeanor assault charge.

pitt weaver rashad 2

Courtesy Pitt athletics

Weaver is charged with one count of simple assault in Pittsburgh’s magisterial district court, per the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. He is due in Municipal Court for a hearing on Oct. 5.

Here is a basic narrative of what happened that I obtained from Pittsburgh police:

WeaverNarrative

Before the alleged assault outside, following an argument at the Foxtail bar, the criminal complaint quoted Weaver telling officers “that he had no problem hitting a female if they needed it.”

Per the Post-Gazette: One witness said she saw a punch and another said she did not see a punch but saw fall to the ground in addition to the officer saying he did not see an injury consistent with a punch to the head.

In a later follow-up by police, Demetia Navhjelis told police she went to the hospital three days after the alleged incident because she was throwing up and that she was diagnosed with a concussion.

In the scouting process, teams traditionally have a scout or someone in the personnel department check in with prospects in the days before the draft. They double-check phone numbers and agent information, see if there is any updated or new injury information and see if anything else has changed.

Something like Weaver’s police interaction an allegation against him should come up in such a conversation. 

Among scouts with fives other teams, three knew about the allegation against Weaver prior to the draft and two did not.

The Titans’ Northeastern scout, Patrick Calloway, would probably have the primary responsibility for Pitt while national scout Mike Boni has oversight in the East.

College scouting director Jon Salge, vice president of player personnel Ryan Cowden and director of player personnel Monti Ossenfort all have a hand in the blanket coverage of the process under Jon Robinson’s oversight.

The Titans may have known about the accusation and made a determination that Weaver did not do what he’s said to have done.

If that’s was the case, they should have had a plan to be proactive rather than reactive with the news because they appear caught off guard and unprepared.

Just a year after busting on Isaiah Wilson at pick 29 for what appeared to be a massive intel failure on his character, even the appearance of insufficient homework on Weaver is a terrible look for them.