Ex-Colts DB talks trash to Titans after Julio Jones trade

If any AFC South team other than the Tennessee Titans or Indianapolis Colts emerge as division champions in 2021, then something has gone extremely wrong with the algorithm.

That would mean either Deshaun Watson returned under center Week 1 and every single bargain bin free agent Nick Caserio signed this offseason boomed spectacularly, or Urban Meyer had a resurgence unlike any other, led by Trevor Lawrence and assistant coach Tim Tebow.

With all due respect to these theories and possibilities, we’re going to reserve much of our trash talk this season for Tennessee, an opponent that just got significantly mightier — though hardly unbeatable — with the addition of Julio Jones to their wide receiving corps.

Given an impossible decision between rooting for Jones to go to the Patriots or Titans, Colts fans were likely dealt the shorter end of the stick this past weekend. That’ll only make their eventual triumph all the sweeter, though.

Former Indianapolis DB Vontae Davis spoke for all of us on Twitter this week, trying to ignite the Titans’ disrespect complex ahead of the two teams’ Week 3 battle at Nissan Stadium.

Colts DB Vontae Davis trolled the Titans after the Julio Jones trade.

Davis was a member of the Colts secondary from 2012 through 2017, famously departing to Buffalo in 2018, walking out at halftime, and never coming back. During his time in Indianapolis, he was a major participant in (unfortunately) only two AFC South championships, with the team going back to back in 2013 and 2014 under Andrew Luck.

At that point, Chuck Strong was clearly a more powerful force than anything they were cooking up in Nashville; Tennessee didn’t win an AFC South title between 2008 and 2020, when they narrowly eked their way past Indianapolis thanks in large part to the Colts’ Week 1 pratfall against Jacksonville.

When ex-Titans DB Ryan Mouton tried to remind Davis of recent history, he wasn’t hearing it.

And that’s how you should treat Titans fans until proven otherwise, Indy. Respect the talent. Respect the recent pedigree. But don’t go thinking for one second this thing is a wrap because a team with Derrick Henry and AJ Brown added a 32-year-old wideout on the back nine while losing Corey Davis and Jonnu Smith.

Until Jones can rush the passer like Jadeveon Clowney, the Colts have as good a chance as anyone of emerging from the division — and conference — this season.

3 advantages Colts would still have if Titans trade for Julio Jones

The Colts shouldn't be all doom and gloom if Julio Jones ends up with the Titans, as they still have several advantages over their rivals to the south.