NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Frank Piraino was bound to go. After three years where the Titans used at least 85 players a season because of an onslaught of injuries, the strength and conditioning coach, who became director of sports performance along the way, paid the price.

His three assistants remain behind on Brian Callahan's new staff, the bulk of which was announced Tuesday. Brian Bell, Tyler Rouse and Haley Roberts are likely to be judged by Piraino's replacement, running the weight room for players who are  working at team headquarters.

Is the strength and conditioning program likely a piece of what has been wrong for the Titans? Sure.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The traditional Monday comparison of the Titans to the new Super Bowl champions doesn't fly given the rebuilding situation in Nashville and all we don't know about what Brian Callahan's first version of the team will look like.

But we can certainly look at the gap between the Tenessee and the now two-time defending champion Chiefs and see some of the ingredients that are missing and sure seem needed in a Lombardi Trophy winner these days.

The quarterback problem

The first is Patrick Mahomes, and good luck with that. He's a one-of-a-kind quarterback and you're not finding his equal. Who's beaten him head-to-head? Tom Brady twice and Joe Burrow. Odds are better that you piece together a great defensive game, get good quarterback play, and squeak by than you outplay him at QB. Add Juwan Jennings TD' throw into what Brock Purdy did and the passing game was roughly a wash in Super Bowl LVIII in terms of passer rating.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Roles are set for two of Mike Vrabel's assistant coaches who Brian Callahan will keep on his staff.

Chris Harris will remain the cornerback coach/ passing game coordinator and Justin Outten, who was the running back coach/ run game coordinator last season, will move to coach tight ends. Jeremy Fowler reported long-time Washington running backs coach Randy Jordan is coming to Nashville.

By MIKE HERNDON, columnist

The last two seasons of Titans football have consistently featured one glaring problem that Mike Vrabel and staff were not able to solve – offensive line performance. Only the Giants and Bears have allowed a higher sack rate over the last two years than Tennessee’s 10.6 percent.

That result is simply not compatible with winning football. Among the ten teams with a sack rate allowed of more than 7.5 percent, none have compiled a winning record over the last 34 games.

Given the statements and interviews provided by Amy Adams-Strunk, Ran Carthon, and Brian Callahan since the latter’s hire two weeks ago, it’s safe to say that Tennessee’s new direction features a heavy emphasis on passing the football on offense. To do that, the Titans will need to protect the passer much better than they did during the last phase of the Mike Vrabel era.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – As the evolution of NIL continues to create issues and debate in the college ranks and alter football at that level, there is a trickle-down effect for the NFL.

With transfer portal possibilities on top of the ability to make money off name, image and likeness available on campuses, fewer underclassmen are declaring themselves eligible for the draft.

One hundred thirty players did so as recently in 2021. This year it’s less than half that -- 54. With 76 fewer players on draft boards – though not all necessarily draftable – good scouting takes on an even bigger premium.

Titans president of football operations Chad Brinker acknowledged that on a recent episode of the team's podcast.

“We’re seeing because of NIL, some of these players who could potentially be your third, fourth-round type player, still premium picks, deciding to go back to school,” he said. “They are making pretty good money playing college football.”

But he also hit a couple of times on another interesting point:

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Where the Titans are heading now sounds great. But as president of football operations Chad Brinker described much of it on the team’s official podcast, it sure made it seem like the franchise has been operating in the dark ages.

Based on some of what he said, you can’t help but ask how ownership and management allowed the Titans to get where they are.

Yes, much of what Brinker said sounds good, sound and sensible – though quite difficult with all the people and departments that need to buy in and pull together. I understand the enthusiasm, but the organization needs to temper it a bit, I think, based on the timetables Brinker spoke of.

I like him in the bit I’ve chatted with him and it’s all encouraging. But what the hell have they been doing that there is so much work for him now?

A few things that struck me:

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Hjalte Froholdt played in eight games for the Patriots in 2019 after they spent a fourth-round pick on him, but he didn't start any and was waived before Week 12.

The Texans claimed him, but things didn't pan out there either. Froholdt's agent had one destination in mind for him at that point: Cleveland.

Joe Panos of Athletes First helped convince offensive line coach Bill Callahan and the Browns to sign Froholdt during the 2021 season.

"If I have a guy that I need developed, a dude who's on the street who needs a job or an undrafted guy, I will 100 percent sell him to Callahan," Panos said. "Because I know he can develop him.

"Froholdt is a perfect example. I sell him to Cleveland. He's on the practice squad. He made the 53. Started playing. Started starting. And now he's the starting center for the Cardinals. Ask him. It's Bill Callahan who got him there. One hundred percent."

After news broke that Brian Callahan was able to get the Browns to release his dad, Bill, to join the Titans as their offensive line coach, I spoke to Panos and Pro Football Hall of Famer Alan Faneca about him. 

NASHVILLE, Tenn. With Dennard Wilson coming to Nashville to be Brian Callahan's defensive coordinator, per multiple reports, the future of Shane Bowen becomes murky.

Callahan held on to Bowen as a potential DC as he saw how his search unfolded.

He landed a young coach who's got great experience working with top-flight defensive backs with the Rams, Jets, Eagles and Ravens. He's connected to Ran Carthon from time together with the Rams.

In Baltimore, players loved him and found him relatable while fellow coaches respected him.

Bowen had interviewed in Jacksonville and with the Giants, and while New York has not hired yet there doesn't seem to be momentum there.